Woman Charged in Sunglasses Robbery; Second Person Sought

Stephan Simms | MCPD

A 27-year-old woman from the District has been charged in the Dec. 5 robbery that occurred at the ILORI store in Friendship Heights and the Jan. 5 armed robbery of the “Specs New York” store inside the Westfield Montgomery mall in Bethesda, Montgomery County police said.

Stephan Simms of the 3500 block of 19th Street SE was arrested on Montgomery County warrants, charging her with armed robbery, theft: $1,000 to under $10,000, and the use of mace or a chemical device with the intent to injure, a police statement said.

Simms was extradited to Montgomery County and transported to the Central Processing Unit (CPU) where she was ordered to be held without bail, police said.

Unknown person in Specs New York robbery. | MCPD

On Dec. 30, county detectives released surveillance video of the ILORI store robbery and asked for help in identifying her.  Investigators received a tip which led to Simms’ identification, the statement said.  Simms was also identified as the suspect involved in the Specs New York store robbery, police said.

During the Specs New York robbery, Simms and a second unidentified person stole multiple brands of sunglasses having a value of $6,200, police said. Simms pepper-sprayed an employee as she followed the women from the store, police said.

Detectives are still working to identify the second person in this robbery and are releasing a surveillance photograph of the person.

Anyone who recognizes the second person is asked to call police at 240-773-6710. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).  Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest or an indictment.

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