Off Duty Cop Helps Nab Suspects

Montgomery County police are investigating an attempted armed robbery that occurred on Jan. 1 in Rockville.

It happened at approximately 5:48 p.m. on New Year’s Day in the 5800 block of Nicholson Lane.

According to police, the victim had left White Flint Mall and was walking along Nicholson Lane when she was approached by three suspects demanding cash. Police said one of the suspects punched the woman in the head and when she began screaming the suspects fled.

That’s when a nearby off-duty MPDC officer observed the suspects and followed them to the White Flint Metro station.  Montgomery County police officers responded to the Metro station and placed the suspects under arrest – a 15-year-old male, a 16-year-old male, and a 17-year-old male.  According to police, the 17-year-old male had a BB gun pistol concealed in his waist band.  The 16- and 17-year old suspects were charged as adults.  The 15-year-old male was charged as a juvenile.

Police have identified the suspects charged as adults  as Tywone Omid Sommers, age 16, of Washington, DC and Jalonte Malki Cole, age 17, also of Washington, DC.    Sommers was charged with armed robbery, second-degree assault, and conspiracy to commit both.  Cole was charged with armed robbery, second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit both, and concealing a dangerous weapon.  Cole is currently being held on a $50,000 bond; Sommers was released yesterday on bond.

The 15-year-old was charged as a juvenile with armed robbery, second-degree assault, and conspiracy to commit both.