Police Search for Bethesda Purse Thief

Montgomery County Police are asking for the community's help in identifying a man who stole a woman's purse May 1 at the on Old Georgetown Road. Police are releasing images of the incident -- which was caught on surveillance video -- and asking for anyone with information to come forward.

Officers responded to the grocery store at 3:14p.m. May 1. From the surveillance video and their investigation, police said they learned that a husband a wife had been sitting in the restaurant area of the store when a man moved a table behind them. The man placed a chair behind the woman's chair and took off his jacket. Then, he slid the woman's purse off her chair, using his jacket to hide it.

After stealing the purse, the suspect attempted to use the woman's credit card at an Office Depot at 12317 Rockville Pike.

Police are describing the suspect as a white male, 45 to 50 years old, between five feet, eight inches and five feet, ten inches tall and weighing between 150-170 pounds. He was wearing a maroon button-down shirt, brown dress shoes, black glasses, black pants, and a black jacket, police said.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call the Second District Investigative Section at 301-657-0112. Those who wish to remain anonymous and qualify for an reward can call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or 240-773-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest of indictment in the theft. Tipsters can also type “MCPD," along with the tip, on a cell phone or PDA and text it to 274637 (CRIMES).