On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, Winchester Police responded to the area of Berryville Avenue for a report of an attempted carjacking at approximately 3:39pm. The owner of the car reported that a male brandishing a knife approached the vehicle, started banging on the window, and attempted to open the door. Once the officers arrived on scene, the suspect had fled east bound on Berryville Avenue.
Officers received another call of a carjacking at McDonalds on Berryville Avenue at approximately 4:02pm. A witness stated she saw a male run up to the vehicle in front of her with a knife, stole it, and drove off.
As officers were gathering more information, they were advised that the suspect drove an SUV which was found on the entrance ramp of Berryville Avenue from I-81. A tow company was contacted to take the suspect vehicle back to the police department for processing. CID conducted a search of the vehicle, which was now unoccupied, and a wallet with I.D. was found. The suspect was identified as Jason Diego Abarca, 19, of Hagerstown, Maryland.
Officers were able to track the location of the stolen vehicle to Frederick County, where it was recovered. Jason Abarca is wanted by the Winchester Police Department for carjacking and destruction of property. If you have any information, contact 540-662-4131.
