Couple carjacked at gunpoint in ‘bump and run’ style crash hoping to warn others of crime trend

23/11/2023

WASHINGTON (WJLA) — A startling crime in the DMV. Carjackers who are rear-ending cars to steal them, often at gunpoint. Police have reported several recent incidents,[1] with the most recent occurring Saturday, Nov.

18 around 11:30 p.m. in Northwest D.C. Harry Andreades, Elise Sidamon-Eristoff and her sister were driving on Foxhall Road when they were rear-ended. Sidamon-Eristoff pulled the car over.

Andreades got out to check the damage when he was suddenly met by a gun and multiple men in masks. I had a gun to my chest, one to my face, and they just said, ‘Give us everything you have,'” Andreades said. “I heard Harry’s voice, I looked up, I saw a gun pointed at my head,” Sidamon-Eristoff said. “At that point, I exited the vehicle and another man was heading for my sister who was in the backseat, so they pulled her from the vehicle.”

The couple told WJLA the incident played out in just minutes. “It happened so quickly, it took me a moment to register what was going on,” Sidamon-Eristoff said. “And I don’t think the shock wore off until after they had left, and we realized just how scary the situation was and that things didn’t escalate further.” The suspects had pulled up in a gray Lexus SUV.

Two of them left in the Lexus, while Sidamon-Eristoff said the other two suspects stole her vehicle. Everything inside the car was taken, including two priceless items. They were two identical rings, given to me by my grandmother,” Sidamon-Eristoff said. “One was for my sister, one was for me, blue stones.

It’s less of the monetary value and more of the memory, something that’s not replaceable. WJLA has reported on similar incidents across the DMV and reached out to multiple departments to see if they’ve seen a recent increase in these crimes. Fairfax Police shared the following statement on what they call “Bump and Run” style carjackings:

Fortunately, the Fairfax County Police Department has not observed an increase in these incidents. Over the past three months, we have recorded only one carjacking of this style, which occurred in September. While we recognize the gravity of these events, and they seem to be a concerning trend nationally, we want to assure you that Fairfax County has not experienced a notable uptick in such incidents.

We remain vigilant in our efforts to maintain community safety. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officials also reported a similar incident on September 18 in the 5500 block of Connecticut Avenue NW, where thieves rear-ended a car, then “pointed a black handgun” at the victim and “struck him on the left side of his head,” stealing his car keys and house keys. In another similar incident in January 2023 in Vienna, suspects also rear-ended a car and stole it at gunpoint.

A Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson noted the crime does not appear to be a prominent trend. However, WJLA asked MPD what residents should do if a simple crash does not feel right. Officers recommended taking the following actions:

Immediately calling 911 and asking for an officer to respond.
Sharing your location.
Gathering a description of the other vehicle involved.
Reporting any suspicious behavior to the call operator.
Remaining in your vehicle.
Crack the window if you need to let the other party know you’re waiting for the police.
Do not leave the scene unless you are in danger, otherwise, you will be responsible for a hit-and-run crash.
If you do leave the scene due to dangerous circumstances, communicate that to police, so they know where you are.

The car in Saturday’s incident was found abandoned in Southeast D.C.

Sidamon-Eristoff said she had hidden an Apple Airtag [2] inside. “I was able to use my phone with the assistance of the detective, and we actually found the vehicle abandoned about 30 minutes away from the crime site,” Sidamon-Eristoff said. The couple is now hoping to spread the word, “and tell as many people as possible.”

We would love to see some accountability for this crime, the police were mentioning to us that a lot of the individuals that were doing this are repeat offenders, are juveniles, and there often isn’t much accountability,” Sidamon-Eristoff said. “And it’s scary that the men who did this to us are probably back on the streets and finding other victims.

“The safety of citizens shouldn’t be a political issue,” Andreades said. “These are violent crimes, threatening people’s lives.”

Couple carjacked at gunpoint in ‘bump and run’ style crash hoping to warn others of crime trend

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