U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas was ambushed by three armed assailants about a mile from the U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, was ambushed by three armed assailants Monday evening, his office said.

Cuellar’s chief of staff Jacob Hochberg issued a statement saying, “As Congressman Cuellar parked his car this evening, three armed assailants approached the Congressman and stole his vehicle. Fortunately, he was not injured and is cooperating with local law enforcement.”

Hochberg said police recovered Cuellar’s vehicle.

The Washington Post reported that the robbery occurred at 9:30 p.m. at New Jersey Avenue and K Street SE in the Navy Yard area of ​​Washington, about a mile from the U.S. Capitol.

Monday’s incident was the second attack on a member of Congress in the District of Columbia this year. Democratic in February Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota was attacked in her Washington home, leaving her bruised and seriously injured. Her chief of staff said the attack did not appear to be politically motivated.

In June, 26-year-old Kendrid Khalil Hamlin pleaded guilty in the case to assaulting a member of Congress and law enforcement officers. Hamlin was also accused of attacking two police officers as they attempted to arrest him on the same day Craig was attacked.