Police arrest suspect for 12 robberies

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. -  

Montgomery County detectives have arrested a man they believe is responsible for 10 commercial robberies and two street robberies between December 27, 2012 and February 17.

According to Montgomery County  police, On February 17, 6th District officers responded to two reports of armed robberies that occurred within a short time in the same area.  At 9:23 p.m., officers responded to the Chinese Express located at 849 Russell Avenue,  and at 9:27 p.m., officers responded to the Exxon gas station located at 24A Montgomery Village Avenue both in Gaithersburg .  At the Chinese Express, a suspect entered the restaurant, displayed a handgun, and demanded money.  The suspect did not obtain any money and fled.  At the Exxon, the suspect entered the store, displayed a handgun, and demanded money.  The suspect obtained money and cigarettes and fled.  In both incidents, the suspect was described as a black male wearing a black ski mask and a black and gray jacket.

According to police, on February 17 detectives from the Major Crimes Divison - Robbery Section arrested Duane James, 52, of the 18600 block of Mustard Seed Court in Germantown after an officer conducted a routine traffic stop on Jame's vehicle after he failed to stop at a traffic control device. Based on surveillance video obtained from the robbery locations and evidence located in the vehicle, including a handgun, the suspect was placed under arrest for the earlier robberies.

On February 18, James was charged with two counts of armed robbery for the Chinese Express and the Exxon robberies as well as having a handgun in a vehicle and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.  Following his arrest, robbery detectives obtained a warrant charging James with an additional nine armed robbery charges and three first-degree assault charges for the above listed robberies.

James is currently being held without bond.