Montgomery County police corral 5 shoplifters in "retail blitz" at Bethesda Safeway

Montgomery County police officers conducted a "retail blitz" at the Safeway store at 5000 Bradley Boulevard in downtown Bethesda last Thursday, March 20, 2025. Over the course of just one afternoon, they were able to catch five shoplifters in action. At 12:30 PM, police say, a man and woman entered the store. The man took items and the two left without paying. Officers stopped them, and both gave false identities.

The man was found to have items belonging to the Safeway on his person, and officers determined that the woman was in conspiracy with him to steal from the store. Police also found he was in possession of drug paraphernalia. They were eventually able to identify the two suspects as Shelon Emmanel Johnson, 34, of no fixed address, and Dequita LaShawn Jones, age not given, of Gaithersburg.

Johnson and Jones were taken into custody and transported to the County jail. Johnson was charged with theft $100 to under $1,500, possession of drug paraphernalia, false statement to peace officer and obstructing and hindering. Jones was charged with conspiracy to commit theft $100 to under $1,500 and released on her own recognizance.

About a 90 minutes later, Daniel Mossing Troen of Kensington, entered the store. Police did not provide his age, either. Officers observed Troen allegedly taking items, and leaving without paying. They issued Troen a trespass notice, and a criminal citation for theft less than $100. Troen was released after signing both documents. 

Less than an hour later, 39-year-old James Baker, 39, and 19-year-old Kristchelle Aniya Wedge, 19, both of Washington, D.C., entered the Safeway and also proceeded to shoplift items and flee. Baker and Wedge were pursued to the Bethesda Metro station, where they were initially arrested. But they were ultimately issued trespass notices and criminal citations, and were released from custody.