US congressman Henry Cuellar carjacked at gunpoint

Piece by: BBC NEWS
Crime

• US Capitol Police said in a statement that detectives were working to track down the suspects.

US congressman Henry Cuellar was held up at gunpoint

According to local media accounts, US congressman Henry Cuellar was held up at gunpoint and his automobile was stolen in Washington on Monday night.

Three armed individuals reportedly approached Mr. Cuellar, a Republican from Texas, as he was parking about a mile (1.6 km) from the US Capitol.

He wasn't hurt, and his car was eventually found.US Capitol Police said in a statement that detectives were working to track down the suspects.

The incident happened at about 21:30 (01:30 GMT) in the city's south-eastern Navy Yard neighbourhood.

As well as the car, the 68-year-old's phone and iPad were also taken, according to Mr Cuellar's chief of staff Jacob Hochberg. It is not clear if these have been returned.

The number of carjackings in Washington has been on the rise in recent years. In 2021, the local police department launched a taskforce to deal with the issue.

According to the latest police figures, there have been 750 incidents of carjacking in the city so far this year and 75% of these offences involved guns.

Mr Cuellar is currently serving his 10th term in the US House of Representatives for Texas' 28th congressional district.

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