News Releases

Update: Detectives Charge Five Suspects in Chevy Chase Purse Thefts

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – 2^nd District Investigative Section have charged the following suspects with theft offenses related to the July 31 theft that occurred at the Saks Fifth Avenue store in Chevy Chase:  

• Devonte Jermaine Brooks, age 23, of the 1000 block of 13^th Street in Southeast, Washington, D.C.
• Dion M. Dean, age 27, of the 5200 block of Newton Street in Bladensburg.
• Justin Lamar Taylor, age 26, of the 7200 block of Flag Harbor Drive in District Heights.
• Trashawn Anthony Trammell, age 24, of an unconfirmed address.
• Samuel Cordell Whitmire, Jr., age 23, of the 5400 block of North Morgan Street in Alexandria, Virginia.

On July 31 at approximately 11:34 a.m., 2nd District officers responded to the Gucci store (which is within the Saks Fifth Avenue store) located at 5555 Wisconsin Avenue for what was the initial report of the robbery that had just occurred.  Detectives have since determined that this was a theft and not a robbery.

The investigation by detectives revealed that two of the suspects entered the Gucci area of the Saks Fifth Avenue store and assaulted an adult male and adult female employee.  Five additional suspects then entered the store and all the suspects began stealing merchandise from display cases inside the store.  The suspects stole approximately $20,000 to $30,000 worth of items and then fled from the store.  The suspects were last seen leaving the area in two passenger vehicles.  Both vehicles were last seen southbound on Wisconsin Avenue entering the District of Columbia.

Through investigation, detectives identified Brooks, Dean, Taylor, Trammell, and Whitmire, Jr.  as suspects.

Brooks and Dean were arrested on the strength of a Montgomery County arrest warrant charging them with Theft: $25,000 to under $100,000.   Dean is currently being held without bond.  Brooks was released after posting a $7,500 bond.

Trammell was charged via a Montgomery County arrest warrant with Theft: $25,000 to under $100,000.  He is currently incarcerated in Washington, D.C., awaiting extradition to Maryland.

Whitmire, Jr. and Taylor were charged via Maryland District Court Summons with Theft: $25,000 to under $100,000 and destruction of property.

This remains an ongoing investigation as detectives continue to work to identify additional suspects.

RLG

**Note: Mugshots for Taylor, Trammell, and Whitmire Jr. are not available**

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Release ID: 18-379
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: theft