US Congressman Henry Cuellar carjacked in Washington
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The armed assault comes amid concerns about an increase in carjacking in the DC area, which added that this was not the first incident this year that an acting US lawmaker has been assaulted.
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In this Sept. 13, 2017 file photo, Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, speaks with reporters outside the West Wing after a bipartisan meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, in Washington. (AP)
US Congressman Henry Cuellar was carjacked in Washington DC's Navy Yard neighborhood on Monday and his car was hijacked, according to Politico, citing three individuals familiar with the situation.
The Metropolitan Police Department and the Capitol Police have not responded to requests to comment, but Cuellar's office confirmed that the representative for Texas's 28th congressional district was attacked but was not injured.
Politico noted that Cuellar's office said the city's alert system notified residents of an investigation into a carjacking of a Honda SUV carrying Texas license plates.
The armed assault comes amid concerns about an increase in carjackings in the DC area, per the report, which added that this was not the first incident this year that an acting US lawmaker has been assaulted.
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In a statement, Cuellar's chief of staff, Jacob Hochberg, said: “As Congressman Cuellar was parking his car this evening, 3 armed assailants approached the Congressman and stole his vehicle. Luckily, he was not harmed and is working with local law enforcement. Thank you to Metro PD and Capitol Police for their swift action and for recovering the Congressman’s vehicle".
According to CNN, the congressman's sushi dinner, phone, iPad, and car were stolen in the incident, around 9:32 p.m. Monday night.
