NCJ Number
204854
Date Published
2003
Length
103 pages
Annotation
This report presents data and information on the number and characteristics of carjackings in Maryland for 2002.
Abstract
As defined in the Uniform Crime Reports Program, "carjacking" is "a robbery or attempted robbery where the primary objective is to obtain the victim's motor vehicle and the victim is in the vehicle or in very close proximity to the vehicle." In 2002 there were 771 carjackings in Maryland, a 6-percent decrease from the 824 carjackings reported in 2001. There were 887 victims in these carjackings, including 2 homicides. There were 1,231 offenders involved in these carjackings, and 48 percent of the offenders were between the ages of 15 to 26. Most of the victims were male (71 percent), and 66 percent of the victims were Black. Sixty-five percent of the victims were between the ages of 19 and 40. The weapon most often used in the carjackings was a handgun (used in 66 percent of the offenses). Prince George's County had 50 percent of the total number of carjackings. October was the month with the most carjackings (n=78); March recorded the least carjackings (n=52). The offenses most often involved parked vehicles (n=547). The location was most often "on street--not at intersection" (n=247). "Parking lot--shopping center" was the second most frequent location of a carjacking (n=118). Acura was the vehicle most often carjacked (n=27), followed by Cadillac (n=24). Information is also provided on clearances, time of day, and day of the week. Data are presented by municipality as well as county. Extensive tabular data