News Releases

Fraud Suspect Purchases Items Totaling Approximately $12,000 with Victim’s Stolen Credit Cards; Residents Reminded to Keep Purses and Wallets Close at All Times.

For Immediate Release: Friday, September 23, 2016

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – 2^nd District Investigative Section are investigating the fraudulent use of stolen credit cards that occurred in late August.  Today, investigators are releasing surveillance photographs of a female suspect using the stolen credit cards and are asking for the public’s help to identify her.

The investigation by detectives determined that on August 18 at approximately 6:00 p.m., the adult female victim was dining at the Cosi restaurant located at 7251 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda and during that time, the victim hung her purse from the back of her restaurant chair.  After dining, the victim left the restaurant and returned home.  Later that evening, the victim was notified by her bank that her credit cards had been used fraudulently.  The victim then discovered that her wallet, which contained her credit cards, had been stolen from her purse.

Detectives determined that the suspect in the surveillance photographs fraudulently used the victim’s stolen credit cards to purchase approximately $12,000 worth of merchandise at various stores within the Westfield Montgomery mall and at a Target in Rockville.

Anyone with information about this suspect or this crime is asked to call the 2^nd District Investigative Section at 240-773-6710 or Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).  Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest in this case.  To be eligible for a reward, tipsters must call Crime Solvers.  Callers may remain anonymous.

The Department urges residents to follow these tips to help prevent having a purse and/or wallet stolen:

• Carry your closed purse as close to your body as possible and keep it in sight at all times.
• Carry a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
• Do not become distracted while involved in your activities. Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

RLG

# # #

Release ID: 16-252
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: credit-credit-theft-andor-fraud