NEW DETAILS ON

WHEATON PLAZA

SUSPECTS RELEASED

BY MONTGOMERY

COUNTY POLICE

Here is the latest information on yesterday's shoplifting incident at Wheaton Plaza, which ended with two suspects escaping and one in custody. The escapees attempted to strike a county police officer with their silver Honda getaway vehicle, which has since been recovered.

The following statement was issued by the police department:

"Detectives from the Montgomery County Police 4th District Investigative Section continue to investigate a shoplifting incident and potential assault that occurred yesterday evening outside of the Westfield Wheaton shopping center and caused a Montgomery County police officer to discharge his service weapon.

The officer-involved shooting continues to be investigated by the Major Crimes Division of the department.

On Tuesday, March 30 at approximately 5:54 p.m., 4th District officers responded to the report of a shoplifting incident that had just occurred at the Target store in the Westfield Wheaton shopping center located at 11160 Veirs Mill Road in Wheaton. Responding officers were given a description of the getaway vehicle, a silver Honda, from store security officers. It was learned that one suspect had already brought stolen items to the vehicle and had returned to the store.

Two 4th District officers located the vehicle leaving the Target parking lot and attempted to stop it. Detectives are investigating the circumstances that caused the officer to shoot, including a potential assault caused by the suspect driver attempting to strike the officer with his vehicle.

The vehicle fled from the officers. It was located a short time later unoccupied near the Bally’s fitness center in the shopping center. Based on the preliminary investigation there is no evidence that the suspects received any injuries from the shooting. No officers were injured. One shoplifting suspect was taken into custody inside the Target store.

Terry Maugans, age 66, of no fixed address, was charged with theft under $1,000. He is currently being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center on a $3500 bond.

The two remaining suspects who fled in the vehicle, bailed out of that vehicle, and then fled on foot, remain at-large. They are described as two Hispanic males, in their early 30’s, approximately 5’9” tall, and weighing approximately 160 pounds.

As is standard procedure, Officer George Saoutis who fired his service weapon, has been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation is being conducted. He is assigned to the 4th District Police Station in Wheaton and has been with the department for approximately two and a half years. Anyone with information about the shooting incident is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Anyone with information about the shoplifting and/or assault and suspects is asked to call the 4th District Investigative Section at 240-773-5530. Callers may remain anonymous."