GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Montgomery County police have arrested and charged Rafael Stedman Diaz-Powell, 25, in connection with a commercial strong-arm robbery and assault that took place at a Giant Food store in Bethesda this summer.
Diaz-Powell, whose address is unknown, is accused of attempting to return stolen merchandise in exchange for cash at the store, located in the 7100 block of Arlington Road, on June 25, 2024. According to police, when confronted by an employee, Diaz-Powell assaulted the worker and fled with an undisclosed amount of money.
Detectives later identified Diaz-Powell as the suspect. He was spotted on September 22 by employees at another Giant Food store in Kensington, who recognized him from a police news release and alerted nearby officers. Police confirmed an outstanding warrant for Diaz-Powell on an unrelated matter and took him into custody.
On September 25, detectives secured an arrest warrant for Diaz-Powell in connection with the June incident. He is currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit on charges of commercial strong-arm robbery and assault.
