Man Arrested and Charged Following Assault in Flower Hill Giant; Suspect Attacked and Made Anti-Semitic Statements Towards Victim

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 6th District Investigative Section have arrested and charged 30-year-old Eugene Thompson (a.k.a. Michael Stewart), of Washington, D.C., with the strong-armed robbery that occurred on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at approximately 3:50 p.m., at the Giant grocery store in the 18200 block of Flower Hill Way in Gaithersburg.

The adult male victim stated that he was shopping inside the store when he observed Thompson along with a group of male suspects acting disorderly. When the victim approached the suspects and asked them to stop, the suspects surrounded the victim, with Thompson making anti-Semitic statements towards him.  Thompson then is alleged to have begun physically assaulting the victim, causing him to lose consciousness. Thompson and the other suspects then left store. The victim’s keys were taken following the assault.

6th District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel provided medical treatment to the victim, who was transported to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.   Officers then located Thompson at the McDonald’s restaurant in the 18200 block of Flower Hill Way and identified him as the main suspect.  Thompson was placed under arrest, and following a search of Thompson, discovered the victim’s keys in his possession.  Thompson was transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he was charged with first-degree assault and strong-armed robbery related charges. He is being held without bond.

Detectives from the 6th District Investigative Section continue to investigate this incident and will work with the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office regarding additional Hate Crime charges.