News Releases

For Immediate Release: Friday, September 21, 2012

Detectives from the Major Crimes Division – Robbery Section are investigating the robbery of a Barwood cab driver that occurred last evening. Detectives are releasing photographs of the female suspect and are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect.

Last evening at approximately 6:36 p.m., 3^rd District officers were called to the area of Georgia Avenue and Colesville Road for a robbery that had just occurred. Investigation by detectives has indicated that yesterday evening at approximately 6:20 p.m., a Barwood cab driver was approached by a woman in front of the Baja Fresh restaurant located at 8515 Fenton Street in Silver Spring. The suspect asked to be driven to Starbucks on East West Highway in Silver Spring. While en route to the Starbucks, the suspect stated she needed money and asked to be first driven to the Capital One Bank located at 8676 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. (The bank is approximately .3 miles from the restaurant). When they arrived to the bank, the suspect displayed what is described as a 12 inch knife and demanded the cab driver’s money and credit cards; the victim complied with the suspect’s demands.

Still holding the knife, the suspect then walked with the driver to the ATM and asked for the driver’s bank card PIN. The suspect put the victim’s bank card in the ATM and chose to withdraw a dollar amount – the driver pressed cancel to end the transaction. The suspect then entered a lower dollar amount and the cab driver again pressed cancel. The suspect then entered a third (even lower) amount and the driver did not press cancel. The suspect withdrew the money from the driver’s account and fled on foot towards the Silver Spring Metro (8400 Colesville Road). The suspect was able to obtain business and personal proceeds from the victim.

The suspect is described as a black female, approximately 20 to 30 years old, with a light complexion.

Detectives are asking anyone who recognizes the suspect from the photographs or who may have information about these armed robberies or the suspects involved to call the Robbery Section at 240-773-5100. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or enter a tip online. 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 for this felony crime.