District Man Arrested for Gaithersburg Armed Robbery

A District of Columbia man is in Metropolitan Police custody awaiting extradition to Montgomery County for an armed robbery he allegedly committed in Gaithersburg earlier this month, officials said.

Benjamin Franklin Allen, 24, of the 1600 block of G Street SE in Washington, DC, was recently arrested on an unrelated charge by Metropolitan Police, Gaithersburg Police spokesman Dan Lane said.

Allen, along with two other suspects, allegedly approached the victim on May 12 in the 400 block of Girard Street. The victim told police he thought Allen was armed at the time.

The three assailants stole cash and fled on foot, Police said.

Allen is known in the community, including by the victim, Police said.

Police received a warrant charging Allen with armed robbery, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and theft less than $1,000, which popped up when he was arrested in DC, Lane said.

According to an online court database, Allen was charged in early 2009 with first degree burglary and theft under $500. He pleaded guilty to the theft charge and the burglary charge was dropped. He served two months in prison and was given one year of probation.