Advance Auto Parts Offers Reward for Woman Wanted in Violent Robberies in Takoma Park, Gaithersburg

Advance Auto Parts is offering a $5,000 reward for a woman wanted in connection to three violent robberies at its locations in Gaithersburg and Takoma Park, according to Montgomery County police.

Held a gunpoint, employees and a customer were thrown to the ground, tied up with duct tape or flexi-cuffs during the incidents. Police said one of the robberies was carried out by a man and a woman wearing disguises and Just Tires work uniforms.

On Friday, police released a photograph of Wanda D. Battle, 45, who was charged with three counts of armed robbery and three counts of first-degree assault. Her co-conspirators have already been arrested, according to police.

The first robbery was Dec. 21, 2011, at the Advance Auto Parts at 15316 Frederick Road in Gaithersburg.  Two masked men targeted an employee who was opening the auto shop for business. The worker was ordered to open the safe before the robber taped up the employee’s hands and with duct tape, according to police.

Police said a woman—whom they claim was Battle—robbed the same auto shop in the same manner on March 7, 2012.

On Sept. 12, 2012, Battle and a co-conspirator walked into wearing “Just Tires” uniforms entered the Advance Auto Parts at 6300 New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park posing as customers, Takoma Park Patch reported.

An employee was forced into an office at gunpoint and another female employee was thrown to the ground. The workers were tied up in flexi-cuffs.

Police said they have an arrest warrant for Battle, but they haven’t been able to find her.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or leave a Crime Solvers tip here.  Tipsters will remain anonymous.  Advance Auto is offering a reward of $5,000 for information leading to her arrest.