News Releases

Update: Suspect Arrested for Golden China Restaurant Armed Robbery – Tipster Helped Close This Case

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – Major Crimes Division have charged Bryan O’Donald Ray, age 37, of an unconfirmed address, with the July 21 armed robbery of the Golden China restaurant located at 12719 Old Columbia Pike in Fairland.

On Monday, July 21 at approximately 11:01 p.m., 3^rd District officers responded to the Golden China restaurant located at 12719 Old Columbia Pike for the report of an armed robbery that had just occurred.

The investigation by detectives revealed that Ray entered the restaurant displaying a handgun in his right hand and carrying pepper spray in his left hand.   Ray approached two employees, an adult male and an adult female, who were working behind the counter and immediately pepper sprayed the male employee.  Ray then pointed the handgun at the female and demanded money from the cash register.  The female grabbed the handgun that Ray was holding and began to struggle with him.  During the struggle, Ray struck the female on the head with the handgun and then pepper sprayed her.  After assaulting the female, Ray opened the cash register, stole currency, and fled from the restaurant.  Ray was last seen southbound on foot toward the Exxon gas station located at 12601 Old Columbia Pike.

Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the restaurant and transported both employees to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

On August 1, detectives released surveillance video 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 Ray as the suspect.  Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Ray charging him with one count of armed robbery, two counts of first-degree assault, and two counts of second-degree assault.  On August 7, Ray was arrested on the strength of the Montgomery County warrant at a residence in Northwest Washington, D.C.

Ray is currently being held in Washington, D.C., for similar offenses that occurred in that jurisdiction.

RLG

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Release ID: 17-245
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: robbery