Preliminary Hearing Scheduled for Germantown Robberies

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 8 in Montgomery County District Court for five men charged in connection with a series of robberies in the region.

The men were arrested in the case Sept. 9. According to a Sept. 10 press release, Travis Mason, 21, Anthony S. Moore, 18, Jose D. Contreras, 18, and Paris T. Lyn, 21, were charged with armed robbery, first-degree assault and other charges. The fifth man, Jovonnie R. Stuart, 20, was charged with gun possession and motor vehicle theft. Police said they believe the men are involved in at least 10 robberies throughout Germantown and Gaithersburg, dating back to March 23. 

Capt. Luther Reynolds, 5th district police chief, said the extent of violence and apparent randomness of this case "is not something that we're accustomed to." Reynolds said residents played a big part in bring these suspects in, as aspect he hopes will continue in the future. 

Mason, Moore, Contreras and Lyn are currently being held in lieu of bail at the Montgomery County Detention Center. Stuart was released after posing a $1 million bond.