MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — A family in Berkeley County is okay after a carjacking. According to Berkeley County Sheriff Rob Blair, they were stopped at a gas station off Shepherdstown Road Sunday when a man came up to them and threatened them with a firearm. The victim says the man demanded the occupants exit the vehicle and threatened to shoot them if they did not comply. They got out of the vehicle and the suspect drove off.
“They did the right thing. They they let the individual take the vehicle,” Blair said on MetroNews Affiliate WEPM Radio’s Panhandle Live. “They were apparently there filling up a tire with air that had a almost a flat. That may have been the reason the individual made it to Hagerstown, ditched the car and apparently took another car by force, armed.”
The suspect has not been identified, but he was described as a tall, black man with dreadlocks wearing all black clothing and carrying a backpack. Witnesses said what looked to be a sword was protruding from the top of that backpack. The suspect drove the vehicle to Maryland, then abandoned it before he was accused of carjacking a second vehicle at gunpoint. Law enforcement in Washington County, Maryland gave chase.
“It is my understanding that Maryland authorities were in pursuit of that vehicle, I believe headed towards Baltimore when they cut the pursuit off because it became so dangerous,” Blair said.
Blair said the family did the right thing.
“In situations like that you you want to protect your family. This was a male, a female, and a young child. There were some threats made. They did the right thing. They’re safe. No one was injured to my understanding and hopefully we get this individual identified quickly so he can cause no harm to anyone else.”
The investigation remains ongoing and investigators are actively pursuing leads.
The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident, observed the suspect, or has any information related to this investigation to contact the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office at (304) 267-7000. Information may be provided anonymously online, as well. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.