A Montgomery County police spokesperson had his own car stolen from his apartment garage just days after using it to film a department PSA warning residents about surging auto thefts.

Degan Bartels, a public information officer for the Montgomery County Police Department, bought his 2026 Honda Civic hybrid hatchback less than two months before it disappeared from his Rockville-area apartment building sometime between the night of Friday, July 24, and the morning of Saturday, July 25.

"It's almost uncanny," Bartels told Bethesda Magazine on Aug. 1. "Obviously, I didn't follow the tips that were outlined in the video because now my car is gone."

The theft underscores a countywide problem. Montgomery County has seen a 20% increase in auto thefts in 2026 compared to last year, according to MCPD Capt. Cody Fields. As of Aug. 1, the department had arrested more than 90 juveniles and more than 40 adults in connection with vehicle thefts this year.

Fields said thieves are using devices that clone key fob signals, allowing them to unlock and start push-to-start vehicles. Stolen cars are then stripped for parts or used in burglaries and robberies.

As we reported July 30, two suspects were arrested for wheel theft on Montrose Avenue as part of the same countywide surge.

Free steering wheel locks available

MCPD is distributing free steering wheel locks at Montgomery County district police stations, including the Bethesda 2nd District station. Fields said the department has a "very finite number" and is working to obtain more.

The department also recommends owners of push-to-start vehicles purchase a Faraday bag to block key fob signals from being cloned. Other tips include installing a GPS tracker, parking in well-lit areas, and never leaving a car running unattended.

Bartels said his car had not been recovered as of Aug. 1. He urged anyone whose vehicle is stolen to report it to police immediately so the plates can be entered into a national database and flagged by license plate readers.

The MCPD posted a theft prevention message on its official X account on Thursday, July 30, warning that leaving a vehicle running unattended, even briefly, gives thieves enough time to steal it.

Residents can pick up free steering wheel locks at the Bethesda 2nd District station while supplies last.