WASHINGTON — Montgomery County Police have charged two men with theft, after they allegedly broke into a vehicle in Germantown and stole more than $20,000 worth of camera equipment.
At 12 p.m. on Christmas Day, a victim told police that expensive items were stolen from a vehicle parked along Diamond Hill Court in Germantown.
The items stolen: two infrared cameras, a 12 megapixel digital camera, 70-200MM camera lens, gear motor, circuit boards, Beats by Dre headphones, iPod Nano and two laptops.
Two hours later, a neighbor told the victim to search the “Offer Up” app to see if the stolen property had been listed for sale. After checking the app, the victim discovered one of the stolen infrared cameras and headphones for sale.
Montgomery County Police Officer Rick Goodale said sites like “Offer Up,” Ebay and Craigslist are popular with thieves handling stolen property.
“Thieves are getting away from the traditional avenue for disposing of stolen property with pawn shops. Now, it seems, it’s easier to sell the stuff online where you kind of remain anonymous,” Goodale said.
The victim called the person selling the property, said they were interested in buying the items and arranged a meeting at a Germantown Rite-Aid (located right across the Fifth District police station). The victim told the investigating officer about the meeting with the seller.
That evening, at about 6 p.m., county police officers arrived at the Rite-Aid in an unmarked vehicle and posed as potential buyers as well.
Casey A. Mulloy, 20, and Kyle Pestun, 27, were arrested after they showed the stolen property to the undercover officers. Pestun had the iPod Nano when he was arrested.
The officers found the rest of the victim’s belongings and returned them.
Mulloy and Pestun were charged with two counts of theft, two counts of rogue and vagabond and one count of conspiracy.
Mulloy and Pestun were released after they posted bonds of $2,600 and $7,500, respectively.
Officers think there may be additional victims who haven’t reported their thefts to the police.
“Check out some of these online sites and you might be surprised to find your property being listed for sale on there,” Goodale said.
Call 301-279-8000 if you think items have been stolen from your vehicle.
WTOP’s Dick Uliano contributed to this report.
