Thieves Still Targeting Women Drivers: Police

A string of car and purse thefts that targets distracted drivers – mostly women – at Silver Spring, Bethesda and Chevy Chase gas stations has continued, police warn.

The Montgomery County Police Department says over last three months, 12 thefts from vehicles and six vehicle thefts have occurred at gas stations while people have been gassing up their vehicles.

The gas stations where the thefts have occurred have been close to the District of Columbia and the Capital Beltway. Many of the August and September thefts were at the 7-Eleven story at 7980 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring, the Exxon station at 8384 Colesville Road in Silver Spring, and gas stations on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase and Westlake Drive in Bethesda. All but one victim has been a woman.

Police urge drivers to lock their vehicles when leaving them unattended and to keep valuables out of sight.

The locations and items stolen in the most recent thefts are:

• Oct. 31: 10211 Westlake Drive, Shell gas station. A purse was stolen from the victim’s vehicle as the victim walked away to go into the gas station.
• Oct. 31: 8384 Colesville Road, Exxon state. The victim’s purse was stolen.
• Nov. 4: 7980 Georia Ave, 7-Eleven store. Stolen vehicle. The vehicle was left unattended with the keys in it while the victim entered the store.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call police at 240-773-6370.