2 Men Charged In Theft, Assault At Silver Spring Home Depot: Police

SILVER SPRING, MD — Montgomery County police arrested two men in connection with a theft and assault Tuesday night at a Silver Spring Home Depot, according to a police release. A third suspect remains at large.

Officers responded around 9:35 p.m., to the Home Depot store in the for the report of 14000 block of Georgia Avenue for the report of a theft.

At approximately 9:35 p.m., 4th District officers responded to the 14000 block of Georgia Ave. for the report of a theft. Police determined that three suspects had entered the store and took a large number of items. When the store's loss prevention officer confronted them, he was pepper-sprayed by one of the men, according to police. The three then fled the scene in a gray Dodge Charger.

Police located the Charger heading south on Georgia Avenue near Randolph Road and attempted a traffic stop, but the car drove off at a high rate of speed. Eventually, it crashed into a Jeep Grand Cherokee near the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Henderson Avenues. The suspects got out of their vehicle and ran off, but police were able to apprehend two of them.

Police took 22-year-old Sean Palmer of Washington D.C. and 41-year-old Jonte Smith of Brentwood, Maryland to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where they were charged with theft and second-degree assault. They were later released on a $5,000 personal bond, according to police

The two occupants of the Jeep that collided with the Charger were taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Police described the third suspect as a Black man, around 20-years-old, who stood 5-foot-10 and weighed approximately 150 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweater, jogging pants, and white shoes.

Anyone with information about the location of the third suspect or this case is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or 240-773-TIPS or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Callers may remain anonymous.