Cold case: Smithsonian curator was shot in his elevator

Alfred Steck, a Smithsonian sculptor, was riding the elevator at his Silver Spring high-rise when he became another victim in  a bloody string of robbery murders in the summer of 1980.

Police are still looking for the two men who were seen running from the apartment building shortly before Steck’s body was discovered. Detectives have another clue: The gun used to kill Steck was later used in the robbery of a clothing store in Takoma Park.

“We’re hoping that over time, somebody who may know who’s responsible for the robberies may have a change of heart and come forward,” said Montgomery County police Detective Ed Golian.

At around 11 p.m. on July 20, 1980, Steck was returning home when he passed two men waiting in the lobby of the apartment building at 75 East Wayne Avenue.

Steck, 27, had an innate attention to detail that recently had earned him a job as a curator of special items for the Smithsonian. He was a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and an expert in working on small figurines.

Steck got into the elevator and hit the button for the sixth floor. A short time later, witnesses heard a loud gunshot then saw two young men race out the lobby and into large white sedan.

Investigation revealed the weapon had been used 10 days earlier to shoot an employee of the Halmar Brothers’ Men’s Clothing store, at 7639 New Hampshire Avenue. That crime remains unsolved as well.

The suspects were described as thin black males, 18 to 22 years old. One man had a light complexion and was about 5 feet 9 inches tall. The  other suspect had a medium brown complexion and was about 5 feet 6 inches tall.

Anybody with information about the crime can call the Montgomery County cold case squad at 240-773-5070. Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and/or indictment for this felony.