Skip to main content

Update: Suspect Charged in Theft and Assault at Home Depot in Aspen Hill; Tipster Helped Close This Case

For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 20, 2018


Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged Luis Andres Portillo, age 29, of the 4100 block of Heathfield Road in Rockville, with armed robbery, assault, and theft offenses that he committed at the Home Depot in Aspen Hill.

On Sunday, December 2, at approximately 3:40 p.m., 4th District officers responded to the Home Depot store located at 14000 Georgia Avenue for the report of a theft and an assault that had just occurred.

The investigation by detectives revealed that the suspect stole a large spool of copper wire from the store and then concealed the spool near a tree line close to the store.  After concealing the wire, the suspect left to retrieve his vehicle which was parked nearby.  Two employees, one of whom had watched the suspect conceal the spool of wire, attempted to retrieve the spool while the suspect was gone.  The suspect returned, threatened the employees with a knife, and stated “that’s mine.”   The suspect loaded the stolen spool of wire into a black, Toyota RAV4 and fled the area.

On December 13, detectives released a surveillance photograph 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 Portillo as the suspect.

On December 18, Portillo was arrested on the strength of a Montgomery County warrant charging him with one count of armed robbery, two counts of first-degree assault, and one count of theft: $100 to under $1,500.  Portillo is currently being held without bond.

The tipster who called Crime Solvers and provided information about this case is eligible for a reward and is asked to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) and provide his/her tip number.

RLG

Luis Andres PortilloLuis Andres Portillo (Original Image)
Original photo that was posted of the suspect who assaulted two employees and stole copper wire from an Aspen Hill Home Depot store.Original photo that was posted of the suspect who assaulted two employees and stole copper wire from an Aspen Hill Home Depot store. (Original Image)


# # #

Release ID: 18-548
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: assault, robbery