GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department are searching for a suspect who was caught on camera robbing an older couple on a walk over the weekend.
The robbery occurred on Sunday at 5 p.m. in the 400 block of Salk Circle.
"We thought that it was maybe someone playing with their dogs and kids," says Marc Wexler, a neighbor who heard the commotion.
"Unfortunately we find out about 20 minutes later that it was a violent assault on the path of this beautiful neighborhood," he told WUSA9.
Surveillance video from the scene shows a man wearing all dark clothing and a winter cap approach the couple from behind and forcibly take a purse. The suspect was then seen running away from the scene on foot in the opposite direction.
"This guy is brazen, I mean to commit a violent assault in the middle of the day on Easter Sunday in a neighborhood full of security cameras, that's a brazen attack," says Wexler.
Detectives continue to investigate the incident and ask any residents in the area of Salk Circle, Steinbeck Avenue and Decoverly Drive that may have cameras to review them from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. that Sunday to check for anyone matching the suspect's description.
Neighbors tell us that the couple that was attacked frequents the path, and that they are recovering from the falls. Neighbors have gathered surveillance video of the incident and are warning people that use the trail until the attacker is caught.
Residents in the area who do find relevant video are asked to send the footage to police at gpdvideo@gaithersburgmd.gov.
The investigation into this incident is active and ongoing.
Anyone with more information about this robbery or the suspect is asked to contact Gaithersburg Police at 301-258-6400.
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