News Releases

Police Arrest Suspect for Burglaries at Westfield Montgomery Mall

For Immediate Release: Monday, September 17, 2012

Detectives from the 2nd District Investigative Section have arrested a suspect for two burglaries that occurred last week at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

On September 10, at approximately 11:30 a.m., 2nd District officers responded to Westfield Montgomery Mall for a report of two burglaries that had occurred earlier. Investigation revealed that the owner of Dumpling Dojo, a food vendor in the food court, arrived at work and discovered cash missing from the office area.  Another business in the mall, Brow Art 23, had a portion of the pull down security gate cut out.  Cash was taken from a register inside of this store.

The owner of Dumpling Dojo was able to review the video system for the business and determined that a black male wearing a skull cap and carrying a backpack had fallen over the counter and proceeded into the office area of the business.  This suspect description was provided to police and mall security.

On September 14, Westfield Montgomery Mall security observed an individual in the mall that appeared to be the suspect in the video and contacted police.

Police located the suspect at the bus stop outside of the mall.  The suspect was placed under arrest and identified as Delonte Ernesto Smith, age 23, of the 5200 block of Chillum Place NE, Washington DC. Upon being interviewed by detectives, Smith confessed to his involvement in the burglaries and was charged with several burglary and theft-related charges.  Smith is currently being held on a $7500 bond.

# # #

Release ID: 12-215
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases