News Releases

For Immediate Release: Friday, December 13, 2013

Montgomery County Police-4th District Detectives have arrested Joseph D. Simonson, age 17, of the 100 block of Monroe Street in Rockville, and Chavarus A. Bradshaw, age 16, of the 2500 block of Baltimore Road in Rockville, with the armed robbery of a resident. Both suspects have been charged as adults.

On November 27, 4th District officers responded to the 14500 block of Bauer Drive in Rockville for an armed robbery that had just occurred. The 17-year-old victim stated that as he was walking in the 14500 block of Bauer Drive, he was confronted by two black males. One suspect pointed a handgun at the victim as both suspects demanded property. The suspects obtained the victim's wallet and iPod and then ordered the victim to run away.

During the investigation, Bradshaw and Simonson were developed as suspects. On December 10, plain clothes officers observed the two suspects leave Bradshaw's residence and begin walking towards the area where the robbery had occurred. At that time, plain clothes officers attempted to stop Bradshaw and Simonson. Bradshaw pulled a handgun from his pants pocket and pointed it at the officers. Officers were able to quickly disarm Bradshaw and take him into custody. Simonson, who had fled when he saw the officers, was located by a K9 team and taken into custody. Officers located a butcher knife that Simonson had discarded as he fled from police. Bradshaw's gun was determined to be a replica handgun.

During police questioning, both Bradshaw and Simonson stated they had committed the November 27 armed robbery. Both suspects have been charged with armed robbery and Bradshaw has also been charged with first degree assault on the officers; the two suspects are being held on $500,000 bond. A search warrant was executed at Bradshaw's residence and a replica AK-47 was located inside the residence.

*Photographs of Bradshaw and Simonson will not be released because the suspects are juveniles.

RLI