Grocery Store Pickpocket Suspects Charged (Photos)

Montgomery County Police Detectives state they have arrested and charged a husband and wife with theft and fraud for pickpocketing of a victim at the Whole Foods Market in Silver Spring. Karen Kay Steelman, age 52, and Kenneth Harris, age 53, of the 9000 block of Cheval Lane in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, have been charged with seven crimes pertaining to the theft of credit cards and use of the stolen credit cards.
According to police, on June 6, officers responded to the Whole Foods Market located at 833 Wayne Avenue in Silver Spring for the report of a theft of a wallet. The victim stated that when she was finished shopping and attempted to pay for her grocery store items, she realized that her wallet was missing from her purse. One of the victim’s children stated to officers that when his mother left the cart to get an item off a shelf, a male suspect approached the cart with a jacket and placed the jacket over his mother’s purse. The suspect then grabbed the jacket and walked away. Police say further investigation revealed that approximately $1,600 was charged to one of the victim’s credit cards.
Police say detectives were able to obtain video surveillance of two suspects using the card and a fellow Montgomery County police officer was able to identify the suspects.

According to police, on August 1, Montgomery County Police executed a search warrant at the Harris residence in Prince George’s County and evidence of identity theft was seized. Both suspects were present at the home. Steelman was arrested by officers on the strength of a Montgomery County arrest warrant. Harris was taken into custody by Prince George’s County police officers on unrelated charges and has since been released from their custody. There is currently a Montgomery County warrant for Harris’ arrest.
Police indicate, detectives continue to investigate the possible involvement of Steelman and Harris in other thefts in the county. Investigators are also sharing this information with surrounding jurisdictions.

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