Security Guard Knifed By Burglary Suspect At Safeway In Kensington

KENSINGTON, MD —Two Maryland men were charged in connection with a theft from a Safeway store in Kensington where a security guard was cut in the chest with a knife by one of the suspects, according to the Montgomery County Police Department.

Shortly after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, police officers responded to the Safeway in the 10500 block of Connecticut Avenue.

Police learned that William Fernando Calix, 31, of New Carrolton and Christian Alexander Gonzalez, 18, of Hyattsville had entered the Safeway and attempted to steal merchandise.

When a security guard confronted the suspects and attempted to take back the merchandise, Calix displayed a knife and cut the loss prevention officer on the chest, police said. Calix and Gonzalez then stole merchandise and walked out of the store.

When officers arrived on the scene, they spoke with the security guard, who provided a description of the suspects over the radio.

In the 3300 block of University Blvd. West in Kensington, officers located Calix and Gonzalez and recovered the stolen merchandise. The loss prevention officer identified them as the suspects, according to police.

The loss prevention officer was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Calix and Gonzalez were then placed under arrest. Gonzalez was charged with theft via a criminal citation and released. Calix was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he was charged with theft and first-degree assault. He was released on a $10,000 unsecured personal bond.