5 Arrested In 3 Hours During 'Retail Blitz' At MoCo Safeway

BETHESDA, MD — Five people were arrested within three hours last week as county police conducted a "retail blitz" at a Safeway grocery store in Bethesda.

According to Montgomery County police, officers conducted the operation on March 20 at the store located in the 5000 block of Bradley Boulevard.

Around 12:30 p.m., police said a man and woman entered the store and took property without paying for it. Officers arrested the man and found the stolen property as well as drug paraphernalia on his person. The man also provided police with a fake name, authorities said.

Officers were able to identify the suspect as 34-year-old Shelon Emmanel Johnson, address unknown. The search also revealed Johnson had two active arrest warrants for theft and violation of probation for drug possession.

Police said the woman conspired with Johnson to steal the property and also provided officers a fake name. Authorities later identified her as Dequita LaShawn Jones of Gaithersburg.

Johnson and Jones were transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where Johnson was charged with theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, false statement to peace officer and obstructing and hindering.

Jones was charged with conspiracy to commit theft and released on her own recognizance.

Around 2 p.m., another suspect, later identified as Daniel Mossing Troen of Kensington, entered the store, took property and left the store without paying, police said.

Officers issued Troen a trespass notice and a criminal citation for theft less than $100. Troen was released after signing both documents.

Around an hour later, two additional suspects entered the store, grabbed property and left the store without paying. Officers arrested the pair at the Bethesda Metro Station and located the stolen property in their possession.

The suspects, both of Washington, D.C., were identified as 39-year-old James Baker and 19-year-old Kristchelle Aniya Wedge. Officers issued trespass notices and criminal citations to both and charged them with theft between $100 to $1,500. They were both released at the scene.