Man Admits Stabbing Wheaton Woman During Breakin: Police

Updated at 2:50 p.m.

WHEATON, MD — A Washington, DC, man charged with stabbing an elderly Wheaton woman to death was caught by police after he allegedly used the victim's debit card and called her bank to change the PIN number, authorities say.

First-degree murder charges have been filed against Kwasi Sadler, 23, of Sheriff Road NE in Washington, D.C., in the death of Linda Cheryl Johnson, 72. First responders found her body Aug. 3 in her residence in the 2700 block of Arcola Avenue.

Montgomery County Police say Sadler stole Johnson's debit card and Toyota Prius, which he helped them locate after his arrest Tuesday.

Sadler was reportedly friends with a tenant who had been living in the victim’s home until a few days before the murder. Police believe Johnson was killed on the morning of Aug. 1. A neighbor saw the victim on July 31, while another neighbor told investigators they saw an unknown black man outside Johnson’s home about 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 1.

Montgomery County Police were called to check on Johnson Aug. 3 after a family member was unable to reach her by phone and became concerned. Detectives say it appears a basement door at Johnson's home was forced open and there were signs of a struggle. The victim’s purse, wallet, car keys, and 2007 Toyota Prius were missing and were presumed to have been stolen.

Johnson’s debit card was used starting Aug. 1 to make inexpensive purchases at six stores in Laurel, Washington, D.C., and Montgomery County. After Johnson's death, police say someone called her bank and tried to change the personal identification number for her debit card. Police say the phone number used to make the call to the bank belonged to Sadler.

Video surveillance from stores reportedly showed Sadler using the victim’s stolen debit card to shop, and an Aug. 1 video showed Sadler’s arm and hand appeared to be bandaged, perhaps from an injury suffered during an assault. Authorities say another video shows Sadler leaving a store after using the victim’s debit card and getting into a vehicle that appeared to be the Toyota Prius taken from the victim’s home.

Sadler was arrested Tuesday by Montgomery County police officers in Rockville. During questioning, Sadler admitted killing Johnson, police say, and told detectives where to find the victim’s car.

Sadler is being held on a no-bond status.

Detectives ask anyone who may have information about Johnson's death to contact the Major Crimes Division at 240.773.5070.

»Photo of murder suspect Kwasi Sadler, courtesy of Montgomery County Police