Rockville Man, 2 Teens Among 6 Charged in North Potomac Heists

Two Rockville teens and a 21-year-old Rockville man were among six people charged in a North Potomac burglary spree that netted more than $100,000 worth of items, Montgomery County Police said Thursday.

According to District Court records accessed online, Tita Ntemgwa Fontava, 21, of the 14000 block of Pellita Terrace, has been charged with 56 counts of burglary, theft, property destruction and related conspiracy charges.

Fontava is being held on $20,000 bail and is awaiting a March 1 court hearing. His bail was initially $85,000, the court records show.

A 16-year-old male and a 17-year-old male were charged with numerous counts of first-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary, conspiracy, malicious destruction of property and the associated theft charges, Montgomery County police said on Thursday.

A 17-year-old male from North Potomac has also been charged.

Patch does not release the names of minors.

Montgomery County Police are investigating a series of daytime and nighttime residential burglaries that have occurred since May 2012, with most incidents reported in August.

Police said the suspects targeted more than 30 homes Travilah Road, south of Darnestown Road, gaining entry by forcing open windows and doors.

Jewelry, cash and small electronic items such as computers and cell phones were taken.

Police were tipped off on Jan. 8, when responding to reports of a suspicious person knocking on doors in the area of Dufief Mill Road and Lake Winds Way.

A short time later, officers found a vehicle in the area with the person who fit the suspect’s description, as well as three other males, and determined that all of them were linked to the burglaries.

Police said additional suspects were arrested and $45,000 worth of property was recovered.

The two other adults were also charged with numerous counts of first-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary, conspiracy, malicious destruction of property and the associated theft charges.

Police said Ernest James Jeffreys, 20, of the 11100 block of Captains Walk Court in Gaithersburg, is out on bond and is awaiting a March 1 court hearing.

David Cho, 19, of the 11700 block of Cider Press Place in Germantown, is out on bond and has a hearing scheduled Friday, police said.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and have asked people with information to call Montgomery County police’s Rockville Investigative Section at 240-773-6084.