Retired MRPD Chief's Discussion

September 18 th : 3600 block of Otis Street : Warrant service – 10:35 pm. Officers stopped a 2005 Honda Accord for a traffic violation. Further investigation revealed that the driver had an open arrest warrant through Prince George’s County for failing to appear in court on a charge of driving while suspended. The vehicle’s registration was suspended with an MSP pickup order on the tags. The driver was arrested on the warrant, issued four traffic citations and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville. The vehicle was impounded and the tags seized for return to MVA. September 19 th : 3300 block of Chillum Road : Hit and run collision – 12:05 am. Officers responded for the report of a traffic collision involving a motorcyclist. Their investigation revealed that the motorcyclist was traveling eastbound on Chillum Road when he was struck by a BMW Z3. The BMW failed to remain at the scene of the collision. The motorcyclist sustained head injuries in the collision and was transported

Congratulations to two of our Mount Rainier City staff members: Kimberly Simpson from the finance department at City Hall and Clarence Weathers, Parking Enforcement Officer at the police department for their success as members of the James E. Jordan Adult Choir, a ministry of the Refreshing Spring Church of God in Christ in Riverdale Park. The Choir recently competed in Verizon’s “How Sweet the Sound™ 2011” regional gospel choir competition in Washington D.C., winning top honors in the Overall Regional Large category. Their performance also earned them the Wireless Video People’s Choice Award. The Choir now moves on to the “How Sweet the Sound™ 2011” grand finale competition in Los Angeles, California on October 28th. Best wishes to Kim and Clarence, and to all the members of the James E. Jordan Adult Choir for continued success as you compete with the biggest names in gospel music and the best choirs in the nation in L.A.!

State Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp has issued a Fraudulent Check Scam Alert to all Maryland’s citizens. Her office has become aware of a sharp increase in “secret shopper” and “lottery” scams involving the receipt of a fraudulent check that appears to be issued by the State of Maryland. The scammers mail the potential victim a fraudulent check, along with a letter from a fake company, usually with a Canadian address. In one scam, the letter says the victim has been selected to conduct a secret shopping assignment. In the other scam, the letter says the victim has won a lottery prize. In both cases, the potential victim is directed to de posit the fraudulent check into their bank account, and then to immediately wire a portion of the check proceeds to the scammers using Western Union or Money Gram. PLEASE NOTE: THE CHECK WILL BE RETURNED AS UNCOLLECTED BECAUSE IT IS COUNTERFEIT, AND ANY MONEY WIRED TO THE SCAMMERS CANNOT BE RETRIEVED. YOU WILL LOSE THAT MONEY AND YOU WILL BE CHARGED BANK FEE

September 11 th : 3300 block of Chillum Road : Traffic – 1 am. Officers stopped a 2007 Hummer H3 for a traffic violation. Further investigation revealed that the driver had a suspended license. He was charged accordingly and his vehicle was impounded. 3300 block of Rhode Island Avenue : Warrant service - 4:30 am. Officers stopped a 2009 Hyundai for a traffic violation. Further investigation revealed that a passenger in the vehicle had an open arrest warrant for failing to appear in court on a charge of driving on a suspended license. He was arrested on the warrant and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville. 3100 block of Queens Chapel Road : Armed robbery – 11 am. Officers responded to the report of a hold-up alarm. When they arrived store employees told them that they had just been robbed by a man described only as an older black male. The employees said that the man came into the store, approached one of the registers and, implying that he had a gun, demanded money from th

September 9 th : 3100 block of Queens Chapel Road : Vandalism to auto – The owner of a 2003 Honda Odyssey reported that sometime between 8 am and 1:15 pm someone slashed both rear tires of her van. 3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue : Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle – 3:40 pm. The owner of Thrifty Car Rental reported that a man rented a 2008 Suzuki and failed to return the vehicle in accordance with his rental agreement. Thrifty obtained documentation from the courts for charges on against the man and the vehicle was entered into NCIC as a stolen vehicle. 3800 block of 34 th Street : Vandalism to auto – 5:20 pm. The owner of a 2008 Honda Civic called police stating that she had found the individual who damaged her vehicle several weeks ago. Further investigation revealed that the suspect kicked the victim’s vehicle while she was waiting at a crosswalk for pedestrians to cross. While driving through the area the victim observed the subject, confronted him and contacted the police

September 4 th : 2500 block of Queens Chapel Road : Emergency petition – 4:50 am. Officers on patrol observed a highly intoxicated man walking through on-coming traffic carrying two 14” long kitchen knives. When the officers stopped the man and ordered him to drop the knives he refused and said that he wanted to die and was going to kill himself. The officers also observed that the man was bleeding from his mouth and had blood on the back of his shirt. A member of the man’s family arrived on the scene and convinced the man to drop the knives and, after a brief struggle officers were able to get him under control. Fire/rescue personnel arrived to transport the man to the hospital and during their on-scene evaluation officers observed that he had a large amount of shattered glass in his hair and on his face along with several long cut/scratch markings on his back just above his waist line. Medics took him to Washington Adventist Hospital where he was committed to medical personnel for a

Courtesy of the Anne Arundel County Police Department: As we quickly approach the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, we would again remind you of the significance of this date.  There still is no creditable information relating to any specific conspiracies or coordinated incidents.  This is somewhat problematic, as it increases the heightened sense of concern about lone wolf incidents.   Whether they are religious zealots or unbalanced citizens, they pose a significant threat, not only on the 11th of September, but on a daily basis.  We only need to look at the arrest of a United States Army soldier who was attempting to bomb Ford Hood, TX, or the wounding of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, as recent examples.  We continue to work closely with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and ask that you be aware of your surroundings and alert for any unusual or suspicious activities.   SEE SOMETHING… SAY SOMETHING.  Call 1-(800) 492-TIPS or  email mdwatch@leo.gov . 

August 28 th : 4200 block of Kaywood Drive : Hit and run collision – 11:50 am. The owner of a 2009 Nissan Cube told officers that an unknown second vehicle struck her vehicle and fled the scene. The owner’s vehicle sustained only minor damage. August 29 th : Queens Chapel Road and Chillum Road : Possession of a handgun/CDS – 12:55 am. Officers stopped a Toyota Camry for a traffic violation. Officers noticed that one of the passengers was very nervous and there was a strong odor of CDS was wafting from the vehicle. Upon further investigation the officers discovered that the passenger was in possession of a Ruger GP 100 .357 Magnum revolver that had previously been reported stolen from an address in Montgomery County. He also had an open arrest warrant out of Prince George’s County for various traffic charges. The officers also learned that the driver had an open arrest warrant out of Montgomery County for burglary and theft; and that he also was in possession of marijuana and did not