News Releases

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 12, 2023

Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigative Section are investigating a theft that occurred on April 10, 2023. Detectives have released photos of the suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.

The preliminary investigation by detectives revealed that the victim was at the TJMaxx store in the 20900 block of Frederick Rd., when she was approached by two suspects, who asked her if she spoke Spanish. When the victim said that she did, the suspects asked for directions to a church in the area that helps immigrants.

Eventually, the victim, suspect one and suspect two decided to sit in the victim’s car and continue their conversation. Suspect one begins to cry as she shares a story about how she had a winning mega millions lottery ticket, but she could not claim the prize, because of her undocumented status.

Suspects one and two then made a phone call suspect three who pretends to work for the “lottery company.” Suspect three advises that suspect one could claim her prize if she has “guarantors” and they would need to come to an office in Rockville with a large amount of cash, “like $10,000 each.”

Suspect two get outs of the car and comes back approximately 20 minutes later with $10,000 in cash. Suspects one and two then ask the victim if she could contribute another $10,000. The victim drives to her home and retrieves $10,000 in cash and puts the money in her glovebox. At that point, one of the suspects begins to complain of a stomachache and asks the victim to drive to a drugstore. The victim goes inside the drug store to buy medicine and when she returns, approximately three minutes later, the two suspects were gone and they took the $10,000 in the glovebox.

Detectives believe that the suspects are likely targeting older/vulnerable victims. 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 Investigations Section at 240-773-6237 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.