News Releases

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – 2nd District Patrol Investigations Unit (PIU) have charged Keith Bembry Oneal Sims, age 28, of the 13500 block of Georgia Avenue in the Wheaton area, with 11 counts of theft and one count of second-degree burglary related to Sims stealing multiple bicycles from residents in the Bethesda area over an extended time period.

Today, detectives are releasing a video of several of the recovered bicycles and are asking residents to contact investigators if they recognize their stolen bicycle. Owners of the stolen bicycles will need to provide proof of ownership: a receipt, photograph, or serial number. If you recognize your stolen bicycle in this video, please contact PIU detectives at 240-773-6729.

In November of 2020, PIU detectives began investigating the report of three stolen bicycles from the bike storage area of an apartment building located in the 6400 block of Rock Forest Drive in Bethesda. The victim who had his three bicycles stolen later contacted detectives when he saw one of his stolen bicycles advertised for sale on a social media platform under a profile belonging to Sims. Detectives uncovered multiple social media postings by Sims that advertised bicycles for sale and noted that all the photographs of the bicycles appeared to have been taken at the same location.

During the investigation, detectives determined that the bicycle advertisement photographs had been taken in the laundry room of an apartment building located in the 13500 block of Georgia Avenue in the Wheaton area. Investigators responded to that address and upon checking the laundry room, they observed multiple bicycles stored inside.

Investigators also began following up on the report of multiple bicycle thefts that occurred over the weekend of November 14 from an apartment building located in the 5400 block of McGrath Boulevard in North Bethesda. During this investigation, detectives determined that the suspect forced entry into a garage area of the building and stole nine bicycles. Investigators also obtained surveillance video from the apartment building that showed the suspect using a rented van to steal the bicycles. Detectives contacted the van rental company and learned that Sims had rented a van during the time period that the bicycle thefts on McGrath Boulevard occurred.

Also during the investigation, detectives learned that Sims was storing bicycles at a residence on Sheraton Lane in Wheaton. On December 17, detectives executed a search warrant at an address in the 2700 block of Sheraton Street in Wheaton. Over 100 bicycles were observed on the property and some of these bicycles were confirmed to have been reported as stolen in Montgomery County.

Sims was arrested on the strength of an arrest warrant. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond.

(Note: the video can be seen at the bottom of this press release)