There has been an increase in carjacking incidents in many city neighborhoods, according to reports, a worrying trend that is likely part the overall increase in violence in the city during the pandemic.

A very brazen armed carjacking attempt took place on Wednesday, April 21 near 46th and Pine Streets, which led to an arrest of three suspects. The incident took place at 3:30 p.m. on Pine Street in front of the Garden Court condominium, according to reports. The male victim, a Garden Court resident, had just placed an item in his parked car when he was approached by four masked young males, each armed with a gun, according to police.

The suspects took the car keys from the victim and his wallet, got in the vehicle and sped off. The victim was able to hide his phone and called 911 immediately after the incident. Police responded within a few minutes and spotted the stolen vehicle nearby. After a pursuit the vehicle crashed into a fence on a dead end street and three out of the four suspects were apprehended when they tried to flee the crash scene.

Here’s a tweet about the incident by Matthew Gillespie, Commanding Officer of the 18th Police District, which includes images of the stolen vehicle, a Mercedes Benz SUV, and the confiscated weapons:

Seven minutes after 4 males (all armed w/guns) car jacked this vehicle @ 4600 Pine. @PPD18Dist PO’s saw, chased & caught the offenders. Excellent work making these arrests & recovering the weapons they used to commit this crime! @PhillyPolice pic.twitter.com/8Doz1fOp1M

— Matthew Gillespie (@PPDMGillespie) April 22, 2021

There has also been an uptick in license plate thefts, which is possibly connected to an increase in carjackings, as reported by 6ABC. Check out this tip on how to prevent a license plate being stolen from your vehicle:

We’ve seen an uptick in license plate thefts, here are some tips for prevention! pic.twitter.com/YEEQwraXJG

— PPD 18th District (@PPD18Dist) April 21, 2021