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County police charged four men and one juvenile Sept. 3 in connection with a series of armed robberies in August that became increasingly violent and primarily targeted Hispanics in the Wheaton and Rockville areas.
In each of the robberies, suspects were described as young black males, wearing dark clothing and driving an older-model, dark-colored four-door vehicle, according to a news release from Montgomery County Police. The robbers would drive up to mostly Hispanic victims and rob them at gunpoint in targeted areas. In three of the incidents, the victims were hospitalized with serious injuries, police said.
ïGirard Elie Boulware, 18, of the 1600 block of University Boulevard in Silver Spring was charged with four counts of armed robbery, reckless endangerment, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, five counts conspiracy to commit armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, and the use of a handgun in a felony crime.
ïTalif Ekanem-Mason, 18, of the 1000 block of Kembrook Drive in Silver Spring was charged with four counts of armed robbery, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, four counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and the use of a handgun in a felony crime.
ïNoe Aristides Guillen, 19, of the 1700 block of Mayhew Drive in Silver Spring was charged with armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
ïBraxton Alexander Cottingham, 17, of the 13000 block of Clarksburg Square Road in Clarksburg was charged as an adult with attempted armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
ïVictor Alejandro Gutierrez, 18, of the 23400 block of Tailor Shop Place in Clarksburg was charged with armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Gutierrez is out of jail after posting bail Sept. 8. The 2008 Clarksburg High School graduate said Friday he was attending Montgomery College and preparing to sign up for dentistry school before being arrested.
Police also are seeking charges for hate crimes. During interviews with detectives, some of the men allegedly told police that they had targeted Hispanic males. Police said one of the males charged stated that he hated Hispanic people.
The robberies began about 11:20 p.m. Aug. 20 when a Rockville man, who was walking near the intersection of Elizabeth and Superior streets in Rockville, noticed a vehicle with its flashers on. As he walked past the vehicle, a man got out of the car and demanded his property as he pointed a gun at the victim. The victim handed over his property and the other man got back in the car and drove away. The man and other he was with immediately took bank cards stolen from the victim to three convenience stores in Silver Spring and Kensington where they bought $100 gift cards, according to charging documents.
Three days later, a man walking near Fenimore Road and Kensington Boulevard in Wheaton about 10:30 p.m. was approached by several men who struck him with a gun, leaving him unconscious. The men took his property and fled. The victim is still suffering from vision loss in his left eye, according to charging documents.
The next robbery occurred Aug. 27 about 11:40 p.m. when three men from Silver Spring were walking along Dawson Avenue toward Galt Avenue in Wheaton. They were approached from behind by several men and ordered to the ground. A gun was pointed at the victims and their property was taken. The robbers then fled to an awaiting vehicle.
Video surveillance of the suspects using a stolen credit card at the CVS at 3715 University Blvd. in Kensington on Aug. 21 was obtained and posted on a police information Web site, where an officer who observed the Aug. 27 robbery identified one of the men as the same one driving the car Aug. 27.
On Aug. 28, a victim was tapped on the shoulder from behind at Kemper Street and Ashby Road in Rockville and heard a voice say, "Give me your money," according to charging documents. When the victim turned around, the man displayed a black semi-automatic handgun and repeated his demand. The victim didn't remember what happened next but awoke several minutes later with severe injuries. He was taken to a hospital where he had several orbital fractures in both eyes and multiple bruises and cuts on his face, according to charging documents.
On Aug. 29 about 9 p.m., officers observed a group of men getting into a vehicle and circling the area of Prichard Road and Bucknell Drive in Wheaton. The vehicle slowed down as a lone Hispanic male was walking along Prichard Road. The vehicle pulled over to the side of the road with its lights off. Some men got out of the car and walked toward the man, as he turned and continued walking down Bucknell Drive. According to police, the men decided against robbing the victim and got back in the vehicle.
Boulware and Ekanem-Mason are being held on $900,000 bond. Guillen is being held on $250,000 bond. Gutierrez was released on $100,000 bond. Cottingham has been released on $10,000 bond.
Police emphasized the importance of Hispanics contacting police when crimes occur. Lucille Baur, a spokeswoman for county police, said some Hispanics are hesitant to call police because of prior negative experiences with law enforcement in their native countries and some are concerned about questions regarding their immigration status.
"And then there is also the language and cultural differences to a new arrival in the United States who just may not understand the system and feel comfortable speaking to members of law enforcement," she said, noting that county police do not inquire about an immigrant's documentation when speaking to a person concerning a different matter. She also said there are translators available for anyone calling 9-1-1.
The investigation is on-going. Additional charges may be filed and additional suspects may be identified.
