Retired MRPD Chief's Discussion

While the Fourth of July should be a time of celebration with friends and family, too often it ends tragically with a death that could have been prevented. Sadly, this holiday is one of the deadliest holidays of the year for alcohol impaired driving crashes. In an effort to reduce the number of fatalities this July 4th, the Mount Rainier Police Department reminds everyone that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving and challenges all drivers to plan ahead this holiday week to prevent them or a loved one from becoming another tragic statistic. Too often when people are celebrating on the Fourth of July, they aren’t thinking about the consequences that their actions could have on their family or on others. These consequences, such as possible jail time, insurance hikes, potential loss of driver’s license, harming and/or killing others, just to name a few should be enough of an incentive not to drink and drive. As people gather with their families and friends to celebrate our Nation’s birth

June 23 rd : 29 th Street and Arundel Road : Traffic – 6:40am. Officers stopped a 2012 Dodge Avenger for a traffic violation. Further investigation revealed that the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. He was issued four traffic citations and released at the scene. His vehicle was impounded for safekeeping. 3300 block of Buchanan Street : Theft from auto – 7:25pm. The owner of a 2006 Toyota Matrix reported that while she was inside the PG Pool someone entered her vehicle and stole her wallet. 3300 block of Buchanan Street : Traffic – 8:05pm. Officers stopped a 2002 Dodge caravan for a traffic violation. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle’s tags were suspended and there was an MVA pick order for the tags. The driver did not have a license and he was issued four traffic citations and released at the scene. The vehicle was impounded for safekeeping and the tags were seized for return to MVA. June 22 nd : 3800 block of 32nd Street : Theft – 8:30am

June 16 th : 2900 block of Arundel Road : Traffic – 10:45pm. Officers stopped a 2010 Kia Forte for a traffic violation. Further investigation revealed that the driver gave the officers a false name and did not possess a valid license. He was issues several traffic citations and his vehicle was impounded. June 15 th : 2200 block of Varnum Street : Lost property – 9:10am. Officers took a report from a man who said that he lost his bank debit card. He told officers that he last used the card at a retail store in the City back in May. 3100 block of Perry Street : Theft from auto – 11am. The owner of a 2003 Honda Accord told officers that her vehicle was left unsecured the previous night and someone entered the vehicle and stole a University of Maryland parking pass. There was no damage to the vehicle. 3300 block of Otis Street : Attempt theft from auto – 11:10am. The owner of a 2003 Ford Taurus told officers that he parked and secured his vehicle the night prior and this morning discove

June 9 th : 4000 block of 37 th Street : Residential burglary – 10:15am. Officers met with the home owner who said that the residence was recently vacated by a former tenant and that no one should be inside. The officers learned that the rear door glass had been broken out and someone had entered the house. With the assistance of officers from the Hyattsville City Police the house was searched and found to be vacant, however officers did locate two bags containing personal items. Officers were approached by a witness who pointed out a man who was walking down the street and said that it was he who had been inside the residence. The man was detained and the officers learned that the bags found in the house belonged to him. He was arrested, charged with burglary and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville. 3400 block of Rhode Island Avenue : Criminal citation – 7:35pm. Officers issued a man a criminal citation for disorderly conduct. June 8 th : 4000 block of Cedar Lane : Stron

What happens when you mix water, tin foil and Drano in a plastic drink bottle? Bad things! In at least one township in Michigan, police have found that kids are putting Drano, tin foil, and a little water in plastic drink bottles, capping it up, and leaving them on lawns, in mail boxes, in gardens, on driveways etc. When an unsuspecting person retrieves the bottle to put it in the trash or recycle bin, and shakes it even just a little, in about 30 seconds or less it builds up enough gas to explode with enough force to remove some of your extremities. The liquid that comes out is boiling hot as well and can cause 2nd and 3rd degree chemical burns. If you discover a plastic bottle on your property that looks like it contains any suspicious liquid or shows signs of swelling or melting, do not disturb it and call police immediately. You can learn more about the dangers of these bottle bombs and see videos of their destructive power by clicking on the following link: http://www.snop

June 2 nd : Rhode Island Ave and 34 th Street : Hit and run collision – 7:10am. The driver of a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer told officers that he was driving north on Rhode Island Avenue and as he entered the traffic circle a second vehicle struck his right rear fender. The striking vehicle continued around the circle and fled into DC. 3300 block of Perry Street : Criminal citation – 9:40am. Officers issued a man a criminal citation for drinking in public. 2200 block of Varnum Street : Warrant arrest – 12:45pm. Officers stopped a man who fit the description of a man wanted on an open theft warrant. Further investigation revealed that the man was not the person for whom they were looking, however he did have an open arrest warrant through Prince George’s County for failing to appear in court on an unrelated theft charge. He was arrested on the warrant and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville. 2200 block of Varnum Street : Warrant arrest – 2:10pm. Officers stopped a man who fit