News Releases

Detectives Ask for Public’s Help to Identify Credit Card Theft Suspect

For Immediate Release: Monday, January 29, 2018

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – 1^st District Investigative Section are investigating two cases of credit card theft that are believed to have been committed by the same suspect.   The first theft occurred on December 20 at the La Madeleine Country French Café restaurant located at 7607 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda.  The most recent theft occurred on December 27 at the Fuddruckers restaurant located at 1592 Rockville Pike in Rockville.  Today, investigators are releasing surveillance photographs of the suspect and are asking for the public’s help to identify her.

The investigation by detectives revealed that during each theft, the victim’s credit cards were stolen from her purse when the purse was left unattended (most likely while hanging over the back of a chair).   The victims’ credit cards were used fraudulently in various stores to include the Target store in Rockville.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help to identify the female suspect who was captured on store surveillance where she fraudulently used the victims’ stolen credit cards.

Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to call the 1^st District Investigative Section at 240-773-6084 or 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 the arrest and/or indictment of this suspect. Tipsters will remain anonymous.

The Montgomery County Police Department reminds residents to keep safe while shopping by following these tips:

• Carry a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
• Carry your closed purse as close to your body as possible.
• Do not become distracted by your shopping.  Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Park in well-lighted parking lots and park as close to the mall or store as possible.
• Lock your car doors and keep packages hidden in the trunk or under the seats of your vehicle.
• Do not carry large amounts of cash with you – pay with checks or credit cards when possible.
• Try to avoid carrying a large number of bags. Make trips back to your vehicle to store packages in the trunk as you continue to shop.

RLG

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Release ID: 18-037
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: credit-credit-theft-andor-fraud