Retired MRPD Chief's Discussion

3200 block of Otis Street : At about 9:45 pm officers responded for the report of a domestic assault. The officers’ investigation revealed that the male half of the domestic assaulted his girlfriend leaving several marks and bruises. He was arrested, charged with domestic assault and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville. 3300 block of Rhode Island Avenue : At about 12:15 pm officers received a call for a theft from Party Time Liquors. The individual responsible for the theft (one bottle of Wild Irish Rose) was located outside the store. He was issued a criminal citation for misdemeanor theft and sent on his way without further incident.

Volta Avenue and Upshur Street (Brentwood) : At about 4 pm officers responded for a domestic dispute. While investigating the incident one of the participants was found to have two open arrest warrants through the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office; one was domestic related, the other for 2nd degree assault. She was arrested on the warrants and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

January 22 : 4600 29th Street : At about 1:30 pm officers took a report of a stolen vehicle. The victim told the officers that she had parked her 2004 Nissan Altima, DC tag CU5014 by her residence the night before and when she returned for it today she discovered it had been stolen. 30th Street and Bunker Hill Road : At about 7 pm officers responded to a report of a possible citizen robbery. The officers spoke to the victim who told them that he was getting off the school bus at about 4:00pm when two unknown black males approached him. One of the men asked him what time it was. He reached into his pocket to get his cell phone to check the time. One of the men then asked to use the phone. He said ok and gave him the phone. Seconds after giving him the phone the second subject reached into the victim’s pocket and took his IPod. Both suspects then fled on foot towards Eastern Avenue. The victim said that he was not harmed during the incident and that no demands for his property were made.

No significant incidents to report.

The following information was sent to us by the City’s liability insurance carrier: During the 2008 legislative session, Maryland’s General Assembly enacted HB 72 regarding homeowner’s coverage for water and sewer backup losses. For some time, §19-202 of the Insurance Article has required private insurers that sell homeowners’ insurance policies in Maryland to offer water and sewer backup coverage. Unfortunately, most insurers were offering the coverage only if the homeowner requested it. Effective October 1, 2008, all homeowner insurers that sell policies in Maryland must offer this coverage to policyholders in writing by certified mail within 7 days after the date the policy is initially placed or at the time of each renewal. Homeowners should know that they can protect themselves from unavoidable backups that may occur (even if the problem is in their own line) by purchasing the coverage which must be offered by their homeowner insurer.

3700 block of Rhode Island Avenue : At about 2 pm officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for various traffic violations. Investigation of the driver returned an active arrest warrant for failure to appear in court. He was arrested pursuant to the warrant and a subsequent search of his vehicle incident to the arrest revealed that he was in possession of a small quantity of marijuana. While the officers were processing the man for the outstanding arrest warrant they discovered that the warrant had been previously served on him and not removed from the wanted persons database, therefore it was no longer valid. He was released after receiving a state citation for the traffic violation. CDS possession charges are pending.

3200 block of Chillum Road : At about 2:30 am officers responded for the report of a suspicious tow attempting to tow a vehicle. The reporting person told the officers that she was awakened by the sound of a car alarm. She looked out on the parking lot and saw a tow truck in the process of towing a Jeep Cherokee that belonged to a friend. She was able to convince the driver of the tow truck not to tow the vehicle by paying the driver a $50 “drop” fee. After getting her vehicle released she notified police of the incident. The officers contacted the owner of the tow company, Drive Towing, who told them that the person described by the reporting person as the driver of the tow truck did not match the description of any of his employees. This information led the officers to believe that the tow truck and its driver were imposters and residents should be on the lookout for any tow truck labeled as Drive Towing and report it to police by calling our Communication center at 301-985-656

In order to allow for the efficient flow of traffic into and out of the District of Columbia for Inauguration Day activities on Tuesday January 20th; and to ensure that secondary residential streets are not congested by vehicles trying to avoid Rhode Island Avenue traffic into and out of DC; the City will impose certain parking restrictions and road closures for the day. · There will be no parking allowed along the southbound side of Rhode Island Avenue from 35th Street to Eastern Avenue from 4 am until 3 pm. · There will be no parking allowed along the northbound side of Rhode Island Avenue from Eastern Avenue to 35th Street from 3 pm until Midnight. · Parking along Rhode Island Avenue north of 35th Street (north and southbound) is designated for residents and visitors using the “Presidential” buses leaving from the Mount Rainier bus terminal for downtown DC (see information below). In addition to the Rhode Island Avenue parking restrictions, the following road closures and restrict

January 15 : 3300 block of Queens Chapel Road : At about 12 pm officers responded to check the welfare of an elderly gentleman who had not been seen for approximately two weeks. When the officers gained entry into his apartment they found him deceased. No foul play was suspected or observed. The State medical examiner’s office responded to the scene and took custody of the decedent’s remains and officers made notification to his family members. 3400 block of Newton Place : At about 9:30 am officers responded for the report of an identity theft. The victim told the officers she discovered that a Bank of America bank card was issued in her name to person(s) unknown who made several unauthorized purchases using the fraudulent card. The victim was issued a case number for her records and BofA investigators will be following up. 2700 block of Webster Street : At about 6:15 pm officers responded for the report of a residential burglary. The victim told the officers that he left home th

In order to allow for the efficient flow of traffic into and out of the District of Columbia for Inauguration Day activities on Tuesday January 20th; and to ensure that secondary residential streets are not congested by vehicles trying to avoid Rhode Island Avenue traffic into and out of DC; the City will impose certain parking restrictions and road closures for the day. · There will be no parking allowed along the southbound side of Rhode Island Avenue from the Bunker Hill Fire Station to Eastern Avenue from 4 am until 3 pm. · There will be no parking allowed along the northbound side of Rhode Island Avenue from Eastern Avenue to 37th Place from 3 pm until Midnight. In addition to the Rhode Island Avenue parking restrictions, the following road closures and restrictions will be in effect: · Drivers will not be able to turn onto 34th Street from Rhode Island Avenue (both eastbound and westbound) from 4 am until Midnight. Vehicles will still be able to use 34th Stre

January 14: 4100 block of 28th Street: At about 7:10 pm officers responded for the report of stolen property. The victim told the officers that person(s) unknown stole her trash can and recycling bin, both of which were put out in front of her residence. The officers checked the area but could not find the stolen items. 3200 block of Arundel Road: At about 12:30 am an MRPD officer patrolling in the area of Chillum and Arundel Roads was almost struck by another vehicle that made an illegal left turn in front of him. The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and discovered that the driver had only a learner’s permit and was not accompanied by a licensed driver. He was issued three state traffic citations and the vehicle was impounded. Officers had cited this individual and impounded his vehicle for the same offense back in December.

January 12 : Nothing of significance to report. January 13 : 3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue : At about 8:30 am officers on patrol observed an individual drinking an alcoholic beverage in a public place. She was issued a criminal citation for the violation and sent on her way without further incident.

January 9: 4100 block of 34th Street: At about 11:15 pm officers responded for the report of a 15 year old juvenile who stated that she wanted to take her life. When the officers arrived they located the girl and saw that she was upset and irate stating that she was having thoughts of committing suicide. The girl has made previous attempts at suicide and wanted to voluntarily commit herself for psychiatric help. The officers took her into custody and transported her to Children’s Hospital for an emergency evaluation. Her father met the officers at the hospital and handled the commitment documents. January 10: 2300 block of Varnum Street: At about 2:45 am officers responded for the report of a theft. A store employee told the officers that four black males entered the store and three of them stole several items totaling $7.25. All four left the store, got into a compact gray vehicle and fled on 22nd Street towards Queens Chapel Road. A canvass of the area was negative for the vehicle

3400 block of Rhode Island Avenue: At about 11 am officers on patrol observed a male subject consuming an alcoholic beverage in a public place. The individual was stopped for the violation and a subsequent warrant check revealed that the individual had an open warrant through the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office. He was arrested and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville. 3300 block of Chillum Road: At about 11:45 pm the MRPD/Brentwood patrol officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle whose tags were suspended and for which a Maryland State Police pick-up order had been issued. When the officer approached the vehicle he smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. The driver was removed from the vehicle and placed under arrest. In a search of the vehicle incident to the driver’s arrest officers discovered a small amount of marijuana and a fully loaded 9mm handgun. A check of the gun through NCIC revealed that it had been stolen from a location in V

3200 block of Queens Chapel Road: At about 2:20 pm officers responded for the report of a citizen strong armed robbery. The victim told the officers that he was approached by as many as many as six black males who collectively pushed him to the ground and stole a small quantity of cash from him. No weapons were displayed or implied, the victim was not injured and he could not provide a description of his assailants. A canvass of the area failed to produce any witnesses or evidence that would assist police in identifying the perpetrators. 4200 block of 30th Street: At about 11:25 pm officers responded to assist fire/rescue with a house fire. The fire department was able to prevent the fire from completely destroying the home; and they preliminarily determined that the fire started in the living room area as a result of sparks from a fireplace. There were no injuries reported, and no damage estimate was available.

There were no reportable events or crimes for Tuesday January 6th. It seems that Officers Rain and Cold were very effective in curtailing criminal and nuisance activities.

3800 block of 31st Street: At about 10:30 am a woman walked into MRPD headquarters to report her wedding band set missing. She told officers that she last saw them in her jewelry box, and believes that a family member may have taken them. The officers filed a miscellaneous incident report (MIR) and gave the woman the case number for insurance/documentation purposes. 3300 block of Buchanan Street: At about 10:10 pm officers responded for the report of a residential burglary. The victim/resident told the officers that person(s) unknown entered her apartment by unknown means (no forced entry observed) and stole various items of personal property including a check book and credit cards. A canvass of the area for witnesses/evidence was negative.

January 1, 2009 : 3300 block of Shepherd Street : At about 2 am officers responded for the report of a hit and run accident. The victim/owner told the officers that she was sitting in her parked car waiting for a friend. She said that another car travelling at a high rate of speed struck her car and continued on its way without stopping. The victim/owner could not provide a description of the striking vehicle. The victim’s vehicle was drivable and sustained only minor damage. 3300 block of Chillum Road : At about 2:25 am officers investigated a hit and run motor vehicle collision. The victim told the officers that he was driving east on Chillum Road when another vehicle pulled out into his path from the parking lot of the 7-11 and collided with his car. The striking vehicle then drove around victim’s vehicle and fled the area west on Chillum Road onto Queens Chapel Road and disappeared. The victim could not provide any information about the striking vehicle. The victim’s vehicle wa

Bunker Hill Road @ Eastern Avenue : At about 10:20 am officers were advised by a citizen of a stop sign down. Investigation revealed that the sign had been struck by an unknown motor vehicle which failed to stop. Public Works was notified to replace the sign. 4200 block of 31st Street : At about 11 am officers recovered a lost Virginia license plate JYU-9067. A check of the registration showed that the plate was not stolen or reported missing. The last known owner was notified and the tag was delivered to the property officer for safekeeping. Otis Street & Eastern Avenue : At about 12:30 pm MRPD was notified by PGPD that their officers recovered a red 1997 Honda Accord that had been taken during an armed carjacking at Otis Street & Eastern Avenue on December 21. The car was in drivable condition, both tags were attached and no arrests were made. The vehicle taken to PGPD’s evidence unit for processing and the owner was notified of the recovery. 4100 block of 29th Street