Seven Suspects Named in Germantown Gang Fight

Charges have been filed against seven people suspected in an alleged gang fight in April involving at least 15 people.

A male was jumped and robbed in the 18000 block of Cottage Garden Drive in Germantown at around 3:30 p.m. April 11, according to court records obtained in Montgomery County District Court.

Police said the suspects involved in the robbery were members of the Rolling Twenties Crips.

The most recent arrest was of a Gaithersburg man, Devonte Marquis Dixon, 19, who was charged with first-and second-degree assault, robbery and armed robbery, theft and related counts of conspiracy.

Dixon is being held on $250,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 20 in District Court.

Court documents named six others indicted on similar charges: a 17-year-old male from Germantown; Robert Cross, 18, of Germantown; Qualin Benjamin, 20, of Boyds; Tayshon Powell, 22, of Silver Spring; Tony Offutt Jr., 24, of Gaithersburg; and Darnail Jefferson, 23, of Germantown.

According to police, the victim agreed to meet with two individuals — Cross and the 17-year-old — in order to “settle a dispute,” though court records and an inquiry to Montgomery County Police did not make clear what the dispute was.

When the victim arrived at the meeting, police said, he was encircled by 15 to 20 people who allegedly beat him up, stole his shoes, his rain jacket, a cell phone and two sets of headphones.

The male escaped the beating, staggered home and was transported to Suburban Hospital for head trauma, court records state.

Initial arrests came days later, after a neighbor reportedly saw a large group of people leaving the area of the assault and claimed to have seen one of the suspects wearing the victim’s shoes.

Police also identified suspects from video footage of the beating and robbery.

Further information regarding this case was unavailable Tuesday. Patch will update this story as more details emerge.