Woman Spends $700 on Missing Man's Credit Card, Turns Herself in to Police

BETHESDA, MD — While a Prince George's County woman has been charged with racking up $700 in charges on missing man's credit card, authorities have yet to find the Bethesda man who disappeared from a family member's house three weeks ago. Montgomery County Police have had no sign of John Patrick Donohoe or his car, but are working to determine how the shopper obtained Donohoe's credit card.

Chernor Sheriff, 25, of Upper Marlboro, was cited with four counts of fraudulently using a credit card, according to Maryland online court records. She turned herself into Montgomery County Police on Dec. 29 after a relative recognized her in surveillance video detectives had released that showed a woman with a little boy. The woman apparently used a credit card belonging to Donohoe and police asked for the public’s help identifying the woman, now believed to be Sheriff.

Donohoe, 36, of Auburn Avenue, was last seen about 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 13 at a family member’s house on Elmore Lane in Bethesda. The relative returned home from running errands and found that Donohoe had left. Authorities say Donohoe's black 2011 Chevrolet Equinox with Maryland tag 2AK8853 was missing from the relative's house and has not been located.

Donohoe's father is D.C. area developer Bob Donohoe, who has pleaded with the public for help finding his son.

"The credit card has been used, and John's not here. We don't know what the link is. We need to find John. We have to find out what's going on," Bob Donohoe told NBC Washington.

Police are still investigating how Sheriff obtained Donohoe's credit card. Detectives say that on Dec. 22, the woman used Donohoe's credit card to buy a total of $700 worth of items at a beauty supply store and at other retailers in the Hyattsville area.

Donohoe is described as a white man, 5 feet, 11 inches tall, and weighs 145 pounds. He has short black hair, brown eyes and a mustache. Police and family members are concerned for Donohoe’s emotional and physical welfare.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Donohoe is asked to call police at 240-773-5070.

»Photo of John Donohoe of Bethesda, photo of suspected credit card thief, picture of black 2011 Chevrolet Equinox like the one Donohoe drives, all courtesy of Montgomery County Police Department