Ultimate Deterrent to Car Theft: Manual Transmission

Police Release Surveillance Video to Help Nab Would-Be Thieves

A stick shift prevented potential carjackers from taking a car from a Westfield Montgomery parking garage last week, police said. Now police are releasing surveillance video in hopes the would-be thieves can be identified.

About 9:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, a man was returning to his parked car inside a parking garage at the mall, at 7101 Democracy Blvd., when he was approached by the two suspects.

One demanded the victim’s car key and the other implied he was armed, police said. The two obtained the victim’s key, entered the vehicle, and started the car. Detectives believe that the suspects then realized that they could not drive a manual transmission.  Both suspects then fled on foot and were last seen on the second level of the parking garage.

Anyone who has information about these two suspects or this attempted carjacking is asked to call Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5100. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).  Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest or indictment.

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