By Joe Slaninka

Special to the Sentinel

Armed Bank Robbery in Silver Spring

Two suspects, one armed with a silver, semi-automatic handgun, robbed the Independence Federal Savings Bank located at 7901 Eastern Avenue in Silver Spring on Thursday, Oct. 2, police said.

According to police, the suspects entered the bank at approximately 10:42 a.m., and ordered the manager to open the vault. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of money, the suspects fled in a vehicle in an unknown direction. No one was injured.

Police describe the suspects as black males, both approximately 6 feet tall, weighing 180 pounds. The armed suspect is described wearing black pants and gloves, and the other wore black pants, a yellow jacket and gloves.

Police ask anyone with information to please contact them immediately.

Bank Robbery in Rockville

A man armed with a handgun robbed the Navy Federal Credit Union Bank located on Rockville Pike in Rockville on Monday, Oct. 6, police said.

At approximately 8:09 a.m., the suspect entered the bank, approached the front desk and demanded two employees to lead him to the vault. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of money, the suspect fled out the back door of the bank in an unknown direction. No one was injured.

Police describe the suspect as a Hispanic or possible mixed-race black male with a medium complexion. He is in his 30s, 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-6, weighing between 180 to 220 pounds with a stocky build. He wore a black Safeway apron at the time of the crime.

Suspect arrested after sexual assault in Silver Spring

Police arrested Pablo Ventura-Canales, 24, of Schuyler Road in Silver Spring, Tuesday Oct. 7, for assaulting a 31-year-old woman, police said.

According to police, on Oct. 5 at approximately 2:37 a.m., the suspect approached the victim from behind while walking on the 200 block of Wayne Avenue in Silver Spring. The suspect attempted to force the woman into a nearby wooded area where he proceeded to touch her inappropriately. After struggling, the suspect fled the scene. Police and K9 units located Ventura-Canales and brought him into custody after searching the immediate area.

He faces attempted second-degree rape, third-degree sexual offense, fourth-degree sexual offense, attempted kidnapping, and second-degree assault charges. He is being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center on $750,000 bond.

Two strong-armed robberies along Capital Crescent Trail

On Friday, Sept. 26 at approximately 1:30 p.m. three male suspects assaulted a man, walking alone, after passing them on a trail, police said.

Police said the suspects approached the victim from behind and forced him to the ground. One suspect took a cell phone, iPod and cash while another continued to assault the victim. The suspects fled into the tunnel on Capital Crescent Trail toward Woodmont Avenue. The victim sustained minor injuries.

Police said another similar incident occurred on Sept. 25, at approximately 1:55 p.m. Two suspects assaulted and robbed a 50-year-old Olney man while walking on the Capital Crescent Trail near the entrance of Elm Street Park.

The suspects approached the man, forced him to the ground and demanded cash from him. He complied and the suspects searched his pockets and took his cell phone. The suspects fled along the trail toward Reed Street and Woodmont Avenue. The victim sustained minor injuries.

In both crimes, the suspects are described as black males. The suspects in the Sept. 25 incident are described as 15 to 16-years-old, between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-9, and weighing 150 to 170 pounds.

Police do not know if these crimes are related but ask anyone with information about either of them to please contact them immediately.

Shooting in Colesville Neighborhood

A man was shot after a car collision in a Colesville neighborhood on Monday, Oct. 6, police said.

At approximately 9:55 a.m. a black Toyota Rav4 and an orange Saturn Ion collided at the three-way intersection of Montvale Drive and Flannery Lane. The driver of the Toyota and the three occupants of the Saturn got out of their vehicles. The driver of the Saturn fired several shots and hit the driver of the Toyota in the arm, police said.

"I did not see the crash, but when I looked out my window I saw one of the cars," said Farid Roghani, a resident whose house is located at the intersection. "Soon after that I heard gunshots. A couple of them."

All three occupants of the Saturn were taken into custody but no charges have been filed. The victim was transported to an area hospital but does not suffer from life-threatening injuries. Police learned through the course of the investigation that the suspect and victim are known to each other.