Wheaton Robbery Suspect Arrested (Photo)

Joseph Urrutia
Photo | mymcpnews.com

Montgomery County police have arrested a suspect believed to be responsible for an armed robbery of a convenience store and an armed robbery of a bank that occurred in Wheaton.  Police said the suspect is also responsible for an armed robbery of a bank that occurred on January 23.

On January 23, at approximately 4:17 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the Capital One Bank located at 115 University Boulevard for a report of a bank robbery.  Police said their investigation revealed that the suspect entered the bank, presented a note to the teller, and fled the bank prior to receiving any currency.  Detectives obtained surveillance video of the suspect in the robbery.

On January 28, at approximately 11:43 a.m., 4th District officers responded to the Kiss & Ride Convenience Store located at 11175 Georgia Avenue for a suspicious situation.  Investigation revealed that an armed robbery had just occurred at the store.  According to police, the suspect entered the store, pointed a handgun at an employee, and obtained cash from the register and from the employee’s purse.  The suspect then fled from the store.

Later in the afternoon, at approximately 4:10 p.m., 4th District officers responded to the Capital One Bank located at 11241 Georgia Avenue for a report of an armed robbery.  Investigation revealed that the suspect entered the bank and approached the teller window.  Police said the suspect passed a note to the teller demanding cash and displayed a handgun.  After obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled the bank, according to police.

Following the bank robbery, a 4th District officer in the area observed a taxi cab awaiting a fare, police said.  In a press release, police said the officer inquired with the taxi driver as to who he was picking up.  According to police, while speaking with the taxi driver, the officer noticed a subject matching the description of the suspect in both robberies inside of a nearby business.  Officers stopped the suspect, detained him, and through investigative means determined that he was responsible for both robberies, as well as the Capital One bank robbery on January 23.  The suspect was placed under arrest.

The suspect is identified as Joseph Urrutia, age 47, of Silver Spring.  Urrutia was charged with three counts of armed robbery and is currently being held on a $125,000 bond.

About Staff Writer

View all posts by Staff Writer