Commercial Armed Robbery Attempt in Gaithersburg

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 9, 2012	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Commercial Armed Robbery Attempt in Gaithersburg

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Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Robbery Section are investigating an attempted armed robbery in the Flower Hill area of Gaithersburg on January 29.

On January 29, at approximately 10:35 a.m., 6th District officers responded to the Dollar Deal Plus located at 18238 Flower Hill Way in Gaithersburg for the robbery that had just occurred. Through the course of the investigation it was learned that the suspect entered the business as it was opening. He walked through the store before approaching the clerk at the register. At that time he said he had a gun and told the clerk to open the register. The clerk was unable to open the register, so the suspect grabbed the clerk’s personal property and began to exit the store. The clerk followed the suspect and was subsequently assaulted resulting in minor injuries. The suspect was last seen on foot towards Washington Grove Road. No store proceeds were obtained and the clerk’s personal property was recovered at the scene.

Suspect Still at Large

The suspect is described as a black male, 5’9” to 6’ tall, weighing approximately 130 to 140 pounds with long black hair and a mustache and beard. He was last seen wearing a red plaid bandana on his head, a gray sweatshirt, dark blue pajama style pants with small white designs, and sunglasses.

Anyone with information about the suspect and/or robbery is asked to call the Robbery Section at 240-773-5100. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or 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 persons responsible for this felony crime. Anonymous tips can also be provided by typing “MCPD” plus the tip on a cell phone or PDA and texting it to 274637 (CRIMES).

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.

18238 Flower Hill Way in Gaithersburg

Surveillance Photos