Police Seek Information on Suspects in Robbery Spree

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294   240-773-5030
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 10, 2009	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Police Seek Information on Suspects in Robbery Spree

Updated Information

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Robbery Section are investigating two armed robberies that occurred yesterday and this afternoon in Silver Spring. Detectives believe the same suspects are responsible for both robberies and possibly two additional robberies that occurred today in Takoma Park and Washington, D.C.

At approximately 4:12 p.m. today, 3rd District officers responded to the Summit Hill Valet Dry Cleaners, located at 8514 16th Street in Silver Spring, for the report of a robbery that had just occurred. Three suspects entered the store with their faces covered. One suspect displayed a handgun. They demanded cash and the employee complied. The three suspects fled the store and got into a green older model vehicle with Maryland tags.

Yesterday at approximately 8:50 p.m., 2nd District officers responded to the Summit Hill Mini Mart located at 8519 16th Street in Silver Spring, for the report of an armed robbery that had just occurred. Four suspects entered the store with their faces covered. One suspect pointed a handgun at the two store employees and demanded cash. The suspects took proceeds from a Maryland Lottery machine. The suspects then fled in a maroon four-door vehicle with District of Columbia tags.

The suspects are all described as black males in their 20’s. They have medium builds and were wearing dark clothing. In yesterday’s robbery, one suspect was described as wearing a red hooded long sleeve jacket with blue stripes on the arms.

Anyone who has information about the suspects and/or the robberies is asked to call the Robbery Section at 240-773-5100. Callers may remain anonymous.

8500 Block of 16th Street in Silver Spring

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294   240-773-5030
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 13, 2009	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Update        Update        Update      Update

Warrants for Two Suspects after Robbery Spree

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Robbery Section have obtained warrants for two suspects responsible for the April 10, 2009, robbery of the Summit Hill Valet Dry Cleaners located at 8514 16th Street in Silver Spring. These suspects, along with two others who remain at-large have not yet been identified, are believed to be responsible for several armed robberies that have recently been committed in the Metropolitan area.

The warrants are for identified suspects Delonte Richardson, age 16, of the 900 block of Emerson Street in northwest Washington, D.C. and Earl Morton, age 18, of the 900 block of Whaler Place in southeast Washington, D.C. The warrants, which have not yet been served, charge both suspects with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, use of a handgun in the commission of a felony, first-degree assault, and theft less than $500. Morton is being held at the District of Columbia Central Processing Unit and Richarson, who will be charged as an adult, is being held at the District of Columbia Juvenile Processing Center.

On Friday at approximately 9:20 p.m., Prince George’s County Police patrol officers were in Mt. Ranier when they observed a vehicle, a 1995 green Mercury Marquis with Maryland tags, which matched the description of the one used by the suspects in committing Friday robberies in both Takoma Park and Montgomery County. An attempt was made to stop the vehicle in Prince George’s County, but the driver, and three occupants, fled into Washington, D.C. While attempting to elude police in the area of the 4000 block of S. Dakota Avenue, the Mercury struck a Metropolitan Police cruiser, seriously damaging the suspect vehicle. At that time the occupants fled on foot. The driver of the car, Richardson, and Morton were taken into custody by Metropolitan Police. The other two occupants of the car were not located.

The armed robbery in Montgomery County occurred at 4:12 p.m. Three suspects entered the store with their faces covered. One displayed a handgun. They demanded and obtained cash. The three suspects fled from the store getting into the green Marquis driven by a fourth suspect. On Thursday, April 9 at approximately 8:50 p.m., an armed robbery occurred at the Summit Hill Mini Mart located at 8519 16th Street in Silver Spring. Investigation into that robbery continues to determine if it is related to the other incidents.

The two remaining suspects are described as African American and in their late teens or early 20’s, one with a medium build and one with a thin build. Anyone who has information about the remaining suspects is asked to call the Robbery Section at 240-773-5100. Callers may remain anonymous.