Compared to 2022, vehicle thefts are trending down in all Arlington zip codes except one: 22202.
Crystal City and Pentagon City have emerged as a vehicle theft hotspot in Arlington County, accounting for about half of all stolen cars so far this year.
Vehicle thefts rose sharply in Arlington during the pandemic, reaching nearly 400 county-wide in 2022 — about an 80% increase over 2019. Last year saw a slight dip and a projection based on the first three months of 2024 points to a continued overall decrease.
The drop would be steeper if not for continued rising car thefts in Crystal City, Pentagon City and surrounding neighborhoods.
Whereas last year carjackings in that area made most of the headlines — though only a portion of the overall thefts — this year ARLnow has received numerous tips about a string of vehicle break-ins and thefts from apartment parking garages. The 22202 zip code is on pace for around 175 vehicle thefts this, up from 131 in 2023, 90 in 2022 and 33 in 2021.
The next-highest zip code for vehicle theft in Arlington is 22204 — the Columbia Pike corridor — which is on pace for about 75 thefts this year.
Isabella Gallegos, who lives in a building near the Costco and Amazon’s HQ2 in Pentagon City, says she recently was a victim of the ongoing series of car thefts. She returned from a trip out of town and couldn’t find her Kia Sportage in the building’s secure garage.
“We pay for resident parking with clicker access, so I’ve never really thought this would be an issue,” Gallegos told ARLnow. “At first, I thought I was losing my mind, but my roommate came down to help me and we were both bewildered. Then we went to talk to my building’s concierge, proceeded to call the line they put on the police page for towing, however nothing came up in their system. Then the Arlington police sent an officer to file a police report to report my car stolen.”
“The officer mentioned these things were common in Pentagon City,” she said of the theft, adding that she was neither able to get security footage nor much help from her building’s management. “I really want others to know what’s going on and that they’re not safe even in their building’s reserved parking.”
Arlington County police spokeswoman Ashley Savage tells ARLnow that the department is seeing many thefts involving Hyundai and Kia models specifically, in addition to the theft of vehicles from gig workers making deliveries.
“Thefts, including the stealing of vehicles, vehicle parts and items left unattended inside parked vehicles, are often crimes of opportunities,” Savage said. “The most common vehicle thefts reported to police include parked vehicles with keys left inside, Hyundai and Kia model vehicles where suspects bypass the ignition and start the vehicle after removing the steering column and vehicles running unattended (often delivery vehicles). No matter where you park, police encourage following the below crime prevention tips to help keep your vehicle and valuables safe.”
A week after first contacting ARLnow, Gallegos told us her car was spotted by police in the Ivy City neighborhood of D.C. and the man driving it was subsequently pulled over and arrested. In addition to a charge related to driving a stolen vehicle, the man was charged in a February robbery and shooting in Ivy City.
It’s unclear whether the car will be drivable again.
“It’s pretty trashed… still TBD if damage will be repaired,” Gallegos said.
To help curb local vehicle thefts, the Arlington County Police Department is holding a pair of events over the next couple of weeks to give away steering wheel locks and, in some cases, Apple AirTags.
Additionally, Savage offered the following theft prevention tips for residents.
Motor vehicle theft crime prevention tips:
- Close and lock all windows and door when you leave your vehicle.
- Do not leave your keys, fobs or valet keys in your vehicle. This includes a key to a secondary vehicle.
- Consider using a steering wheel locking device, aftermarket alarm systems or anti-theft devices.
- Remove valuables from parked vehicles.
- Never leave the area while your vehicle is running, even for a short period of time. Vehicles with keyless ignition systems can be driven for extended periods of time even if the key fob is not inside the car. Be sure to read your owner’s manual carefully and familiarize yourself with how to operate your vehicle’s keyless ignition system properly.
- Report auto theft immediately to police and include the make, model, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and plate number.
- Participate in the 9 P.M. Routine and encourage your family, friends and neighbors to do so too.
- Report observed criminal activity to police for investigation by calling the Emergency Communications Center at 703-558-2222 or 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Additional crime prevention tips for parking garages:
- Ensure security access points, such as locked doors, properly close behind you.
- Don’t let those you don’t know into your building or past security access points.
- Report any security maintenance issues, such out broken locks or inadequate lighting, to your building manager.