News Releases

Update: Third Robbery of a Business Owner Last Night; Detectives Believe Suspects are Following Victim Home from Business

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 19, 2021

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are now investigating three robberies of business owners.  Information about the first two robberies was released by the Department yesterday.  Those two robberies are believed to be related.  Detectives are investigating the possibility that the third robbery, that occurred last night, was also committed by the same suspects. Investigators believe that in all three incidents, the suspects followed the victims from their employment to their homes to rob them of business proceeds (cash).

Last night (February 18) at approximately 6:08 pm, officers responded to a residence in the Fairland area of Silver Spring (3^rd District) for the report of a robbery that had just occurred.  Preliminary investigation has determined that the male and female business owners left their restaurant in Hyattsville (Prince George’s County) and drove to their residence in Fairland.  At the residence, two suspects, described as young Hispanic males, exited a dark-colored four door car and approached the owners.  The suspects demanded the female’s purse in Spanish (both owners speak Spanish) and one suspect displayed a knife.  The suspects stole the female’s purse that contained the restaurant’s proceeds and fled in their vehicle.  This remains an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information about these robberies is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773- 5070. For those who wish to remain anonymous, Crime Solvers of Montgomery County is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s).  Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online or via the P3 Tips app.

Note: The Department is not releasing the names of the businesses to protect the victims’ identities.

 

MCP offers the following robbery prevention tips for business owners:

• Employees and employers should remain alert and observant.  Take note of suspicious persons or vehicles around the business, especially at opening and closing time.

• Try to have at least two employees open/close the business, especially if it is dark.

• Try to use the most visible entrance to the business and avoid back/secluded entrances when opening/closing the business.

 

Bank Deposit Procedures

• Do not advertise that you are carrying the bank deposit.
• Make deposits during the daylight hours and go directly to the bank.
• Try not to carry cash out of your business.
• Stay alert and trust your instincts.  If you see suspicious people loitering near you or your vehicle do not approach or confront them. Call police.
• Do not always travel the same routes to and from work. Be observant and check often to see if you are  being followed.  Call police if necessary.

# # #

Release ID: 21-071
Media Contact: Sergeant Rebecca Innocenti 
Categories: robbery