News Releases

Suspect Arrested for Possession of Drugs and Firearm in Germantown

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Central Business District (CBD) Team have arrested and charged Christopher Ritter-Lucas, age 16, as an adult with crimes to include possession of a controlled dangerous substance and firearm-related offenses to include possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by a minor (under the age of 21), and knowingly altering a firearm identification number.

On Friday, September 27, at approximately 3:50 p.m., 5th District CBD officers responded to a call for service at the Target store located at 20908 Frederick Road in Germantown.  A store employee called police to report that two males, one of whom had been asked to leave the store on a previous occasion, were trespassing.  The first arriving officer approached the two juveniles as they exited the bathroom and after informing them that they were trespassing and that the officer needed to also speak to Ritter-Lucas about a different ongoing criminal matter, the two juveniles fled on foot.  Officers pursued and Ritter-Lucas and the other 16-year-old male suspect were taken into custody.

Officers recovered a revolver inside of Ritter-Lucas' backpack; the serial number on the gun had been obliterated.  Marijuana was also found in his backpack.

Marijuana was found in the other juvenile's possession.

During a police interview, Ritter-Lucas made an admission that his purpose of going to the bathroom in the Target store was to conduct a drug transaction.

Ritter-Lucas was transported to the Central Processing Unit and charged as an adult.  He has been released on bond.

The 16-year-old male was charged as a minor with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and obstructing and hindering and was released to the custody of his guardian.

Fifth District Commander Mark Plazinski says of the arrest, "I am very proud of the response of our officers.  They were able to apprehend these juvenile offenders, one who was armed with a handgun, without injuries to any resident, officer, or the offenders.  Their efforts reflect positively on the police department.”

A photo of Ritter-Lucas will not be released because he is a juvenile.

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Release ID: 19-383
Media Contact: Rebecca Innocenti 
Categories: drug-investigation, firearm