Police Report: May 19-25

The Mount Rainier Police Department’s weekly report is not intended to be a listing of every incident or call for service handled by the police department, but merely a general summary of incidents that may be of interest to the community. Some reports may be outside the date parameters due to extended investigations or other circumstances. Some cases are not included at all due to ongoing investigations.

May 25^th:

4000 block of 36^th Street: 2^nd degree assault – 9:10pm. Officers responded for the report of a cutting. When they arrived they discovered one of four sisters who had a cut on her right thigh. Further investigation revealed that the sister who was cut got into a verbal disagreement with another female that turned physical. Her three sisters came out to help her in the altercation, one of whom brought a pair of scissors. The officers also located a folding knife at the scene that may have been used by one of the participants to cause the injured sister’s wound. PGPD detectives responded to the scene to interview all participants and assume a follow-up investigation. The detectives determined that the whole mêlée constituted a mutual combat situation and charges against any one are unlikely. The injured woman was taken to Med-Star for treatment of her non- life threatening injury.

May 24^th:

4000 block of 33rd Street: Theft from auto – 6:55am. The victim told officers that he came out to his vehicle this morning and discovered that sometime overnight someone broke into his vehicle through a passenger window and stole a GPS unit and a change purse from inside.

3100 block of Bunker Hill Road: Theft from auto – 9:20am. The victim told officers that he came out to his vehicle this morning and discovered that a driver side window had been broken out and a GPS unit had been stolen from inside.

3300 block of Buchanan Street: Recovered stolen auto – 11:50am. Officers responded for the report of a suspicious vehicle. When they arrived they discovered an abandoned 1999 Dodge Caravan that was running and had ignition damage. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had been reported to the Montgomery County Police on May 16^th. The vehicle was impounded for safekeeping and both the owner and MCP were notified of the recovery.

4600 block of 29th Street: Stolen vehicle – 12:15pm. The owner of a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville told officers that sometime between 10pm on May 23rd and the time she called police someone stole her vehicle.

2200 block of Varnum Street: Criminal citation – 5:50pm. Officers responded for the report of a shoplifting from the Family Dollar store. Further investigation led the officers to interview a man who admitted to stealing a knife from the store. He was taken back to the store and positively identified by store employees as the one who stole the merchandise. He was issued a criminal citation for misdemeanor theft and sent on his way.

4100 block of 29^th Street: Theft – 6:20pm. The victim told officers that he had been gone from his residence from April 12^th until May 17^th. When he returned he discovered several items of his personal jewelry missing from a bathroom. He further stated that his house is for sale and over thirty real estate agents have been in the house during the time he was away.

May 23^rd:

4000 block of 29^th Street: Theft from auto – 8:20am. The owner of a 2001 Ford Expedition told officers that he came out to his vehicle this morning and discovered that a rear passenger window had been broken out and a laptop computer had been stolen from inside.

3300 block of Buchanan Street: Stolen auto – 9:30pm. The owner of a 1996 Plymouth Voyager van told officers that sometime between mid morning and the time he called police someone stole his van.

2300 block of Varnum Street (7-11): Theft – 9:55pm. The store clerk told officers that a black male with dreadlock style hair came into the store, stole mouthwash products and fled on foot.

May 22^nd:

3200 block of Queenstown Drive: Death report – 9:35am. Officers responded to check the welfare of the resident. When they arrived they were able to gain access into the apartment with assistance from building maintenance personnel. Once inside they discovered a deceased 57 year old female.  There were no signs of foul play and the preliminary assessment from the State Medical Examiner was that the woman died of natural causes related to an existing medical condition.

2400 block of Chillum Road: Motor vehicle collision – 5:50pm. Officers responded for the report of a M/V collision without injury. Officers determined that a vehicle operated by an unlicensed driver failed to yield the right of way while making a left hand turn, struck a second vehicle and became disabled. The unlicensed driver was issued multiple state citations and the disabled vehicle was impounded.

May 21^st:

3400 block of Rhode Island Avenue: Criminal citation (x2) – 2:45pm. Officers issued each of two men a criminal citation for drinking an alcoholic beverage in a public place.

May 20^th:

3200 block of Otis Street: Arson (supplement) – 2:40pm. The owner of a 1997 Nissan Maxima came into the police station to report that her vehicle sustained damage as the result of the burned stolen vehicle that occurred the morning of the 19^th. The vehicle sustained burn damage to the front passenger side, front bumper and melted plastic. The vehicle is drivable.

One Municipal Place: Criminal citation – 8:20am. Officers issued a man a criminal citation for urinating in a public place.

3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue: Vehicle impound – 1:35pm. Officers on foot patrol located a 1996 Toyota Avalon parked at an expired meter. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had expired tags and was parked in the police business only space. The vehicle was issued two parking citations and impounded.

May 19^th:

3700 block of 35^th Street: 2^nd degree assault – 12:35am. Officers responded to investigate a 911 hang-up. When they arrived they found the door to the apartment open and the sound of a struggle coming from inside. When they went in they saw a man choking a woman. They freed the woman and placed the man under arrest. He was charged with 2^nd degree assault and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

3200 block of Otis Street (Alley 3): Arson/recovered stolen vehicle – 2:20am. Officers responded for the report of a vehicle fire and discovered a 2001 Toyota Sequoia fully engulfed in flames. Fire/rescue services responded and extinguished the blaze. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had been stolen from an address in Cottage City a couple of hours earlier. Those responsible drove the vehicle to Alley 3 where they put it up on blocks, stole all four wheels and tires and set it on fire. The vehicle’s owner was notified and said that he was not aware that his vehicle had been stolen.

3400 block of Newton Street: Stolen vehicle – 11:45am. The owner of a 2000 Saturn told officers that sometime between 8pm on the 18^th and 10am this morning someone stole his vehicle.

2200 block of Varnum Street: Motor vehicle collision (pedestrian struck) – 8:55pm. Officers responded for the report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. When the officers arrived they found a man lying in the street suffering from a head wound. Further investigation revealed that the man, who was intoxicated, was struck as he ran out in front of the vehicle in an attempt to cross the street. The man was transported to Med Star where he received medical treatment for non life threatening injuries. No charges were filed against the driver of the striking vehicle.

Citizens are reminded to PLEASE call and report suspicious activity. Even if you choose not to provide your name or other personal information, we still need your help as extra eyes and ears in the community.

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We WANT to be bothered! Call 301-985-6565/6566.