Suspect Arrested in Safeway Armed Robbery

An anonymous tip has led to the arrest of a DC man on charges of robbing a Rockville Safety store at gunpoint, and a tipster may collect a reward.

Montgomery County Police have arrested Maurice Leonard Brown, 46, of Washington, D.C., for the Sept. 17 armed robbery of the Safeway store at 5200 Randolph Road in Rockville.

Police say a tip to Crime Solvers led them to Brown, so the tipster who called with information about the case is eligible for a reward. That person should call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) and provide his/her tip number.

Police say Brown stole property from the store and threatened the manager with a weapon after the manager attempted to stop him. He then fled on foot toward the area of Parklawn Drive.

A week later detectives released surveillance video of the suspect being confronted by the manager and photographs of Brown and asked for the public’s help in identifying him. A tip then led police to identify Brown as the suspect.

He was arrested Tuesday in Washington, D.C., on the strength of the Montgomery County arrest warrant. Brown was charged with one count of armed robbery and one count of first-degree assault. He is being held on a $35,000 bond.

»Photo of Maurice Brown, courtesy of Montgomery County Police