News Releases

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department-Major Crimes Division are investigating a home invasion robbery that occurred at approximately 3:00 p.m. on November 9 at a residence in Kensington. The female suspect forced her way into the house, tied up the 74-year-old victim, and stole his credit cards and cash. Today, detectives are releasing photographs of the female suspect and two additional suspects who all used the victim's cards to buy merchandise and/or withdraw money from an automated teller machine (ATM).

On Monday, November 9 at approximately 3:00 p.m., the victim heard a knock on his front door, opened the door, and was met with the suspect, who identified herself as “Maria.” The suspect asked to use the bathroom and the victim replied, “No” and shut the door. Approximately 15 minutes later, the suspect again knocked on the victim’s front door and asked to use the bathroom. The victim again replied, “No”, but this time, the suspect pushed the victim, entered the home, and then punched the victim in the face. The suspect then picked up a sharp instrument that she found in the residence. The suspect then ordered the victim to his bedroom, where she tied his hands behind his back with items that she found in the home. She threatened that if he resisted, she would stab and shoot him. The suspect then stole the victim’s bank and credit card, cash, and personal identification number (PIN). (The suspect did not remove any other items from the home). The victim worked to remove the restraints and then called police.

The female suspect is described as a Hispanic female, possibly in her 40s, with a medium build, black hair, and wearing maroon colored clothing.

Investigators have obtained surveillance photographs of the female suspect who entered the home. This suspect used the victim’s credit cards at stores in Wheaton, Rockville, and Vienna, Virginia, and at an automated teller machine (ATM). Detectives have also acquired surveillance photographs of two additional suspects using the cards - a male and a younger female suspect withdrawing money at an ATM. The Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying these three suspects.

Further investigation has revealed that four residents on Wexford Court, a street in close proximity to the victim’s street, reported that a female matching this suspect’s description knocked on their front doors within the past few weeks. When one of the neighbors opened the door to the unknown female, the female stated that she was asking for donations; when pressed for more information about the charity, the female could not provide answers. The other three residents did not open their doors to the victim, although one resident reported that the female knocked forcefully on the door for minutes.

The Department is urging anyone with information about any of these suspects or this home invasion to call the Major Crimes Division at 240.773.5070. For those who wish to remain anonymous, Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s). Tipsters can call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Note to Media: The victim will be available for interviews at 11:00 a.m. today at the Bethesda Police District Station located at 7359 Wisconsin Avenue. For more information or questions about these interviews, please call the Public Information Office at 240-773-5030, option 4, after 8:30 a.m.

RLI