News Releases

Six Suspects Commit Distraction Theft at Verizon Store; Steal Approximately $24,000 Worth of Cellular Phones

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police - 6th District Investigative Section are investigating a distraction theft committed by six female suspects at a Verizon store in Gaithersburg.  While five of the suspects worked to divert the attention of the store employees, the sixth suspect, in about a minute, stole 29 cellular phones worth approximately $24,000.

On July 18 at approximately 6:30 p.m., the group of suspects entered the Verizon store located at 299 Copley Place in Gaithersburg.  Two of the females entered the store holding a small child.  The women began to move around the store and distracted the employees' attention by asking for assistance.  One of the suspects, appearing to be pregnant, then entered an open storeroom and stole cellular phones.  As she exited that area, an employee confronted her about what she was doing in the room.  The other female suspects then overwhelmed the employee and the group left the store.  The suspects were last seen fleeing from the area in a dark-colored minivan.

Detectives believe that the women, all wearing long skirts, may have modified their clothing to conceal stolen items.  Investigators also believe that the suspect who stole the phones may have pretended to be pregnant in order to use that area of her clothing to hide the cellular phones.

Anyone with information regarding the suspects or this theft is asked to call the 6th District Investigative Section at 240-773-5770.  Those who wish to remain anonymous may 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 an arrest in this case.

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Release ID: 19-319
Media Contact: Rebecca Innocenti 
Categories: theft