Detectives Investigate Church Burglary in Chevy Chase; Photo of suspect released

For immediate release: Friday, May 10, 2024

Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – 2nd District Investigations Division are investigating a burglary that occurred on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 5400 block of Western Avenue in Chevy Chase. Investigators have released a photo of the male suspect and are asking the public for help in identifying him.

At around 11 a.m., officers from the 2nd district responded to the scene and reported a burglary.

Investigators’ investigation revealed that an unknown suspect forcibly entered the church and cut copper pipes. The suspect then came across a construction crew who wanted to renovate parts of the church. One of the construction workers filmed the suspect with his cell phone, who then left the crime scene with the stolen goods.

The investigators found items of evidence at the crime scene and obtained a photo of the suspect based on cell phone recordings.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man in his 50s with a trimmed beard and medium build, wearing a white hard hat, a reflective yellow-orange vest, a purple T-shirt, gray gloves and a black backpack.

Anyone with information about this suspect or this crime is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org and click on “www.p3tips.com” link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. Tips with information leading to an arrest may receive a reward ranging from $250 to $10,000. Tips can remain anonymous.

Publication ID: 24-198

Media contact: CC

Categories: Burglary