An aide to Alabama Senator Katie Britt (R) was the victim of an armed robbery on Thursday evening, with the assailant making away with her vehicle, handbag, laptop, and other personal belongings.
The incident occurred around 8:20 pm in the vicinity of the 1200 block of E Street NE, as reported by WUSA 9. The female staffer was accosted on the sidewalk by an individual who, brandishing a firearm, demanded her purse and car keys.
In a statement, Senator Britt expressed gratitude to the DC police for their swift response. "We thank God that she is safe and sound after this terrifying incident, and we're grateful to the Capitol Police Department and Metropolitan Police Department officers who quickly and professionally responded to the scene," she stated.
Senator Britt also voiced her outrage at the escalating crime rates in the nation's capital. "It is infuriating and completely unacceptable that an American who is on Capitol Hill to serve her country cannot safely walk the streets of Washington, D.C. at 8:30 at night because of the out-of-control crime in this city," she said. She further highlighted the alarming statistics, noting, "Just look at the police departments own numbers this year, robberies are up 68% and motor vehicle thefts are up 102%."
She called on local officials to take decisive action, stating, "Local elected officials in the District of Columbia have the responsibility not just to their citizens, but to the country, to step up and get a hold of the crime crisis ravaging the streets of our nations capital."
This incident is not an isolated one. Several Capitol Hill workers have fallen victim to violent crimes this year. Earlier this month, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) was carjacked by "3 armed assailants," as confirmed by his staff. In June, a staffer for Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN) was assaulted by two men, one of whom was armed, while returning from the annual Congressional Baseball Game. In March, Phillip Todd, a member of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul's (R) staff, was stabbed in broad daylight near the capital.
The Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department's statistics reveal a disturbing trend. As of October 20, total violent crime has surged by 39% in 2023 compared to the same period in the previous year, with 4,324 incidents reported this year against 3,101 in 2022.
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