Maryland state police investigate attempted robbery of flower vendor in silver spring

Maryland State Police Investigate Attempted Robbery of Flower Vendor in Silver Spring

August 20, 2024

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Maryland State Police are investigating an attempted robbery and assault of a flower vendor that occurred Sunday afternoon in Montgomery County. The incident took place on August 18, 2024, shortly after 3 p.m. on the exit ramp from Interstate 495 East to Route 650 South.

According to a preliminary investigation, a 64-year-old woman was selling flowers along the roadside when she was approached by the occupants of an SUV. The driver of the vehicle, which was stopped in traffic, called her over under the pretense of purchasing flowers. As the woman approached, one of the occupants reportedly grabbed her purse.

As the SUV sped away, the victim was briefly dragged and fell with the purse still attached to her. She was transported to Holy Cross Hospital for treatment of her injuries and was later released.

The SUV involved in the incident is described as a darker-colored vehicle with District of Columbia license plates. Authorities believe it was occupied by at least two Black males, one of whom was wearing a ski mask. The vehicle was last seen heading southbound on Route 650.

A “Be On the Lookout” (BOLO) alert has been issued to both the Montgomery County Police Department and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. The Montgomery County Police Department is assisting with the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Trooper Hershberger at the Rockville Barrack at (301) 424-2101.

Shore News Network

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.