Three suspects, including two young men from Chevy Chase, have been charged in connection with an armed robbery in downtown Bethesda, authorities reported on Friday, May 23.
The robbery occurred shortly before 10:50 p.m. on Monday, April 21, at Woodmont Avenue and Old Georgetown Road, according to the Montgomery County Department of Police.
Authorities report that three suspects approached four adolescent victims at the scene, with one of them pulling out a firearm and aiming it towards the group.
According to investigators, the suspects demanded cash and belongings from the teens before forcing them to walk to a neighboring ATM to withdraw additional money.
“The suspects ordered the victims to walk to a nearby ATM to withdraw more money and threatened to kill them if they reported the crime to the police,” the investigating officer added.
However, the robbery came to an abrupt halt as a marked Montgomery County Police car approached, leading the robbers to flee the scene.
Investigators later identified the three suspects as Jason Castello and Nicholas Clarkson, both 20 years old, and a Silver Spring youngster.
Detectives pursued Clarkson and Castello to their Chevy Chase residence, where a search warrant led to their arrest.
Officers stated they found “items of evidentiary value” in the home.
The two were charged with armed robbery, first-degree assault, and using a firearm to commit a felony, among other offenses.
As of Friday afternoon, both were still being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. According to authorities, an arrest warrant has been issued for the minor.
