News Releases

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Officers from the 5th District have charged three suspects with theft for breaking into multiple vehicles in Germantown: Anthony Derrick Martin, age 20, of the 18700 block of Curry Powder Lane in Germantown, Jose Elias Morales Portillo, age 20, of the 18600 block of Bay Leaf Way in Germantown, and Donovan Lee, age 18, of the 13000 block of Trailside Way in Germantown.

On September 28 at approximately 3:10 a.m., 5th District officers responded to the 14000 block of Jump Drive in Germantown for the report of a resident who witnessed three male suspects, later identified as Martin, Portillo, and Lee, breaking into a vehicle in the parking lot. The resident told officers that he witnessed the suspects remove a backpack from a vehicle, empty out its contents, and leave the area.

Officers located the three suspects on a nearby street. Martin, Portillo, and Lee all were in possession of property that was later determined to have been stolen from several vehicles on Jump Drive.

The three suspects were transported to the Central Processing Unit and charged with one count of theft: less than $1,000 and one count of rogue and vagabond. Martin was released after posting a $5,000 bond, Portillo was released after posting a $2,500 bond, and Lee was released after posting a $2,500 bond.

Officers believe that there may be additional victims of these thefts who have not reported the incidents to police. Anyone who has been a victim of a theft from vehicle and has not reported the theft is asked to call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

Police are again urging residents to lock their vehicle doors and remove items of value as unlocked doors are easy targets for suspects.

RLG