Car Stolen From Silver Spring Used In String Of Robberies, Police Say

SILVER SPRING, MD — Two men were arrested and charged in connection with a string of robberies and carjackings, and authorities are still looking for another suspect, Montgomery County Police said.

Police said that Joenathan Nelson, 25; Azriel Echavarria, 20; and the third suspect stole a black Honda Ridgeline from Live Oak Drive in Montgomery County, and drove to the 7-Eleven on the 3500 block of University Boulevard West around 7 a.m. Feb. 20. Police say the men went into the store, pulled out handguns and demanded money. One of the suspects took a car key from one of the customers and drove off in their gray Lexus RX, police said. Authorities said one shot was fired, but no one was injured.

Authorities say the group robbed the Food Stop Mini Mart in the 4000 block of Boiling Brook Parkway just after that, also showing guns and firing one round that did not hit anyone.

Police say that the afternoon of Feb. 26, the stolen Lexus was used in a robbery. A few days later, on March 2, two men got out of a black Audi A6 stolen earlier that morning, and robbed a man at gunpoint, police said.

Authorities say the same men then robbed the 7-Eleven on the 11000 block of Georgia Avenue.

Police said they reviewed surveillance footage of the robberies, and arrested and charged Nelson and Echavarria with armed robbery, first-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and armed carjacking related charges.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the third suspect to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5100 or 240-773-TIPS, or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).