WASHINGTON – Montgomery County police are investigating home invasions Tuesday and Wednesday in Wheaton and Bethesda, one of which included a sexual assault.
Wednesday’s incident occurred at about 7:46 a.m. in the 9200 block of Bardon Road.
Officials say a housekeeper at the home off West Cedar Lane had just reported for work shortly before the robbery. She went outside to move her car and encountered the suspect at the front door when she returned.
The man revealed a handgun and forced his way into the house.
The housekeeper, the homeowner and the homeowner’s teenage son were tied up while the suspect rummaged through the home, police say.
At some point during the incident, the housekeeper was sexually assaulted. She was taken to a hospital. The other victims were not injured, police say.
The suspect also stole a bank debit card and the housekeeper’s car keys. He fled in her car.
The stolen card was later used at a CVS in the L’Enfant Plaza area of D.C., officials say.
Tuesday’s incident occurred in the 2900 block of McMahon Road.
Police responded to a call at 10:04 a.m. after a woman had been robbed in the garage of her home. The suspect, believed to be the same man involved in Wednesday’s attack, approached the victim and demanded money.
She emptied her wallet and handed him cash, plus her car keys. The suspect also demanded her debit card and pin number.
He fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle, which was later recovered close to the scene of the crime.
The victim was not injured during the robbery, but her debit card was later used at a bank ATM in Oxon Hill, Md.
The suspect in both incidents is described as a black male, in his late 20s to early 30s, about 5-feet-7-inches tall, with a slim build. He was wearing a black jacket, a sweatshirt with pockets in the front, dark-colored pants and brown-framed eyeglasses. He also wore a black ski mask and gloves.
Officials are still looking for the housekeeper’s car from Wednesday’s incident. It is a gray, 2005 Ford Expedition with Maryland plates, 4AE7450. The car has a McDaniel College sticker on the rear windshield.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Montgomery County police robbery unit at 240-773-5100. Anonymous tips can be left at 1-866-411-8477. Crime Solvers is offering a $1,000 cash reward. Anonymous tips also can be texted by typing “MCPD” plus the tip to 274637.
Police also warn other drivers not to attempt to pull over the car if it is spotted, but to call police.
WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report.
Follow WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
