Holiday Crime Suppression Task Force Targets Retail Theft in Downtown Silver Spring

For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 29, 2026

Gaithersburg, MD – The Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District conducted its Holiday Crime Suppression Task Force from December 2025 through January 2026 in Downtown Silver Spring, with a focus on retail theft, robberies, and organized shoplifting. 

This seasonal initiative was carried out in close partnership with loss prevention personnel at retail stores and businesses throughout the district, including Ellsworth Place, Safeway, CVS Pharmacy, Target, and Orchard Shopping Center on Cherry Hill Road. The collaborative effort was designed to deter criminal activity, identify offenders, and apprehend those responsible for theft and related crimes. As a result of this proactive enforcement effort, there were zero reported robberies in the targeted area throughout the 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 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.”

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The detail ended 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 resulted in the recovery of two illegal handguns.

Highlights of the task force include:

• Officers recovered more than $8,000 in stolen merchandise and charged 29 suspects with theft from Target alone.
• On December 2, 2025, while patrolling near the Silver Spring Metro station, officers observed a suspect attempting to evade fare payment. Following a brief foot pursuit, the suspect was apprehended and found to be in possession of a loaded firearm. The individual was additionally charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
• On December 8, 2025, during a traffic stop near Columbia Pike and Stewart Lane, officers recovered a handgun equipped with an extended magazine.
• On December 17, 2025, while attempting to apprehend a shoplifting suspect at Target, the individual fled in a previously reported stolen vehicle. The suspect was quickly arrested and later linked to additional crimes in surrounding jurisdictions.

This operation marks the first of many targeted enforcement initiatives planned for the 3rd District this year.

Read the original article at mcpd