Distracted Drivers, Mostly Women, Targeted in Car Thefts: Police

Thieves are preying on distracted drivers – mostly women – at Silver Spring, Bethesda and Chevy Chase gas stations, taking everything from purses to cars.

The Montgomery County Police Department says over the last two months, 14 similar thefts have been reported at area gas stations.

Investigators believe the suspects look for someone outside of their vehicle paying for their gas or talking on a cell phone. While the victim is out of their vehicle and distracted, the suspect quickly hops into the victim’s vehicle.

The gas stations where the thefts have occurred have been in close proximity to the District of Columbia and the Capital Beltway. All but one victim has been a woman.

Police urge residents to lock their vehicles when leaving them unattended and to keep valuables out of sight.

The locations and items stolen are:

• Aug. 23 – 7-Eleven store at 7980 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring, stolen vehicle
• Aug. 30 -- 7-Eleven store at 7980 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring, attempted stolen vehicle
• Aug. 10 -- 7-Eleven store at 7980 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring, stolen purse
• Aug. 11 – Exxon station at 10206 New Hampshire Ave. in Silver spring, stolen purse and phone
• Aug. 22 -- 7-Eleven store at 7980 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring, stolen purse
• Aug. 24 – Shell station at 10211 Westlake Dr. in Bethesda, stolen purse
• Aug. 30 – Exxon station at 8384 Colesville Road in Silver Spring,stolen purse and phone
• Sept. 4 -- 7-Eleven store at 7980 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring, stolen purse and phone
• Sept. 20 – Sunoco station at 8240 Wisconsin Ave. in Bethesda, stolen vehicle
• Sept. 21 – Exxon station at 10201 Westlake Dr. in Bethesda, stolen purse
• Sept. 26 – Shell station at 10211 Westlake Dr. in Bethesda, stolen wallet, phone and laptop computer
• Sept. 26 – Gulf station at 8600 Colesville Rd. in Silver Spring, stolen purse, phone and laptop computer and iPad
• Sept. 27 – Liberty gas station at 8550 Connecticut Ave. in Chevy Chase, stolen vehicle
• Sept. 27 – Giant gas station at 8500 Connecticut Ave. in Chevy Chase, stolen purse and iPad

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call police at 240-773-6370.