Gaithersburg, MD – 4th District officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Central Business District Team have arrested 27-year-old Carlos Alejandro Ayala, of no fixed address, following a theft at a store in Wheaton Mall.
The investigation has revealed that on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Ayala entered the store, took a large quantity of merchandise and ran out. Officers conducting proactive foot patrols inside the mall observed Ayala running out of the store with a backpack containing stolen items.
Officers pursued Ayala to the 11200 block of Grandview Avenue, where he was taken into custody.
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During the foot pursuit, Ayala discarded the backpack containing the stolen merchandise. Officers recovered the backpack and all stolen property, which was returned to the store.
Since February 2026, Ayala has stolen more than $16,000 worth of merchandise from the store and had not been apprehended until now.
Further investigation revealed that Ayala had two outstanding felony warrants for theft under $25,000.
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Ayala was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit and charged with theft: $100 to under $1,500, obstructing and hindering, and related charges. He is being held without bond.
Read the original article at mcgov