Girl Scout Theft Suspect Cited For Additional Armed Robbery Charges

ROCKVILLE, MD — A 24-year-old Rockville man already in jail facing a robbery charge for stealing money from a Girl Scout troop selling cookies, was cited by Montgomery County Police for a series of armed robberies that took place in Rockville over the last month, according to a release.

On Monday, Rockville City Police announced that it had arrested Gerrard Luke Harrison for the Feb. 12 robbery of a Girl Scout Troop outside the Safeway in the 14900 block of Shady Grove Road. Police also charged him in connection with the Feb. 18 armed robbery of a food truck driver in the 700 block of Fallsgrove Drive.

On Tuesday, MCDP reported that it had identified Harrison as the suspect wanted in three other robberies in the Rockville area.

Police say that Harrison entered the Smoothie King in the 14900 block of Shady Grove Road on Feb. 21 with a rifle hidden in his clothing. He demanded money from an employee, but when another employee called 911, he fled the scene without stealing any cash, according to police.

On Feb. 25, Harrison entered the Wing Stop in the 14900 block of Shady Grove Road, pointed a black rifle at an employee, and demanded cash, according to police. He left the scene with an undisclosed amount of currency.

A similar incident occurred on Feb. 28, at the 7-Eleven store at 10020 Darnestown Road. Harrison pulled out a black rifle and demanded cash from an employee, who handed over money from the register, according to police.

After reviewing surveillance footage from cameras at the stores and comparing physical descriptions of the person wanted in each case, investigators identified Harrison as the suspect in the three robberies.

While executing a search warrant on Harrison's Rockville residence on March 3, police recovered an air soft rifle, which they say connected him to the crime scenes of the three additional robberies.

Harrison is currently being held without bond in the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he is facing charges of armed robbery, first-degree assault, firearm possession-prohibited person, use of a handgun in the commission of a felony, reckless endangerment, theft, and second-degree assault, according to police.