News Releases

Police Release Video of Credit Card Theft and Fraud Suspect

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police-4th District Petty Crimes Unit continue to investigate two incidents of credit card theft and fraud that are believed to have been committed by the same suspect.  Detectives are releasing photographs of the female suspect and are asking for the public's help in identifying her.

On June 30, a 48-year-old woman went shopping at the Westfield Montgomery Mall located at 7101 Democracy Boulevard in Bethesda.  On her way home, she stopped at a gas station and realized that her wallet had been stolen from her backpack that she kept on the back of her wheelchair.  The victim called her credit card companies and realized that in approximately two-and-a-half hours, the suspect had fraudulently charged approximately $3,000 on her cards.  The cards had been used at multiple locations in the Wheaton area of Montgomery County.

On July 10, a 51-year-old woman was eating with family members at the Panera located at 13521 Connecticut Avenue in Aspen Hill.  She placed her purse on a chair while she went to pick-up her food order at the counter.  Later in the day, she realized that her credit cards had been stolen from her purse.  In approximately three hours, the suspect had charged approximately $11,000 on her cards.  The cards were used at locations throughout Montgomery County.

Detectives obtained video of fraudulent transactions involving both victims' credit cards and discovered that the same suspect was involved in both incidents.  The suspect is described as a black female with a medium build and possibly wearing a wig.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect in the video or has information about these crimes is asked to call the 4th District Petty Crimes Unit at 240-773-5476.  Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or leave a Crime Solvers tip here.  Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for these crimes.

RLI

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Release ID: 13-247
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases