WASHINGTON — A member of Congress was carjacked Monday night in Southeast D.C., police said.
At 9:30 p.m., the Metropolitan Police Department confirmed there was an armed carjacking that occurred at the intersection of K Street and New Jersey Avenue, Southeast.
Investigators say a white Honda CHR with Texas tags RYL-2900 was stolen from a member of Congress. The congressman told reporters his car was recovered in less than two hours.
WUSA9 confirmed that the carjacking victim was Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX). His office says he was not injured and is doing OK. Chief of Staff for Cuellar released a statement following the carjacking Monday night:
“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.”
Cuellar was on Capitol Hill Tuesday morning and spoke to the media.
"I certainly appreciate the good work the police did last night," Cuellar told reporters Tuesday. "Everything was recovered, my phone, my car an everything."
The investigation into the armed carjacking is active and ongoing. DC Police said Tuesday that they are assisting U.S. Capitol Police, who have taken over the investigation, according to a spokesperson for MPD.
“We have a number of leads,” said U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger. “Our investigators are focused, determined and working around the clock.”
A witness told investigators three men in knit caps and ski masks were involved. The witness said those involved may have been around the age of 16 due to their build.
According to DC Police's crime data, carjackings are up 108% this year compared to the same time in 2022.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at (202) 727-9099 or by texting the department's tip line at 50411.
The Navy Yard area where the attack happened has been heavily redeveloped and includes a lot of apartment buildings where lawmakers live. It's also blocks away from the Navy Yard Metro station.
Cuellar is in his 10th term in the House. He was one of the Democrats who joined Republicans in blocking D.C.'s criminal code reform legislation earlier this year.
Cuellar is the second lawmaker to be the victim of a crime in D.C. this year. Back in February, Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig fought off an attacker in her apartment building using hot coffee.
RELATED: Rep. Craig on attack: 'He wasn't going to let me out of that elevator if I hadn't fought my way out'
Craig said even before being attacked, she worried about her safety as a politician.
"Unfortunately, members of Congress and many other elected officials have received a lot more direct threats," she said.
In June, a congressman's staffer was also attacked during an attempted robbery.
RELATED: DC police search for suspects who attacked Minnesota congressman's staffer in attempted robbery
Rep. Brad Finstad (R-Minnesota) said a member of his team was attacked outside of his residence by a man armed with a gun. That attack also happened in the Navy Yard area, close to Nationals Park.