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Two Suspects Arrested for Bethesda Home Invasion Robbery of 85-Year-Old Couple

For Immediate Release: Monday, February 23, 2015

Detectives from the Major Crimes Division have arrested Robert Christopher Hartley, age 30, of the 700 block of Heritage Lane in Bel Air, and Ioanis Gourgoulianos, age 28, of the 2200 block of Edinburg Drive in Fallston, and have charged them both with the February 16 home invasion robbery that occurred in Bethesda.


 


At approximately 5:30 p.m. on February 16, an 85-year-old couple were in the basement of their residence, located in the 8800 block of Clewerwall Drive in Bethesda, when they heard a loud crash.  The pair went upstairs to investigate and observed two men entering the residence through a broken glass back door.  The male suspects wore dark clothing and ski masks.  One suspect carried a baseball bat and the other suspect carried a small, blunt object.  The suspects ordered the victims to sit on the couch in the living room and to put their hands up; the victims were told not to look at the suspects.  One of the suspects stated, “We are not going to hurt you. We respect you. It’s just that the economy that sucks.”  In less than ten minutes, the suspects had removed approximately $10,000 cash and rare silver coins from the home.  The victims called 9-1-1 and officers responded to the home.


 


It appeared to detectives investigating the case that the suspect(s) knew exactly where the cash and coins were stored in the home.  Investigators discovered that the residents had recently had a new heating system installed in their home.  Hartley was employed by the company that installed the system and was at the residence on several occasions to install the system.  Detectives determined that Hartley had seen the cash and coins in the residence on one of those occasions.


 


During the investigation, detectives determined that a man came to the victims’ front door at approximately 2:30 p.m. on the day of the home invasion. The man had told the female victim that he worked for a company and wanted to talk to her about snow removal services and landscaping.  She stated that she was not interested and did not open the door.  The victim observed another male standing by the street.  Detectives determined that no other neighbor had a representative from that company knock on their door.  Through investigation, this imposter salesman was identified as Gourgoulianos.


 


On February 19, detectives arrested Hartley on the strength of an arrest warrant at his home and executed a search warrant.  Investigators located silver coins stolen from the victims’ home and also located the victims’ Travelers checks.  During questioning, Hartley provided a full confession.  Gourgoulianos was arrested on February 20 on the strength of an arrest warrant.  Both suspects have been charged with crimes to include home invasion, first degree assault, and theft.


 


The Department urges people to place valuables out of view and in a safe when having workers come into their home.  Also, if possible, the Department encourages homeowners to be home or have someone trustworthy to be in the home to monitor the movements of workers.




RLI








HartleyHartley (Original Image)
Ioanis GourgoulianosIoanis Gourgoulianos (Original Image)


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Release ID: 15-050
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases