INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has formed a Carjacking Task Force within its Robbery branch to address the significant increase in carjackings in the first half of the year. The task force will be made up of IMPD robbery detectives, FBI Violent Crimes Task Force officers, and special agents with the FBI.
The department noted that there has been a surge in armed carjackings in 2021, with a 52% increase reported within Marion County from the year before. Many of the crimes were committed at gas stations and in parking garages. From January 1 through June 30 of this year, there were 112 carjackings reported in the county. Of those incidents, in only about 20 cases were suspects arrested. Over half of the suspects were juveniles, and of those, about a third were under the age of 16.
Carjacking is a serious crime and suspects arrested for the crime could face up to 15 years in prison if there is no serious bodily injury, or up to 25 years in prison if there is serious bodily injury. If a death results from the carjacking, a suspect could face life in prison.
Anyone with information about any carjacking is encouraged to call the IMPD robbery office at 317-327-3475 or by anonymously calling Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.
IMPD also offered tips on how to avoid being carjacked.
• Approach your car with the keys in hand. Look around and inside the car before getting in.
• Be wary of people loitering in the area.
• Trust your instincts; if something makes you feel uneasy, get into the car quickly, lock the doors and drive away.
While on the road:
• Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up (at least part-way), no matter how short the distance or how safe the neighborhood.
• Be especially alert when stopped at intersections, gas stations, ATMs and convenience stores.
• When you are coming to a stop, leave enough room to maneuver around other cars, especially if you sense trouble and need to get away. You should be able to see the rear tires of the car ahead of you.
• Drive in the center lane to make it harder for would-be carjackers to approach the car.
• Avoid driving alone, especially at night.
• Do not stop to assist a stranger whose car is broken down. Instead, help by driving to the nearest phone and calling police to help.
• Keep your cell phone in your pocket. If your vehicle is stolen, you will have a way of contacting 911. If your cell phone is left inside the vehicle, you will be stranded without a way to call for help.
When getting out of your car:
• Park in well-lighted areas, near sidewalks or walkways. Avoid parking near dumpsters, woods, large vans or trucks, or anything else that limits your visibility.