News Releases

Suspect Arrested and Charged with 5 Armed Robberies of Subway Restaurants

For Immediate Release: Monday, December 10, 2012

Detectives from the Major Crimes Division-Robbery Section have arrested and charged a suspect for five armed robberies of Subway restaurants that have occurred since November.  The suspect is identified as Timothy Luke Howell, age 24, of an unconfirmed address.  Howell is charged with the following armed robberies :

1. November 4, at approximately 9:15 a.m. – Subway, 19911 Frederick Road, Germantown
2. November 25, at approximately 5:35 p.m. – Subway, 501 N. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg
3. December 2, at approximately 10:30 a.m. – Subway, 876 Muddy Branch Road, Gaithersburg
4. December 2, at approximately 8:35 p.m. – Subway, 19911 Frederick Road, Germantown
5. December 5, at approximately 4:26 p.m. – Subway, 876 Muddy Branch Road, Gaithersburg

During the investigation, detectives believed that these robberies were committed by the same suspect based on suspect description and modus operandi.  (In all of these robberies the suspect entered a Subway restaurant in Germantown or Gaithersburg, displayed a handgun, and demanded cash from the register).  During the December 5 robbery, witnesses observed the suspect flee in a white Dodge Caravan.  Investigators determined that the van had been stolen prior to the robbery from a nearby parking lot.  Investigators were able to obtain video surveillance of two male suspects attempting to steal one vehicle and then successfully stealing the Dodge van.

On December 6, Gaithersburg police officers responded to the Kohl's store in the Rio shopping center (9871 Washingtonian Boulevard, Gaithersburg) for a shoplifting call.  Officers arrested Ta-Von A. Young, age 19, of an unconfirmed address, for shoplifting.  Officers noted that a second suspect with Young, who had avoided apprehension, matched the surveillance photograph of the December 2 Subway robbery suspect.  Through investigation, it was determined that Young was one of the suspects who stole the Dodge Caravan before the December 5 robbery and Howell was identified as the second suspect in the vehicle theft as well as the suspect in the five Subway robberies.

Young was transported to the Central Processing Unit and charged with the theft of the Dodge caravan and with the theft of merchandise from Kohl's.  (Specific charges are as follows : theft : $1,000 to $10,000, attempt theft: $1,000 to under $10,000, motor vehicle theft, rogue and vagabond, and malicious destruction of property: value plus $500).  Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Howell and he was arrested on December 7.  At the time of his arrest, Howell was found to be in possession of a loaded, 9mm Beretta.  Howell was transported to the Central Processing Unit and charged with five counts of armed robbery, vehicle theft, rogue and vagabond, and handgun on person.

At this time, detectives continue to investigate if Young was involved in any of the five robberies.

A mugshot of Young is not available at this time.

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Release ID: 12-341
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases