News Releases

Man Charged with Armed Robbery of Olney Verizon Store

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Robbery Section have charged Jamal Ronell Austin, age 26, of the 5500 block of Yorkshire Drive in Temple Hills, with armed robbery and first-degree assault.

On August 24 at approximately 12:01 p.m., 4th District officers responded to the report of an armed robbery at the Verizon Wireless store located at 3229 Spartan Road in Olney. The investigation revealed that Austin entered the store displaying a handgun and ordered the store employees and customers to the ground. Austin removed several items from the store and fled out of the back door and was seen entering a black Dodge Charger.

Officers responding to the robbery observed the black Charger fleeing the area and attempted to stop it. The driver of the Charger refused to stop for police and fled from the Olney area onto the Inter-County Connector (ICC) toward Interstate 95 in Prince George’s County. Officers were in pursuit of the vehicle when the driver of the Charger rammed a marked Montgomery County police car on the Inter-County Connecter at Georgia Avenue. Officers from several jurisdictions continued to pursue the vehicle into Prince George’s county where they ultimately lost sight of it.

Investigation revealed that the suspect vehicle is registered to Austin. A warrant was obtained for his arrest on August 24. Detectives located and arrested Austin that same evening in Temple Hills.

Austin has been charged with one count of armed robbery and four counts of first-degree assault. He is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.

RLG

# # #

Release ID: 15-261
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases