Skip to main content

Arrest Made in Three Armed Robberies in Wheaton

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 29, 2013


Detectives from the Major Crimes Division – Robbery Section have arrested a suspect believed to be responsible for an armed robbery of a convenience store and an armed robbery of a bank that occurred yesterday in Wheaton.  The suspect is also responsible for an armed robbery of a bank that occurred on January 23.

On January 23, at approximately 4:17 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the Capital One Bank located at 115 University Boulevard for a report of a bank robbery.  Investigation revealed that the suspect entered the bank, presented a note to the teller, and fled the bank prior to receiving any currency.  Detectives obtained surveillance video of the suspect in this robbery.

On January 28, at approximately 11:43 a.m., 4th District officers responded to the Kiss & Ride Convenience Store located at 11175 Georgia Avenue for a suspicious situation.  Investigation revealed that an armed robbery had just occurred at the store.  The suspect had entered the store, pointed a handgun at an employee, and obtained cash from the register and from the employee's purse.  The suspect then fled from the store.

Later in the afternoon, at approximately 4:10 p.m., 4th District officers responded to the Capital One Bank located at 11241 Georgia Avenue for a report of an armed robbery.  Investigation revealed that the suspect entered the bank and approached the teller window.  The suspect passed a note to the teller demanding cash and displayed a handgun.  After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled the bank.

Following the bank robbery, a 4th District officer in the area observed a taxi cab awaiting a fare.  The officer inquired with the taxi driver as to who he was picking up.  While speaking with the taxi driver, the officer noticed a subject matching the description of the suspect in both robberies inside of a nearby business.  Officers stopped the suspect, detained him, and through investigative means determined that he was responsible for both robberies, as well as the Capital One bank robbery on January 23.  The suspect was placed under arrest.

The suspect is identified as Joseph Urrutia, age 47, of the 900 block of Benson Terrace in Silver Spring.  Urrutia was charged with three counts of armed robbery and is currently being held on a $125,000 bond.
JosephUrrutiaJosephUrrutia (Original Image)


# # #

Release ID: 13-031
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases