GAITHERSBURG, MD — The Montgomery County Police Department has arrested 41-year-old Carrie Lynn Nelson from Damascus following two attempted armed robberies at separate McDonald’s locations in Gaithersburg.

The first incident occurred on June 9, 2024, at approximately 3:34 p.m. at the McDonald’s on Quince Orchard Boulevard. According to police, Nelson, driving a gray Jeep Cherokee, approached the drive-thru with a handgun visible on her lap. When she announced the robbery by motioning toward the gun, the quick-thinking employee shut the window, prompting Nelson to drive away.

Approximately 18 minutes later, at 3:52 p.m., Nelson targeted another McDonald’s on Montgomery Village Avenue. Similar to the first attempt, she displayed a gun and announced a robbery when the drive-thru window was opened. The employee responded by closing the window, and Nelson again left the scene.

Police officers located Nelson’s vehicle shortly after and conducted a traffic stop. Nelson was arrested without incident and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. She faces two counts of attempted armed robbery and is currently being held without bond.

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