Mother injured in car theft in Baltimore County

By Alexis Taylor
AFROC Senior Editor

A Baltimore County woman is recovering in the hospital after being struck by a car at the scene of her daughter's carjacking on August 21.

Valerie G. Smith took to social media on August 22, asking the public for help in arresting those responsible for stealing her car and injuring her mother.

“I'm asking for your prayers and help,” Smith said on Meta, the social media platform formerly known as Facebook. “I was involved in a carjacking outside my mom's house last night. We were both injured, but mom's injuries are more severe and she has shock trauma. Please pray for her.”

The AFROC has learned that the suspects involved allegedly attacked Smith with a gun outside her mother, Edna Smith's, home. As Edna Smith attempted to investigate the commotion, she was struck by the vehicle as it was being stolen.

“Car thieves ran her over with Valarie's car. Mrs. Edna has a broken pelvis and two broken legs and is still in shock trauma awaiting surgery,” a source close to the family said. “During the carjacking, Valarie's phone was stolen, her hand was caught in the door and she was dragged away. She was treated and released but remains in shock trauma to be with her mother.”

Valerie Smith asked the public to be on the lookout for her vehicle.

“It's a red 2018 Acura MDX with the license plate VALARI. My phone and purse were in the car, so I don't have a phone right now. Please use Facebook to contact me or my son Elliott Taft.”

The police confirmed the car theft by email with the AFROC.

“Preliminary statements last night at approximately 10:10 p.m., officers responded to reports of an armed carjacking at the corner of Brattle and Hawksbury Road, 21208. Once on scene, officers located the victim, who advised that several unknown suspects approached her in an attempt to steal her vehicle,” said Anthony Shelton, a media relations representative for the Baltimore County Police Department. “In this incident, one victim was struck by the vehicle as the suspects fled the scene. They were transported to a local hospital and are currently in critical but stable condition. The second victim, who attempted to assist, sustained non-life threatening injuries.”

The AFROC asked whether there were any suspects in the case.

Shelton responded immediately: “The investigation is ongoing and investigators have not released any further information. More information will be released as it becomes available.”

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call 410-307-2020.