News Releases

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 7, 2013

Detectives from the 1^st District Investigative Section have been investigating a series of residential burglaries that have occurred since May of 2012, with most of the incidents occurring since August of 2012. Residents in neighborhoods on either side of Travilah Road, south of Darnestown Road in North Potomac, reported daytime and evening burglaries. Entry was often gained by forcing windows and doors. In some cases, suspects would knock on the front door of a target house to see if anyone was home before breaking in.

Investigators believe that over 30 homes were burglarized during that time period, and typically jewelry, cash and small electronic items such as computers and cell phones were stolen. It is believed that over $100,000.00 worth of property was stolen in these cases.

On January 8, officers from the 1^st District responded to the area of Dufief Mill Road and Lake Winds Way for a suspicious person knocking on doors in the neighborhood. A short time later, officers located a vehicle in the same area with the described suspect as well as three other males. Further investigation revealed that all the individuals in the vehicle were in fact responsible for, or knew about many of the burglaries.

With the assistance of numerous 1^st District officers, detectives and the MCP SWAT team, additional suspects were arrested and approximately $45,000.00 worth of property has since been recovered. According to 1^st District investigators, this investigation has truly been a team effort. The investigation is continuing.

So far, six suspects, three adults and three juveniles, have been arrested and charged in these cases with numerous counts of first-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary, conspiracy, malicious destruction of property and the associated theft charges. The three adults are identified as: Tita Ntemgwa Fontava, age 21, of the 14000 block of Pellita Terrace in Rockville. Fontava is currently being held on bond and awaiting a March 1 court hearing. Ernest James Jeffreys, age 20, of the 11100 block of Captains Walk Court in Gaithersburg is out on bond also awaiting a March 1 court hearing. And David Cho, age 19, of the 11700 block of Cider Press Place in Germantown is out on bond awaiting a February 8 court hearing.

The three juveniles are identified only as a 16-year-old male from Rockville, a 17-year-old male from North Potomac, and a 17-year-old male from Rockville. It is the policy of this office not to release the identity of juvenile offenders.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about these crimes to please contact the Rockville Investigative Section at 240-773-6084. As always, please be aware of what is happening in your neighborhood. Police ask that you report any suspicious activity, persons or vehicles to police by calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line, 301-279-8000.

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