News Releases

Update: Suspect Arrested for Purse Thefts from Schools in County - Tipster Helped Close This Case

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – 2nd District Investigative Section have charged Nakym Sheffield, age 39, of Circle Gate Drive in Germantown, for committing multiple thefts of female employees’ purses from nine area schools that occurred in May and June. 

Investigators received reports from 11 female employees who work at nine different schools/child care centers located in the County whose purses/wallets were stolen from a school classroom or office by an unknown suspect, who is now being identified as Sheffield.  The victims’ stolen credit cards were then used to purchase items at stores.

During each of these thefts, Sheffield located an unattended classroom/office, found the employee’s purse/bag, and stole the entire purse or wallet or removed the victim’s cash and credit cards and left the purse/wallet.  At three of the schools Sheffield was approached by personnel who inquired about his purpose in the school.  Sheffield provided a brief response like he was with the cleaning staff or was a member of camp staff and then would quickly leave the area.  Sheffield would then go to stores in the County, to include Target, Safeway, Best Buy, and Giant, and use the victims’ credit cards to buy merchandise.

On July 7, detectives released photographs of the suspect to the media and public and asked for help in identifying him.  Investigators received a tip which led to the identification of Sheffield as the suspect.  Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Sheffield and arrested him at his home on July 15.

Sheffield was transported to the Central Processing Unit where he was charged with multiple counts of credit card fraud related offenses.  Sheffield was released after posting a $3,000 bond.

This investigation is ongoing in regard to open events in this series of thefts.

RLG

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Release ID: 17-210
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: theft