Montgomery County police are investigating three carjackings that happened in the past five days, and they believe the same person is responsible for each crime.
The latest incident occurred Sunday afternoon outside of the Target at the Westfield Shoppingtown Wheaton shopping center. Police said a 77-year-old man was leaving the Target when he was forced into his car at about 1:50 p.m. and was told to drive to an ATM.
On Monday afternoon, Montgomery County Police released a short video of the suspect, captured by a surveillance camera at the Target store in Wheaton.
Police said the victim was cut by the suspect with a box cutter and was beaten. The victim sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries.
The victim was found in the 3500 block of East-West Highway. People in the area noticed the victim in the passenger side of the front seat and called police. Montgomery County police were alerted to the incident at about 3:15 p.m. by Hyattsville police.
Police said the victim was taken to more than one ATM in an effort to obtain cash.
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Investigators believe the person responsible for this crime is the same person wanted for two previous kidnappings and robberies in the area. Both happened at the same Giant grocery store at 2900 University Boulevard in the Westfield Shoppingtown Wheaton shopping center.
Police said a man armed with a box cutter approached a 60-year-old man Saturday afternoon and made him get in the passenger seat of his SUV. Then, investigators said the man was forced to withdraw cash from several ATMs before he was released at a BP gas station on Blair Road in northwest Washington.
Police believe the same robber kidnapped a 75-year-old man from the same parking lot Wednesday.
Police released a description of the suspect late Saturday night. They are looking for a black male with a medium complexion, between 35 and 45 years old, standing between five feet 11 inches tall and six feet tall, and weighing between 175 and 180 pounds. He is described as wearing dark-colored jeans and a black jacket.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division -- Robbery Section at 240-773-5100. Anonymous callers can dial 1-866-8477 or (240) 773-8477 or text "MCPD" and their tip to 274637.
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