Crime & Safety
Wheaton Mall Attack: 3 Suspected Thieves Sought By Police
Three women are accused of pepper-spraying and assaulting people at the Westfield Wheaton mall after being accused of stealing.
WHEATON, MD — Authorities are searching for three women they say pepper-sprayed and assaulted people at the Westfield Wheaton mall after being accused of stealing. Montgomery County Police have released surveillance video and photos of the trio in hopes that the public can help identify them.
At about 12:42 p.m. on Sept. 23, police were called to the shopping center at 11160 Veirs Mill Rd. for the report of a theft that had happened earlier at Target. But when officers arrived, they were redirected to another incident at the opposite end of the mall. That disturbance — police said they later learned — involved the same suspects behind the earlier Target theft.
After stealing from Target, the women tried to swipe merchandise from the Wheaton Beauty Supply store, police said. That's when the store's owner confronted them.
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Two of the suspects, according to authorities, then started punching him. When the store owner's friend came to his aid, the women punched and kicked him, as well. Police said the women also used pepper spray during the attack.
A witness tried calling for help and taking a picture of the suspects with her cell phone. One of the women grabbed the phone and smashed it on the ground. Police said the two other suspects then began assaulting the witness. She was also allegedly pepper-sprayed.
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A man sitting in his car outside the mall observed the suspects assaulting the witness and sprung into action. As he tried taking a video of the assault with his cell phone, police said the suspected thieves pepper-sprayed him.
The women then fled toward the Wheaton Metro station.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the women or these incidents to call police at 240-773-5500. Anonymous tipsters can call county Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest.
Video and photos of the three suspects are posted below.
VIDEO: Montgomery County Police Department/YouTube
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