Police arrest 2 for string of thefts at Silver Spring LA Health

Two people from Silver Spring were arrested and charged with multiple counts of theft and fraud.

SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Montgomery County Police Department announced it has arrested and charged two people in connection with a series of robberies that took place at LA Fitness on Bel Pre Road in Silver Spring from June through October 2021.

Police identified the two people arrested as 18-year-old Misgana Kebede and 19-year-old Kai Torel. Maryland court records show that both Kebede and Torel are from Silver Spring.

According to investigators, Kebede assaulted a member of LA Fitness on June 15 after the member accused him of stealing his headphones. Before officers arrived at the scene, Kebede ran away.

According to the MCPD, on October 1 and 13, two people had their debit cards stolen from a locker at LA Fitness. Investigators searched the surveillance footage and determined that Kebede and Torela used the debit cards to make fraudulent transactions at Wheaton.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Kebede on December 2 and he was taken to the Central Processing Unit. Kebede was charged with second-degree assault and 19 counts of theft and fraud. Police say Kebede “was released on December 16 on unsecured personal bail of $5,000.”

A district court subpoena was filed by detectives against Torela. Police say he faces 19 charges of fraud and theft. Maryland case documents show Torela is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Montgomery District Court in Rockville on Jan. 18.

Kebede is scheduled to appear in court in Montgomery County District Court in Silver Spring on February 4, according to Maryland case documents.