Staggering Increase in Carjacking Incidents in Louisiana

Carjackings on the rise in Louisiana at an alarming rate and they are happening at all hours of the day. State Attorney General Deputy Press Secretary Emmie Fuson said New Orleans has seen the largest increase in carjackings, up 120-percent in the first five months of the year compared to the same period in 2020.

“This is a really serious, and traumatic and often violent form of vehicle theft that’s plaguing our state. And we want people to know about it, we want people to be cautious, to heed this warning and keep their families safe,” said Fuson.

As for why there has been a staggering increase in carjackings Fuson said it’s safe to assume it’s happening because more people are back on the road and returning to normal day life, but most of all carjacking is a crime of opportunity.

“This opportunity being something that they can get away with quick, something that they can scare someone into giving them what they want. They’re looking for easy victims and what easier of a victim of someone not watching, someone not looking around,” said Fuson.

Fuson urges drivers to pay attention to their surroundings, have their keys and phone in hand when approaching their vehicle, park in a well-lit area, and trust their instincts. Fuson said if you find yourself a victim of carjacking remember a car can be replaced you however cannot.

“You need to make all efforts to get the kids or kid out of the car, you need to forfeit the vehicle immediately, you need to try to escape immediately if you are forced into a trunk,” said Fuson.

Also, familiarize yourself with the truck of your vehicle and the escape latch in case you do find yourself trapped and always report the crime to authorities as soon as possible.

Safety Tips to Avoid Carjacking:

Approach car with phone stored and keys in hand. Look around and inside the car before entering.

Park in well-lit areas clearly visible to the public. If possible, keep the car in a garage and always lock the garage door to the home.

Never leave valuables in plain sight. If possible, leave all personal property in the trunk of the car.

Trust instincts. Lock the doors immediately upon entering the vehicle and be wary of people approaching the car.

What to do if you are a victim of carjacking:

Make all efforts to get kid(s) out of the car. If child(ren) are in the vehicle, inform the carjacker and attempt to get kid(s) out of the car.

Forfeit the vehicle and leave the scene. Do not get back into the carjacked car.

Try to escape immediately if forced into the trunk. Use inside latch to open trunk or kick through the backseat.

Report the crime to law enforcement as soon as possible. Provide as many details as possible about the carjacker (sex, race, age, hairstyle, eye color, clothes) and any vehicles involved (color, make, model, license plate).