Police Believe Suspect is Linked to Two SunTrust Bank Robberies

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 28, 2011	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Update        Update        Update      Update

Police Believe Suspect is Linked
to Two SunTrust Bank Robberies

Updated Information

Related References:
July 21 Robbery
January 7 Robbery


Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Robbery Section believe they have linked the same, unknown suspect to two, armed robberies of the SunTrust Bank located at 9812 Falls Road in Potomac. The first bank robbery occurred on January 7, 2011, and the second bank robbery occurred on July 21, 2011.

On January 7, 2011, at approximately 1:31 p.m., officers from the 1st District responded to the SunTrust Bank located at 9812 Falls Road in Potomac for the report of a bank robbery that just occurred. Investigation revealed that the suspect entered the bank wearing sunglasses, gloves, and a hood in an attempt to conceal his identity. The suspect approached the teller, displayed a handgun, and demanded cash. After the suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of cash, he fled on foot in an unknown direction. The bank’s surveillance system captured the suspect on camera.

On July 21, 2011, at approximately 9:54 a.m., officers from the 1st District responded to the SunTrust Bank in Potomac for the report of a bank robbery that just occurred. Investigation revealed that the suspect entered the bank wearing sunglasses and a mask to conceal his identity. The suspect approached the teller, displayed a handgun, and demanded cash. After the suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of cash, he fled on foot in an unknown direction. A surveillance photograph of the suspect was obtained by police.

Montgomery County Police Robbery detectives investigating the two bank robberies noticed the similarity in the suspect description and the suspect modus operandi. Surveillance photographs of the suspect obtained from the robberies led detectives to believe that the two robberies are linked to the same, unknown suspect.

Detectives are asking anyone who has information about the bank robberies and/or the suspect to call the Robbery Section at 240-773-5100. Those who wish to remain anonymous should call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or at 240-773-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information provided to them that leads to the arrest and/or indictment of the person responsible for these bank robberies. Anonymous tips can also be provided by typing “MCPD” plus the tip on a cell phone or PDA and texting it to 274637 (CRIMES).

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 18, 2011	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Update        Update        Update      Update

Police Believe Suspect is Linked to Eleven Bank
Robberies in Montgomery County and Virginia

Updated Information

Robbery Locations Map
Surveillance Photos

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Robbery Section believe the same suspect has committed eight armed bank robberies in Montgomery County between July 2, 2010, and July 21, 2011. Montgomery County Police Robbery detectives have also been in contact with police detectives in Virginia and believe the same suspect is responsible for two bank robberies in Alexandria and a bank robbery in Arlington. Today, Montgomery County Police Robbery detectives are re-releasing photographs of the suspect and are asking the public for help in identifying the suspect. The 11 bank robberies believed to have been committed by the same person are as follows:

• July 2, 2010, Sovereign Bank, 17920 Georgia Avenue, Olney, approximately 12:27 p.m. (map location 1)
• September 1, 2010, Sovereign Bank, 17920 Georgia Avenue, Olney, approximately 3:10 p.m. (map location 1)
• October 14, 2010, M&T Bank, 11161 New Hampshire Avenue, White Oak, approximately 2:33 p.m. (map location 2)
• October 30, 2010 – Wachovia Bank, 16810 Georgia Avenue, Olney, approximately 10:21 a.m. (map location 3)
• November 16, 2010 – M&T Bank, 11161 New Hampshire Avenue, White Oak, approximately 11:16 a.m. (map location 2)
• December 14, 2010 – BB&T Bank, 2947 S. Glebe Road, Arlington, approximately 2:15 p.m.
• December 20, 2010 – Bank of America, 600 North Washington Street, Alexandria, approximately 2:45 p.m.
• December 27, 2010 – PNC Bank, 1700 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, approximately 2:15 p.m.
• January 7, 2011 – SunTrust Bank, 9812 Falls Road, Potomac, approximately 1:31 p.m. (map location 4)
• February 1, 2011 – Sovereign Bank, 481 N. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, approximately 3:27 p.m. (map location 5)
• July 21, 2011 – SunTrust Bank, 9812 Falls Road, Potomac, approximately 9:54 a.m. (map location 4)

Linked dates are to the original press releases for each incident

For more information regarding the Alexandria, Virginia, bank robberies believed to be linked to the same suspect, please call the Alexandria Police Department’s Public Information Office at: 703-838-4636. For information regarding the Arlington, Virginia, bank robbery, contact the department at: 703-228-4331.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the bank robberies and/or the suspect to call the Montgomery County Police - Robbery Section at 240-773-5100. Those who wish to remain anonymous should call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or at 240-773-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information provided to them that leads to the arrest and/or indictment of the person responsible for these bank robberies. Anonymous tips can also be provided by typing “MCPD” plus the tip on a cell phone or PDA and texting it to 274637 (CRIMES).

Montgomery County Bank Robbery Locations

1

2

3

4

5

Surveillance Photos

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 2, 2011	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Update        Update        Update      Update

Wheaton BB&T Bank Robbery Believed to
Be 13th Committed by Same Suspect

Send  an Online Tip or send the police a Text Tip

Updated Information

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division - Robbery Section and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the armed robbery of a BB&T Bank in Wheaton that occurred today at approximately 12:13 p.m. Detectives believe this is the 13th bank robbery committed by the same suspect.

On September 2, 2011 at approximately 12:13 p.m., officers from the 4th District responded to the BB&T bank located at 11501 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton for a report of an armed bank robbery that had just occurred. The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect entered the bank with a gun and announced a robbery. The teller complied with the suspect’s demands and the suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of currency. The suspect then exited the bank and was last seen walking down Georgia Avenue towards Blueridge Avenue. The bank’s surveillance system was able to capture the suspect on video. No one was injured in this incident.

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Robbery Section believe the suspect involved in today’s robbery has committed nine armed bank robberies in Montgomery County between July 2, 2010 and today’s date. Montgomery County Police Robbery detectives have also been in contact with police detectives in Virginia and believe the same suspect is responsible for two bank robberies in Alexandria, one bank robbery in Falls Church, and another bank robbery in Arlington. Today, Montgomery County Police Robbery detectives are asking the public for help in identifying the suspect. The 13 bank robberies believed to have been committed by this suspect are as follows:

• July 2, 2010, Sovereign Bank, 17920 Georgia Avenue, Olney, approximately 12:27 p.m.
• September 1, 2010, Sovereign Bank, 17920 Georgia Avenue, Olney, approximately 3:10 p.m.
• October 14, 2010, M&T Bank, 11161 New Hampshire Avenue, White Oak, approximately 2:33 p.m.
• October 30, 2010 – Wachovia Bank, 16810 Georgia Avenue, Olney, approximately 10:21 a.m.
• November 16, 2010 – M&T Bank, 11161 New Hampshire Avenue, White Oak, approximately 11:16 a.m.
• December 14, 2010, BB&T Bank, 2947 S. Glebe Road, Arlington, approximately 2:15 p.m.
• December 20, 2010, Bank of America, 600 North Washington Street, Alexandria, approximately 2:45 p.m.
• December 27, 2010, PNC Bank, 1700 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, approximately 2:15 p.m.
• January 7, 2011, SunTrust Bank, 9812 Falls Road, Potomac, approximately 1:31 p.m.
• February 1, 2011, Sovereign Bank, 481 N. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, approximately 3:27 p.m.
• July 21, 2011, SunTrust Bank, 9812 Falls Road, Potomac, approximately 9:54 a.m.
• August 4, 2011, SunTrust Bank, 603 W. Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia, approximately 10:06 a.m.
• September 2, 2011, BB&T Bank, 11501 Georgia Avenue, approximately 12:13 p.m.

Suspect Still at Large

The suspect is described as a black male with a medium to dark complexion. He is 6’0” to 6’2” tall and weighs approximately 180 to 200 pounds.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the bank robberies and/or the suspect to call the Montgomery County Police - Robbery Section at 240-773-5100. Those who wish to remain anonymous should call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or at 240-773-TIPS (8477). Anonymous tips can also be provided by typing “MCPD” plus the tip on a cell phone or PDA and texting it to 274637 (CRIMES). Crime Solvers has increased the cash reward from $1,000 to $2,500 for information provided to them that leads to the arrest and/or indictment of the person responsible for these bank robberies.

Text-a-Tip Program
Type “MCPD” plus the tip on your cell phone or PDA and text it to 274637 (CRIMES). The text message is encrypted and an alias is generated, masking the identity of the sender from the police. The police have no way of determining the user’s identity. An anonymous 2 way dialogue is possible with investigators.

Surveillance Photo

11501 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 18, 2011	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Update        Update        Update      Update

Serial Bank Robber Arrested

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division - Robbery Section have arrested and charged a suspect for committing seven armed bank robberies between October 14, 2010 and September 2, 2011. Detectives continue to investigate whether the suspect is responsible for additional bank robberies in the county.

During the course of this investigation, police detectives released bank surveillance photographs to the media. Numerous tips were received and one anonymous tip led to the identity of the suspect as Samuel Lewis, age 44, of Beltsville, Maryland. On September 16, Samuel Lewis was arrested by Montgomery County Police in Prince George’s County. Samuel Lewis has been charged with seven counts of armed robbery and seven counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Lewis is currently being held on $1,000,000 bond. A bond review hearing will be held on Monday, September 19, at 1:00 p.m. in Rockville District Court.

Samuel Lewis is suspected of committing additional bank robberies in Arlington, Virginia and Alexandria, Virginia.

The anonymous tipster in this case, who received a unique, identifying number when he/she called police, is eligible for an award of up to $2,500 offered though Crime Solvers of Montgomery County. Police urge the anonymous tipster to call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or 240-773-TIPS (8477) and provide his/her unique number to receive information on how to obtain this reward.

The Montgomery County Police Department would like to thank the media for their assistance in this case.

Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, Maryland, is a non-profit organization designed to enlist the aid of the community in assisting the Montgomery County Police solve crimes. Citizens may contact Crime Solvers anonymously by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or 240-773-TIPS (8477) or by typing “MCPD” plus the tip on a cell phone or PDA and texting it to 274637 (CRIMES). If this anonymous information leads to an arrest, the caller is entitled to a cash reward. For more information on Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, please visit: www.mccrimesolvers.com

Samuel Lewis