News Releases

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 10, 2024

Gaithersburg, MD - Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Investigative Section are investigating a burglary that occurred on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 5400 block of Western Avenue in Chevy Chase. Detectives have released a photo of the male suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

At approximately 11 a.m., 2nd District officers responded to the location for the report of a burglary.

The investigation by detectives has revealed that an unknown suspect forced entry into the church and cut sections of copper piping. The suspect then came across a construction crew that was going to renovate areas of the church. One of the construction workers used his cell phone to film the suspect who then left the scene with the stolen property.

Detectives found items of evidentiary value at the scene and obtained a photo of the suspect from the cell phone footage.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, in his fifties, with a trimmed beard, medium build, wearing a white construction safety helmet, a reflective yellow/orange vest, a purple t-shirt, gray gloves and carrying a black backpack.

Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on the “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. Tips with information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward from $250 up to $10,000. Tips may remain anonymous.