Crime & Safety

Police Follow Leads in Wheaton Plaza Carjackings

Police are cooperating with Westfield mall security and have "heightened awareness" around Wheaton Plaza, police said.

Police are exploring active leads in the investigation of the three kidnappings and robberies in Wheaton Plaza this past week, police said.

One of these leads may come in the form of DNA from when the suspect may have cut his finger during last Wednesday’s carjacking, police said. Police have not definitively confirmed that they have DNA, but they are searching the car for evidence.

No special task force has been set up, but the department’s detectives are handling the case and making it their first priority, police said.

Police have a “heightened awareness” around Wheaton Plaza and are coordinating with Westfield mall security, according to police spokeswoman Officer Rebecca Innocenti.

The area is part of a regular police beat. In addition, officers specially assigned for the holidays are patrolling the mall during regular hours.

Anyone who feels threatened or sees suspicious behavior can always call the police for an escort, Innocenti said.

Police believe the same man is responsible for the three separate incidents,

The first two kidnappings and robberies occurred at the in Wheaton Plaza on Nov. 23 and Nov. 26. The victims were two men, age 75 and 60.

The third incident occurred on Sunday in the Target parking lot at .  Police said the suspect, armed with a box cutter, forced a 77-year-old man into his car and attempted to get him to withdraw money from his bank accounts.

Police have released and are asking the public for help identifying him.


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