A quick stop for gas turned into a nightmare for a Martinsburg family on Sunday, when a man pulled a gun on them at a station off Shepherdstown Road and drove off in their vehicle, investigators said. The victims, two adults and a young child, followed his orders to get out of the car and were not hurt, according to authorities. Deputies say the stolen car later surfaced in Maryland, where the same suspect is accused of pulling off a second armed carjacking.
Suspect Bolted Across State Line, Deputies Say
Berkeley County Sheriff Rob Blair told WEPM that the family was parked at the Shepherdstown Road gas station when the man walked up, pointed a firearm, and demanded they get out. Witnesses described him as a tall Black man with dreadlocks, dressed in all black and carrying a backpack with what looked like a sword sticking out of it. As reported by WV MetroNews, deputies say the suspect abandoned that first vehicle in Maryland, then allegedly carjacked another one there at gunpoint.
Maryland Chase Cut Short Over Safety Fears
"They did the right thing," Blair said of the family’s decision to comply, crediting them with keeping the child safe. He told the radio program that Maryland officers later chased the vehicle toward Baltimore but called off the pursuit when it became too dangerous, according to WV MetroNews. Investigators in Berkeley County are now working with Maryland law enforcement as they track leads in both carjackings.
How To Report Tips
The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who saw what happened, spotted the suspect, or has usable dash-cam or doorbell video to contact investigators. Tipsters can call the sheriff's office at (304) 267-7000 or submit an anonymous tip online, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office. Officials say more details will be released as they are confirmed, and are urging residents not to approach the suspect but to call 911 immediately if they see him.
What The Data Show
High-profile cases like this can make it feel as if carjackings are spiraling, but national numbers tell a more complicated story. A year-end analysis of larger U.S. cities found that reported carjackings actually dropped sharply in 2025, even as some communities still see alarming incidents. According to the Council on Criminal Justice, carjackings in its sample of cities fell by about 43% that year. Local investigators noted that community tips and camera footage often make the crucial difference in tracking down suspects quickly.
The investigation remains active, and deputies say they are following up on multiple leads. Anyone with information is urged to contact the sheriff's office. This story will be updated as authorities release new information.
