The scheme involves men and women who try to distract their victims. One person will drop an item or get his or her arm stuck in the elevator door. While the victim tries to help, the pickpocket partner steals the wallets from pants pockets or purses.

The thefts have occurred at the Chevy Chase Building at 5530 Wisconsin Ave. in Bethesda, the office building at 10215 Fernwood Road in Bethesda and the Kaiser Building at 10819 Connecticut Ave. in Kensington.

One culprit was described as a black male, 40 to 50 years old, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, with short black hair and weighing about 175 pounds. He wore a blue suit with a green button-down shirt. Another was said to be a black male, about 35 and 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a baseball cap with the letter “N,” a dark jacket and bluejeans.

Another man wore a tan hat, orange button-down shirt, bluejeans and a jacket tied around his waist.

Credit cards stolen from a purse were used by a white female and a black female. The white female is described as 20 to 30 years old, with long blond hair, about 5 feet 5 inches tall and 140 pounds. She wore a long white shirt and black leggings. She was accompanied by a white man between 40 and 50 years old.

The other female culprit was a heavyset, light-skinned black woman, about 40, with short brown hair and about 5 feet 6 inches tall. She wore a blue and gray tank top and bluejeans, and carried a black purse.

Anyone with information can call police at 301-279-8000.