LAUREL, MD — Police in the Western District arrested three individuals in two separate stolen vehicle incidents early Friday morning, both occurring in Laurel within a five-hour span.
At approximately 12:20 a.m., officers located a stolen Toyota Highlander in the parking lot of the Motel 6 at 3510 Old Annapolis Road. According to police, the vehicle’s occupants fled the area before officers arrived but were quickly apprehended. Authorities identified the suspects as Ulices S. Benitez and Liseth Escobar Gutierrez, both 23 and residents of Laurel.
Charges were filed following the arrests, though police have not yet released details on how the suspects initially obtained the vehicle.
Less than five hours later, at approximately 4:50 a.m., an officer spotted another stolen vehicle, a Subaru Legacy, in the 100 block of Ethel Drive. The officer found a lone occupant in the car, who was arrested at the scene without reported incident.
Suspect information released
The driver of the stolen Subaru was identified as 21-year-old Jose O. Argueta-Barahona of Beltsville. Authorities confirmed that he was charged in connection with the incident, but did not specify the nature of those charges.
“These arrests were the result of quick response and coordinated efforts from officers in the field,” the department stated.
No injuries were reported in either case. Police have not disclosed whether the two thefts are connected or part of a larger investigation into stolen vehicles in the area.
All three suspects are currently in custody pending further legal proceedings.