Teens Charged In Carjacking Of 72-Year-Old Woman In Bethesda: Police

BETHESDA, MD — Police arrested three teenagers in connection with in a carjacking on Tuesday in Bethesda, where a 72-year-old woman had her car stolen after getting tackled from behind.

The carjacking occurred early Tuesday morning in the 7700 block of Woodmont Avenue. The woman was walking to her car when the known suspects — an 18, 16 and 15-year-old — tackled her, according to police.

The teens demanded her car keys and personal property. Once the suspects obtained the victim’s property, they drove away in her 2023 Honda Fit, police said.

Officers located the Honda Fit at the intersection of Georgia Ave. and Seminary Rd. A traffic stop was conducted, and the three suspects were taken into custody.

The three teens were charged with carjacking, assault and robbery.

The 18-year-old, Joseph Frank De-La-Paz of Bethesda, was taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, police said.

The 16-year-old was charged as an adult and was also taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. At the time of this arrest, the16-year-old had an active arrest warrant for a carjacking on Nov. 8 in Rockville.

The 15-year-old was taken to a juvenile detention center. The 15-year-old has also been charged with an armed carjacking that occurred on Nov. 7 in Wheaton.