The co-owner of Ertters Market in Silver Spring says he can sleep more comfortably now that Montgomery County police have arrested a man who allegedly robbed the Dale Drive store at gunpoint twice over a two-week period.
The support of the local community, which helped raise more than $8,000 to purchase a security system for the store, has also been a big help, according to Kevin Tea, who along with his mother, Kelly Tea, owns and operates the neighborhood market at 521 Dale Drive.
Tea told Bethesda Today on Wednesday he was glad police arrested a suspect Tuesday.
“It put me more at ease,” Tea said. “Probably [last night] was the first time I got a good night’s sleep in a long time.”
County police said Wednesday an armed man robbed the market on Jan. 25 and Feb. 6, according to a statement. On Tuesday, police arrested Domonique Nicholas Walker, 24, of Silver Spring, alleging he displayed a gun and stole an undisclosed amount of money from the market during the two robberies, the statement said.
The robberies shook the neighborhood around the market, a staple of the community for decades and a popular stop for students who attend the nearby Silver Spring International Middle School and Sligo Creek Elementary School.
According to police, Walker also allegedly committed armed and attempted armed robberies that occurred at several businesses in Silver Spring and Takoma Park since November.
Those businesses struck by robberies include a 7-Eleven at 12257 Tech Road on Nov. 13 and Dec. 7; Sweet Frog at 11211 New Hampshire Ave. on Nov. 22; Tropical Smoothie Café at 12263 Tech Road on Dec. 19; Saron Beer & Wine at 961 Bonifant St. on Saturday; and a 7-Eleven at 1301 University Blvd. Easton on Tuesday.
While investigating the robberies, police identified Walker as the suspect and obtained an arrest warrant for him, the statement said. In addition to Tuesday’s arrest, police executed a search and seizure warrant at Walker’s residence and found “items of evidentiary value,” the statement said.
Walker is facing multiple counts of armed robbery, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, theft of $100 to $1,500, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to digital court records.
He is being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit in Rockville, police said.
A public defender representing Walker did not immediately respond to Bethesda Today’s request for comment Wednesday evening.
Kevin Tea said he was working in the market during the robberies, which he said took a toll on his mental health.
“I’m still processing it,” he said.
Having community members stop by and check in on him and his mother over the last two weeks has helped him feel better, Tea said.
Support for Ertters
Following the Jan. 25 robbery at Ertters, Silver Spring resident Meg Ahern launched a GoFundMe for the Kevin and Kelly Tea to support them as they recovered from the robbery and to help them purchase a new security system. An outpouring of support and donations followed. Then the market was robbed a second time on Feb. 6.
More than $8,400 has been raised for the market since the GoFundMe fundraiser was launched, surpassing its original goal of $2,200.
Ahern told Bethesda Today on Wednesday that she and other residents of the neighborhood where Ertters is located were “horrified” when they heard about the armed robberies and that Kevin was in the store when they occurred.
“He is a really nice guy who is an important member of our community. We’re really grateful that this family is here, and we really don’t want to see anything bad happen to them,” Ahern said. “I think that’s why a lot of people wanted to support the GoFundMe and have been checking in on them.”
Ahern and her husband have helped the storeowners install a new security system with cameras and to connect with other neighbors for additional help.
One of those neighbors was Hannah Sholder, founder and deputy director of the Charles Koiner Conservancy for Urban Farming.
Sholder told Bethesda Today on Wednesday she used her connections as a community organizer to put the Tea family in touch with the Montgomery County Council as well as the commander of the police department’s 3rd District. Sholder also created and passed along a card for community members to sign showing their support for Ertters Market and the Tea family, she said.
The market, Sholder said, is more than just a convenience store, it’s “a center of the community in many ways.”
“It’s a real family establishment. We stop in at least once a week to get … milk or eggs or a bottle of wine or a snack for my baby, we’re always passing through there,” Sholder said.
Silver Spring resident Jackson Hawkins, 24, who grew up in the neighborhood around the market and attended the nearby schools told Bethesda Today on Wednesday that Ertters has been a staple of his life for nearly 16 years.
When he was in elementary school Hawkins recalled frequenting the market after school to buy 10-cent sour candies. Later as a young adult, the market is his go-to spot to pick up beer or seltzers.
“It’s been good seeing the neighborhood kind of rally around him and his mom and the money they’ve raised, but I still feel awful,” Hawkins said. “It’s a shame to see it happen to a family that is so welcoming of everybody.”
