Montgomery County detectives are currently piecing together the details of three armed robberies that struck local gas stations last week. According to official reports, an unidentified male suspect is believed to be linked to the incidents in Gaithersburg and Germantown.
The series of crimes began last Thursday, with robberies occurring at both the Liberty Gas Station on S. Frederick Ave and a Sunoco Gas Station on Frederick Road. The suspect, brandishing a large kitchen knife, coerced cashiers into handing over money from the registers. The subsequent encounter, on Sunday at the Exxon Gas Station on Muncaster Mill Road, resulted in a more violent attempt – where the perpetrator, after initially deceiving the cashier with a small purchase, brandished his weapon again, this time attempting to stab the employee.
Detectives have turned to the public for assistance, releasing surveillance images of the suspect in the hopes that someone can identify him. The suspect is described as a "White/Hispanic male, 5-feet, 8-inches to 5-feet, 10-inches tall, weighing 170 to 190 lbs., wearing a large black coat, a blue knit hat, a white/black button-down shirt, and red/black sneakers," as outlined in the press release from the Montgomery County Police Department.
Analysis of surveillance footage suggests that the robberies were the work of a single individual. In light of these events, authorities are offering up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County website or by calling the dedicated tip line. The community is urged to step forward with any details that may contribute to the resolution of these dangerous offenses, and potentially, prevent future occurrences.
