Amber Alert: TwoTeenagers Missing From DC Area

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Police Reaching Out to Two Missing Teenagers

Eager for Call, Detectives Offer Assurance That Problems 'Can Be Worked Out'

By Steve Vogel

Washington Post
Tuesday, January 23, 2007; Page B02

Police are searching for two Montgomery County teenagers who did not return to their homes after telling their parents they were going to a movie Friday, authorities said yesterday.

Police said they have no evidence of foul play in the disappearance of the two female teenagers. According to a statement released yesterday by Montgomery police, detectives from the Family Crimes Division "are concerned about the mental state of both girls and want to make certain that the teens know that whatever concerns or problems they may be facing can be worked out."

The detectives' concern is based on "comments that the teens have made in the past," said Lucille Baur, a spokeswoman for Montgomery police. She declined to be more specific.

The missing teens are Rachel Samantha Smith, 16, of Potomac and Rachel Lacy Crites, 18, of Gaithersburg. "They have been good friends for at least a year," Bauer said.

Smith spent the night at Crites's house Thursday with the permission of both teenagers' parents. The two were supposed to go to a movie in Georgetown on Friday, police said.

Smith's parents expected her home at 11:30 p.m. Friday, and after she did not return, they called police at 2 a.m. Saturday. "It was unlike her not to stay in touch," Baur said.

Police said that the two teenagers might have gone to Charlestown, W.Va., on Friday.

"We're asking that they please call and let us know they're all right," said Officer Melanie Hanley, a police spokeswoman.

Their parents could not be reached yesterday.

Smith, a student at Wootton High School in Rockville, was described as 5 feet 1 inch tall and 118 pounds, with green eyes and medium-length brown hair. Crites was described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and 110 pounds, with brown eyes and medium-length brown hair.

The teenagers are believed to be driving a dark blue 1997 Subaru Outback station wagon with Maryland license plates MBJ-485.

Anyone with information about the teenagers is asked to call the Montgomery County police non-emergency telephone number, 301-279-8000, or the Family Crimes Division at 240-773-5400.