News Releases

Detectives Investigate Distraction Thefts

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Gaithersburg, MD - Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- 5th District Patrol Investigations Unit (PIU) are investigating a series of jewelry distraction thefts that have occurred over the past several months. During these distraction thefts, the suspects appear to have targeted older victims of Asian or Indian descent, wearing gold jewelry.

During these recent thefts, the suspects, in a vehicle, approached the victim, who was walking in the area. A female suspect placed imitation gold jewelry on the victim to distract him/her while removing the victim’s jewelry from his/her person. In many of the cases the female suspect hugged the victim while committing the theft. In some instances, the female suspect remained in the vehicle and committed the theft by calling the victim to the vehicle’s window.

These incidents have occurred in both residential and commercial areas during daylight hours. The suspects’ descriptions and their vehicles vary but investigators believe that there are multiple suspects working together.

Detectives want the public to be aware of the circumstances surrounding these thefts.

Anyone with information regarding these suspect(s) or this crime is asked to contact the 5th District PIU at 240-773-6263 or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Release ID: 22-404
Media Contact: CTDurham 
Categories: theft