Hyattsville resident DeJuan Jenifer and 19-year-old Makiya Donohue of Silver Spring are facing charges as part of the ongoing investigation into a series of car thefts that have occurred in the area in recent weeks.

The fraudulent duo’s downfall came early Tuesday, August 13, when officers spotted them in a 2020 Kia Sportage that had a Florida license plate and had been reported stolen in Washington, DC the previous day.

Both were out on bail at the time for previous crimes.

According to police, Donohue was attempting to get into the car when Montgomery County Police officers approached him, setting off a chain of events that led to their recent arrests.

According to investigators, Jenifer tried to escape the police by reversing the car and hitting an Amazon locker, but he didn’t get far and both were arrested without further incident.

While searching the vehicle, officers also found a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol with one cartridge in the barrel in the driver’s seat where Jenifer had been sitting.

Jenifer was charged with auto theft, illegal possession of a firearm, and other auto theft-related offenses. He had previously been arrested on similar charges and was out on bail at the time of his latest crime.

Donohue was charged with auto theft and other theft offenses. She was also free on unsecured bail and both had warrants for their arrest in connection with several recent auto thefts.

Both are being held without bail at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

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