The Montgomery County Department of Police 3rd District reported significant results following its Holiday Crime Suppression Task Force, which operated from December 2025 through January 2026 in Downtown Silver Spring and nearby areas.
The seasonal initiative focused on retail theft, robberies, and organized shoplifting during the busy holiday period. Officers worked closely with loss prevention teams at major retail locations throughout the district, including Ellsworth Place, Safeway, CVS Pharmacy, Target, and the Orchard Shopping Center on Cherry Hill Road. The coordinated effort was aimed at deterring crime, identifying offenders, and apprehending individuals involved in theft and related offenses.
According to police, there were zero reported robberies in the targeted area during the entire duration of the task force. “This task force was implemented in response to increased retail theft during the holiday season and ongoing concerns from our business community,” said 3rd District Commander Jason Cokinos. “By working directly with our retail partners, we were able to address crime proactively and improve safety in one of the county’s busiest commercial areas.”
The detail concluded on January 10, 2026. During the operation, the six officer team arrested 44 individuals for theft, two for auto theft, and eight for drug related offenses. Officers also conducted more than 268 traffic stops, which led to the recovery of two illegal handguns.
Police highlighted several notable incidents during the operation. Officers recovered more than $8,000 in stolen merchandise, with 29 suspects charged for thefts tied to Target locations alone. On December 2, 2025, officers patrolling near the Silver Spring Metro station observed a suspect attempting to evade fare payment. After a brief foot pursuit, the individual was arrested and found to be carrying a loaded firearm. The suspect was additionally charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On December 8, 2025, a traffic stop near Columbia Pike and Stewart Lane resulted in the recovery of a handgun equipped with an extended magazine. Later in the month, on December 17, officers attempted to apprehend a shoplifting suspect at Target who fled in a previously reported stolen vehicle. The suspect was quickly arrested and later connected to additional crimes in surrounding jurisdictions.
Police say this operation marks the first of several targeted enforcement initiatives planned for the 3rd District in 2026 as part of a broader strategy to address crime in commercial areas.
