WASHINGTON, DC – A brazen carjacking in Northeast Washington on Wednesday night ended almost as quickly as it began, after an off-duty police officer witnessed the crime in real time and called in reinforcements. Within minutes, the suspect was in custody and the stolen moped returned to its rightful owner.
Carjacking Witnessed by Off-Duty Officer
The incident happened on September 3, 2025, at approximately 9:44 p.m. in the 1000 block of Brentwood Road NE. According to police, the suspect — later identified as 34-year-old Terel Rivers Antwoin — forcibly pulled a man off his moped before riding away on it.
What Antwoin didn’t realize was that an off-duty member of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) happened to be nearby and witnessed the entire theft. The officer immediately contacted MPD’s Fifth District units, providing a description of both the suspect and the stolen vehicle, as well as the direction in which Antwoin fled.
Quick Arrest and Recovery
Acting on the tip, responding officers quickly canvassed the area. Within minutes, they located the suspect riding the stolen moped in the 900 block of 17th Street NE. A traffic stop was conducted, and Antwoin was taken into custody without further incident.
The moped was safely recovered and returned to the victim, bringing swift closure to what could have been a longer ordeal. Police praised the quick thinking of the off-duty officer and the rapid coordination of Fifth District patrol units in ensuring the case ended without injury.
Multiple Charges Filed
Antwoin, who police said has no fixed address, now faces several charges stemming from the incident, including:
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Unarmed Carjacking
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Reckless Driving
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No Permit
However, his legal troubles did not stop there.
Wanted in Multiple Jurisdictions
A further check revealed that Antwoin was already wanted on three outstanding DC Superior Court warrants for Lewd, Indecent, or Obscene Acts. In addition, he had two separate warrants from outside the District — one from Prince George’s County, Maryland, and another from Alexandria, Virginia.
Because of those existing warrants, Antwoin now also faces two counts of Fugitive from Justice, compounding the list of charges that could keep him behind bars for an extended period.
Community Impact
The case has sparked conversation among Northeast DC residents, who have voiced concerns about a rise in vehicle-related crimes across the city. Mopeds, scooters, and delivery bikes have increasingly been targets of theft and carjacking, particularly in densely populated neighborhoods.
For many residents, the quick arrest offered reassurance that police remain active and responsive. “It’s good to know officers are around and watching out,” one neighbor said. “Things happen fast in this city, but at least this time the response was just as fast.”
A Reminder of Vigilance
Police used the incident as a reminder of the importance of community awareness and quick reporting. While not every crime will unfold in front of an officer, they emphasized that timely tips from the public often play a critical role in arrests and recoveries.
In this case, the presence of an off-duty officer made the difference between a suspect getting away and being caught within minutes.
Looking Ahead
Antwoin is being held pending court appearances on the carjacking and traffic-related charges, in addition to the warrants across multiple jurisdictions. If convicted, he faces significant prison time.
For the victim, however, the swift recovery of the moped was a relief. What began as a terrifying moment ended with justice in motion — a reminder that even bold crimes can be quickly stopped when law enforcement acts decisively.
Key Points:
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A man was carjacked off his moped in Northeast DC on Sept. 3.
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Suspect Terel Rivers Antwoin, 34, was spotted by an off-duty officer and arrested minutes later.
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Antwoin faces multiple charges in DC and was already wanted in Maryland and Virginia.
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