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Update: Suspect Charged with Two Commercial Armed Robberies; Additional Suspect Sought

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 2, 2017


Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – Major Crimes Division have charged Stephan Simms, age 27, of the 3500 block of 19th Street S.E., Washington, D.C., with robbery and theft offenses related to the December 5 commercial robbery of the ILORI store in Friendship Heights and the January 5 armed robbery of the “Specs New York” store located within the Westfield Montgomery mall in Bethesda.  On February 14, Simms was arrested in Washington, D.C., on the strength of the Montgomery County arrest warrants, charging her with armed robbery, theft: $1,000 to under $10,000, and the use of mace and/or a chemical device with the intent to injure.  Simms was extradited to Montgomery County and transported to the Central Processing Unit (CPU) where she was ordered to be held without bond.

On December 30, detectives released surveillance video of the ILORI store robbery suspect to the media and public and asked for help in identifying her.  Investigators received a tip which led to the identification of Simms as the suspect.  Simms was also identified as the suspect involved in the Specs New York store robbery.

During the Specs New York robbery, Simms and a second unidentified suspect stole multiple brands of sunglasses having a total value of $6,200.  A store employee was pepper sprayed by Simms as she followed the suspects from the store.   Detectives from the 2nd District Investigative Section are still working to identify the second suspect in this robbery and are releasing a surveillance photograph of the unknown suspect.

Anyone who recognizes the additional suspect is asked to call the 2nd District Investigative Section at 240-773-6710.  Those who wish to remain anonymous may call 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 and/or an indictment for this crime.

RLG

Unidentified Suspect in New York Specs store robberyUnidentified Suspect in New York Specs store robbery (Original Image)
Stephan SimmsStephan Simms (Original Image)


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Release ID: 17-063
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: robbery, theft