From the County’s website:

1/10/2008

Police Investigate Incidents of Purse Snatching in Montgomery Village

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police 6th District Investigative Section are investigating recent purse snatching incidents in Montgomery Village. Between January 6 and January 9, there have been three incidents that have occurred in close proximity to one another.

The first incident occurred on Sunday, January 6, at approximately 8:10 p.m., in the area of the 9600 block of Lost Knife Road in Montgomery Village. Two more incidents occurred on January 9, at 6:00 a.m. in the area of the 10100 block of Ridgeline Drive and at 9:40 a.m. in the area of the 19100 block of Montgomery Village Avenue in Montgomery Village. In each incident, a lone female is approached by the suspect who either grabs the purse from the victim’s shoulder or picked up the victim’s purse after she dropped it on the ground.

The suspect in all three cases has a similar description. He is described as a black male, 20 to 22 years of age, 5’10” to 6’0” tall, weighing 160 to 170 pounds. He was wearing a black baseball cap, a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, and blue jeans.

Some ways to prevent from becoming a victim of a purse snatching:

  1. Travel and/or shop with a friend. Try to stay in well-lighted areas. Walk close to street lights, staying well away from dark corners and alleys.
  2. Never leave a purse unattended, on a store counter, or in a grocery store shopping cart.
  3. Try to keep the purse close to the body and a hand or arm covering it. Avoid wearing the purse strap diagonally across the body. If a thief grabs the purse and tries to run, the strap could cause injury.
  4. Always be aware of your surroundings. Trust your instincts.
  5. Call the police immediately after an incident occurs. Try to make note of the thief’s description.
  6. Keep copies of credit cards, debit cards, and your identification that you carry in your purse or wallet. It will make it easier when reporting them stolen.

Anyone who may have information about the suspect or the incidents is asked to call the 5th/6th District Investigative Section at 301-840-2347. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Contact: Media Services Division Phone: 240.773.5030