POTOMAC, Md. - Montgomery County (web | news) Police Department detectives say they are investigating vehicle thefts that occurred in parking lots in Potomac, Md.

Authorities say at least 12 daytime thefts were reported since March of this year in parking lots or along the road in the 10800 block of MacArthur Boulevard near the C&O Canal.

Authorities say the thefts usually occurred on weekends between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. They say the suspect stole purses and wallets from the vehicles and then used stolen credit cards to make purchases at Giant stores and CVS pharmacies in Maryland and Virginia.

A group of kayakers along the C&O Canal are packing up Friday night and keeping a sharp eye out for smash-and-grab robbers.

"[They] smash into the car and just grab what's available real quick," said Barry Gay, a Houston kayaker. "They know that you got your stuff in your car. So it's happened to us. That's why we carry things like this."

People like Silver Spring resident Renee Skafte are trying to hide valuables out of plain sight. "I'm going to put my stuff away," she said. "You have all your stuff in the car, whether it's your laptop, your purse, [or] your jewelry."

But many canal users like Constantine Dixons say they had no idea that locking a car is simply not enough. "I think this is an opportune place to steal things from cars. You have people leaving cars, and gone 45 minutes, an hour, or whatever," she said.

Police describe the suspect as a 30- to 35-year-old light-skinned black male or white male. He reportedly has a bald head and mustache and at the time of thefts, was wearing a dark shirt and jean shorts or full-length jeans.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the 1st District Investigative Section at 240-773-6084 or the Montgomery County Police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000. Callers may remain anonymous.

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