Published on: Thursday, February 07, 2013

By Donna Broadway

GERMANTOWN - Detectives from the 5th District Investigative Section continue to investigate a series of theft from vehicles and robberies in Germantown that are believed to have been committed by the same suspect.  

There have been seven thefts from vehicles and three robberies that have occurred in neighborhoods in the area of Frederick Road and Scenery Drive that are bordered by Middlebrook Road.  

The suspect is described as a black male with a light complexion, 18 to 28 years old, and with a round face. He is approximately 5’7 and approximately 140 pounds.  During the January 22 robbery the suspect was described as wearing a black knit cap, blue jeans, and a turquoise, zipper jacket.  A composite sketch is available at mymcpdnews.com.

Anyone with information about these crimes or the suspect is asked to call the 5th District Investigative Section at 240-773-6200.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or leave a Crime Solvers tip online.

Arrest made in Wheaton Robberies

Detectives from the Major Crimes Division – Robbery Section have arrested a suspect believed to be responsible for an armed robbery of a convenience store and an armed robbery of a bank that occurred yesterday in Wheaton.  The suspect is also responsible for an armed robbery of a bank that occurred on January 23.

The suspect is identified as Joseph Urrutia, age 47, of Silver Spring.  Urrutia was charged with three counts of armed robbery and is currently being held on a $125,000 bond.

Meanwhile, Police are looking for eight black males in connection to a strong-arm robbery at a Safeway in Silver Spring. The victim was a juvenile male. The suspects were able to obtain property.