NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
● 7500 Maple Avenue ● Takoma Park, Md 20912
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer (PIO)
Catherine Plevy, 301/891.7142 or 240/338.2901
November 28, 2011 (7:30 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
**Taken from Montgomery County Police Department – Because of its proximity to Takoma Park, we believe it is important for residents to be aware and cautious.**
Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Robbery Section continue to investigate three incidents of kidnapping and robbery that occurred in Wheaton on November 23, November 26, and November 27. Detectives believe the three kidnappings were committed by the same suspect.
At this time, investigators are releasing video surveillance of the suspect and are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect. The video surveillance was obtained from the Target store located at the Westfield Wheaton Shopping Mall (11160 Veirs Mill Road).
Below is a summary of the three incidents:
November 23, 2011
• 75-year-old male victim.
• Victim was approached in the parking lot of the Giant Food store located at 2900 University Boulevard West in Wheaton at approximately 3:00 p.m.
• Suspect armed with a sharp object, possibly a box cutter.
• Suspect forced the victim to get into the victim’s vehicle. The suspect drove the victim to ATM’s and obtained cash.
• Suspect drove to an unconfirmed Metro station where he relinquished the vehicle to the victim and then fled on foot possibly toward a Metro bus.
• Victim drove home and called police at approximately 6:40 p.m.
• Police believe suspect may have cut one of his fingers.
• Victim was not injured.
November 26, 2011
• 60-year-old male victim.
• Victim was approached as he entered his vehicle in the parking lot of the Giant Food store located at 2900 University Boulevard West in Wheaton at approximately 2:00 p.m.
• Suspect armed with a sharp object, possibly a box cutter.
• Suspect forced the victim to get into the passenger seat of the victim’s vehicle. The suspect drove the victim to ATM’s and obtained cash.
• Suspect drove to a gas station located at 7000 Blair Road, Northwest, in the District of Columbia, where he relinquished the vehicle to the victim and then fled on foot in an unknown direction.
• The Metropolitan Police Department were called to the gas station at approximately 2:44 p.m. and notified the Montgomery County Police Department.
• Victim was not injured.
November 27, 2011
• 77-year-old male victim.
• Victim was approached as he entered his vehicle in the parking lot of the Target store located at 11160 Veirs Mill Road in Wheaton at approximately 1:50 p.m.
• Suspect armed with a sharp object, possibly a box cutter.
• Suspect forced the victim to get into the victim’s vehicle. Investigators believe the suspect drove the victim to unknown locations, possibly attempting to withdraw cash from the victim’s bank accounts. Detectives are still investigating this scenario.
• Suspect drove to a location in the 3500 block of East-West Highway in Hyattsville where he relinquished the vehicle to the victim and then fled on foot in an unknown direction.
• Passersby noticed the victim sitting the passenger seat of the vehicle and called police. Hyattsville police officers responded at approximately 3:13 p.m. and notified Montgomery County Police.
• The victim was injured by the suspect who cut him with the box cutter and beat him about his face and head. The victim was treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital.
The suspect in these three incidents is described as a black male with a medium complexion, between the ages of 35 and 45 years old, 5’11” to 6’ tall, weighing between 175 and 180 pounds. He was described as wearing dark-colored jeans and a black jacket on November 26 and described as wearing a black baseball cap, a gray sweatshirt, and dark colored jeans on November 23.
Anyone who has information about these crimes should call the Major Crimes Division-Robbery Section at 240-773-5100. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-866-TIPS (8477) or 240-773-8477. Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment of the person responsible for this crime. Anonymous tips can also be provided by typing “MCPD” plus the tip on a cell phone or PDA and texting it to 274637 (CRIMES).
***Video of this incident, Suspect in Wheaton Kidnappings/Robberies, is available on our Facebook page (Montgomery County Police Department Official). The video is also available on “YouTube” by searching the video titles or our username, “mcpdmedia.”***
