Police Make Arrests in Camera Thefts

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 23, 2009	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Police Make Arrests in Camera Thefts

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Special Investigations Division – Vice and Intelligence section have arrested two suspects in connection with two separate camera thefts in Rockville.

On Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at approximately 7:54 p.m., an Asian female suspect entered the Ritz Camera store located in the 1700 block of Rockville Pike in Rockville and inquired about a camera. An employee displayed the camera to the suspect. While the employee was distracted, the suspect left the store without paying for the camera and lens. The equipment was valued at $2,000 dollars.

On Thursday, June 18, 2009, a similar incident occurred at the Penn Camera store in Rockville. An Asian female suspect inquired about a $1,700 camera to a store employee. During the conversation, the suspect fled the store without paying for the camera.

The police investigation revealed that suspect Robert Francis Johnson, age 37, of no fixed address, sold both stolen cameras in Bladensburg, Maryland. The female suspect was identified as Eang Lynn Whiting, age 32, of no fixed address. Through the course of the investigation, Whiting was confirmed to be the suspect who fled with the cameras. A warrant was issued for both suspect Johnson and suspect Whiting for two counts of theft and conspiracy to commit theft. Both suspects were located in Aspen Hill and taken into custody without incident.

Both suspects are being held on $5,000 bond.

1700 Block of Rockville Pike in Rockville

Eang Lynn Whiting

Robert Francis Johnson