Diplomat's car theft near White House underscores DC's mounting crime wave| I-Team

WASHINGTON (7News) — A brazen car theft captured blocks from the White House highlights the international impact of Washington’s escalating crime wave.

7News has obtained video of a diplomat's car stolen in the middle of the day, from a foreign mission’s parking lot.

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Karwan Zebari, who directs policy for the Kurdistan Regional Government, expressed shock at the spillover of crimes in this area, considering its proximity to the White House. His personal car was stolen while he was working inside the foreign mission.

“Frankly this is shocking to see the spillover of crimes come this way,” Zebari said.

Zebari's experience is just one example of the District's broader crime crisis. More than 5,600 cars have already been stolen in D.C. this year; more than double 2022’s total. D.C. crime data shows many crimes committed across the city, including homicides, robberies, sexual abuse, and carjackings, have also seen significant increases year over year. D.C. Police emphasize car theft empowers other crimes, ranging from robberies and burglaries to shootings.

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Federal law enforcement agencies are also dealing with D.C.’s local crime spillover. The Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, and Capitol Police have all investigated or taken reports about local crimes committed on diplomatic property or affecting members of Congress and their staff. This includes the car stolen from diplomatic property, a congressman carjacked in Navy Yard, and a federal effort to break up organized money laundering operations in D.C.

The surge in violent crime has prompted foreign governments, including Mexico and Guatemala, to issue warnings to their citizens. The Mexican Consulate advised its citizens to take precautions when visiting the U.S. capital.

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In September, months after the 7News I-Team began tracking the theft at the foreign mission, D.C. Police found Zebari’s car. So far, no arrests have been made in the case. According to MPD arrest data, suspected car thieves are only arrested in roughly 15% of cases.