"Car theft is a serious problem – it is incredibly stressful and often costly and time-consuming for the victims, and it is dangerous to have these stolen cars on the road," Bowser said. "I encourage all DC residents who own a 2011-2021 Kia or Hyundai to pick up their free steering wheel locks as soon as possible from a District station to prevent theft. As MPD and our public safety partners work together to prevent car theft and hold accountable those who are stealing cars in our city, this is one way we can work together to proactively prevent crime."
A press release from Bowser's office states that a recent social media challenge "encourages using a USB cable to steal these types of cars" has led to an increase of Kia and Hyundai car thefts.
DC TEEN TRIES TO CARJACK 'GRANDMA' WITH CANCER BUT GETS BRUTAL REALITY CHECK: 'YOU GOING TO JAIL'
FILE - District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks during a news conference Nov. 9, 2022, in Washington. Amid rising crime rates and spiraling public tensions over gun violence, Bowser and the legislative branches are locked in a public dispute over the future of crime prevention in the nation's capital. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
According to data from Washington, D.C. police, carjackings are up by 112% when compared to the same time last year. So far in 2023, 1,035 carjackings have occurred, versus 489 at this point in time in 2022.
Most recently, a 15-year-old boy is accused of attempting to carjack a senior citizen who was leaving to go to chemotherapy on Feb. 17.
WASHINGTON DC-AREA APARTMENT BUILDING FIRE KILLS 1, DISPLACES OVER 400 RESIDENT
Mayor Muriel Bowser makes remarks as she and other dignitaries celebrate the opening of the new Metro headquarters building, in Washington, DC. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The woman told WJLA that she told the teenager he wasn't taking her car.
"Next thing I know, he walked up talking about, 'give me your keys, I got a gun.' I said, 'baby, you better shoot me, because you’re not taking my car," the woman said.
The attempted carjacking on Feb. 17 at around 8:30 a.m. in the 22nd St. neighborhood, according to the Metropolitan Police Department, adding that the 15-year-old suspect entered the senior citizen's vehicle "demanding keys" to the car. Police say that the victim attempted to pull the teenager out of the car while yelling for help from her family. (Google Maps)
A police report states that the teenager eventually had to be transported to the hospital for injuries "incurred by [the victims] family members."
Fox News' Lauren Blanchard contributed to this report.