Shift Happens: Manual Gearbox Thwarts Teen Carjackers’ Plans To Steal Subaru WRX

While carjacking is never acceptable, it’s certainly not a smart move to attempt it without knowing how to drive the stolen vehicle. Two teenagers in Maryland learned this the hard way when their failed carjacking attempt led to their arrest by the police

The incident occurred last Saturday at a gas station in Germantown, Maryland. A Subaru WRX owner was ready to take off when two teenagers grabbed his keys and forced him out of the car. Despite the victim’s cooperation, the carjacking attempt ultimately failed due to a critical oversight on the part of the attackers.

Like many drivers in North America, the carjackers were unfamiliar with driving a manual transmission. When they realized that the Subaru had three pedals and a stick, they got out and started running. We can only imagine the reaction of the owner who got his car back fully intact, without lifting a finger.

Read: VW’s Car-Net Refused To Help Police Track Abducted Child Until Activation Fee Was Paid

Shortly after the embarrassing incident, police officers located the suspects at a nearby location. The juveniles tried to run away but they were “quickly taken into custody” following a “brief foot chase”. According to the Montgomery County Department of Police, a 16-year-old from Rockville and a 17-year-old from Washington D.C were arrested and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing unit.

The “juveniles” were charged as adults with one count of carjacking and one count of conspiracy carjacking, and remain in custody without a bond. We can only hope that this experience serves as a valuable lesson for them to respect other people’s property and avoid criminal activities in the future. Perhaps they might also consider learning how to drive a stick too.