News Releases

For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 12, 2012

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division - Robbery Section charged three suspects in connection with two armed robberies of the CVS store located at 7955 Tuckerman Lane in Potomac. The three suspects are as follows:

Fenton James Graham, age 35, of the 8800 block of Manchester Road in Silver Spring
Michael Dennis Cooke, age 53, unconfirmed address
Michelle Allison, age 29, of the 9600 block of Orpin Road in Randallstown

It should be noted that Graham was employed by CVS as a supervisor at the time of the robberies and was working in the store during both robberies.

On February 6, 2012, at approximately 2:50 a.m., 1^st District officers responded to the CVS store located at 7955 Tuckerman Lane in Potomac for an armed robbery that had just occurred. The investigation revealed that the suspect (now identified as Michael Cooke) entered the store and acknowledged Graham (who was working as a supervisor) and another employee in a friendly manner. Cooke then produced a handgun and struck the other employee in the face with the handgun. Cooke ordered Graham to tie up the other employee and ordered Graham to place money from the registers in a duffle bag. Cooke left the CVS on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. The 39-year-old male employee who was injured during the robbery was transported to a local hospital with a laceration to his mouth.

On February 13, 2012, at approximately 1:29 a.m., 1^st District officers again responded to the same CVS store for an armed robbery that had just occurred. The investigation revealed that the suspect (now identified as Michael Cooke) entered the store and posed as a customer. Cooke displayed a handgun and demanded cash. Cooke fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash and was last seen entering a vehicle.

Detectives noted Graham’s presence in the store during both robberies and he was developed as a suspect. On February 14, Graham was arrested on the strength of an arrest warrant and charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a violent felony, and theft. Graham’s next court date is April 14. Michael Cooke, the father of Graham’s girlfriend, was developed as the suspect who entered the store and committed the robberies. The Montgomery County Police Repeat Offender Section determined that Cooke was in Las Vegas, Nevada. On April 2, U.S. Marshals arrested Cooke in Las Vegas on the strength of a Maryland arrest warrant. Cooke remains in custody in Nevada pending extradition to Montgomery County. Michelle Allison, Graham’s girlfriend, was arrested on February 18 and charged with obstructing and hindering in the investigation.