Carjacking In Front Of Fox 5's Bethesda Studios Investigated By Police

BETHESDA, MD — The Montgomery County Police Department is investigating a carjacking that occurred early Thursday morning in front of the Fox 5 DC studios on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda.

On Friday, police released surveillance photos of the suspect’s vehicle and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect.

At about 12:10 a.m. on Thursday, officers responded to the area of Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue for the report of an armed carjacking. A woman was parking her 2018 burgundy Hyundai Tucson SUV at the location when a dark-colored SUV pulled up next to her vehicle and stopped. According to Fox 5, the victim is an employee of the news station.

The suspect got out of the passenger side of the SUV and forced open the victim’s door, lifting his shirt to reveal a handgun, police said. The woman got out of her SUV and the suspect entered the vehicle and drove off, followed by the dark-colored SUV, according to police.

Along with the Hyundai Tucson SUV, the victim's wallet and phone were stolen, according to Fox 5. The suspect spent $80 on her bank account at a gas station in D.C. at some point after the incident, the victim told Fox 5.

"It feels surreal. Being behind the scenes and as you know, we report these stories, but you just never think it would happen to you. I’m still in shock. I’m still in shock," the Fox 5 employee told the news station.

The carjacking suspect is described as a Black male with a dark complexion, approximately 5-feet, 7-inches to 5-feet, 9-inches tall, 18 to 22-years-old, with a thin build. He was wearing a ski mask covering everything but his eyes, a hooded sweatshirt and dark-colored gloves, police said.

The suspect driving the dark-colored SUV is described as a Black male, about 18 to 22-years-old, with a medium complexion and locs that covered his forehead, according to police.

Anyone with information about the suspects or the carjacking is asked to call the Montgomery County Police Department’s Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or 240-773-TIPS or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects.