News Releases

For Immediate Release: Monday, February 12, 2024

Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects who allegedly committed a strong-arm robbery of a business in the Ellsworth Place Mall in Silver Spring on Thursday, February 1, 2024. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the suspects and a person of interest.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that at approximately 3 p.m., two suspects entered Lela Mobile in the Ellsworth Place Mall to drop a phone off for repair. When the repair was complete and the employee asked for payment, one of the suspects jumped over the counter and grabbed the phone. When the employee attempted to stop him, the suspect hit the employee in the face, and the employee ran away. The second suspect then jumped over the counter and stole property. Both suspects left the store with the stolen property.

Detectives obtained surveillance video of the suspects, and a person of interest that the suspects were seen with while in the Ellsworth Place Mall.

Suspect one is described as Black male, approximately 16 to 20-years-old, 5-feet, 6-inches to 5-feet, 8-inches tall, 115 pounds, wearing a dark colored jacket and black pants.

Suspect two is described as a Black male, approximately 16 to 20 years-old, 5-feet, 6-inches to 5-feet, 8-inches tall, 115 pounds, wearing a black jacket, red hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and a knit hat.

The person of interest is described as a Black female wearing a dark hooded coat and dark colored leggings.

Anyone with information regarding these suspects, this person of interest or this crime is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org (http://www.crimesolversmcmd.org/) and click on the “www.p3tips.com (http://www.p3tips.com/)” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. A reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest. Tips may remain anonymous.