Editor’s note: This story, originally published at 6:38 p.m. May 20, was updated at 10:33 a.m. May 21 to remove the name of the suspect. It is MoCo360’s policy not to publish the names of juveniles charged with crimes.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested Saturday and charged with four counts of armed robbery in connection with robberies at two Bethesda businesses last week, according to Montgomery County police.
The suspect, who has no known address, also has been charged with four counts of a firearm used in a violent crime, and other related charges, police said Monday in a release.
He is being charged as an adult after allegedly robbing the two Bethesda businesses twice each.
According to police, the teen is suspected of robbing the Tobacco Hub in the 7800 block of Old Georgetown Road twice on the afternoon of May 12. The suspect allegedly first entered the business just after 2 p.m., displayed a handgun and demanded an employee hand over vape products.
Just over an hour later, police said the suspect returned to the store, displayed the handgun again and demanded cash. He left the business “with an undisclosed amount of money and items,” according to police.
The teen also was charged in connection with two more armed robberies occurring on May 13 and 14 at Geste Beer & Wine in the 4800 block of Edgemoor Lane.
According to police, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the business on the evening of May 13. Police said the suspect entered the store at approximately 7:10 p.m., “asked about the vape products, displayed a handgun and demanded cash from the register” before leaving “with an undisclosed amount of money.”
The following day, the suspect allegedly returned to Geste Beer & Wine and once again brandished a handgun before stealing an undisclosed amount of cash, according to police.
Detectives obtained video surveillance footage from both locations and were able to identify the teen, police said.
The teen is being held without bond, police said. Attorney information for the teen was not available Monday afternoon.