News Releases

For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 2, 2016

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – 4th District Investigative Section continue to investigate the May 21 burglary of the JCPenney store located at the Westfield Wheaton mall (11160 Viers Mill Road). Detectives are releasing surveillance video and photographs of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

On May 21 at approximately 8:48 a.m., 4th District officers responded to the JCPenny store for a burglary that had just been discovered by an employee arriving to the store to open it for business.

Video surveillance shows that at 3:19 a.m. that morning, the suspect broke into the JCPenny by throwing rocks and breaking the glass of the third floor, exterior door. After entering the store, the suspect went to the jewelry department and broke the glass of two jewelry display cases. He then stole all of the jewelry inside those cases. The suspect is seen on video exiting the JCPenny store at 3:26 a.m.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect had been in the mall earlier that day during normal business hours. Detectives obtained surveillance photographs of the suspect during the time that he was in the mall.

The total value of the stolen jewelry was approximately $150,000.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about this burglary is asked to contact the 4^th District Investigative Section at 240-773-5530. Tipsters can also call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or enter a tip online. Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for this felony crime.

RLG