Police Report: April 13-19

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.

April 19^th:

2200 block of Varnum Street: Vandalism to auto – 12:10am. The owner of a 2008 Toyota Camry told officers that he parked his vehicle in the gravel lot across from Kay Liquors at about 1:30pm on the 18^th. When he returned to his vehicle this morning he discovered that someone had thrown a rock through the driver’s side window.

4500 block of 30^th Street: Vehicle impound – 7am. Officers impounded a 2006 Toyota Rav4 that was parked, unoccupied and obstructing traffic. The vehicle had not been reported stolen and the owner could not be contacted.

4500 block of 30^th Street: Vehicle impound – 7:15am. Officers patrolling with an automatic license plate reader were alerted to a 2006 Kia that had suspended registration plates and an MSP pick up order for the tags. The tags were seized for return to MVA and the vehicle was impounded.

2900 block of Bunker Hill Road: Theft from auto – 10:35am.The owner of a 2001 Chevy truck told officers that he parked and secured his vehicle at about midnight this morning. When he came back he discovered that the passenger side window was smashed out and a pair of Nike tennis shoes and a stereo was missing.

3100 block of Bunker Hill Road: Hit and run collision – 6:20pm. The owner of a 2008 Lexus told officers that sometime between within the past hour a second unidentified vehicle backed into her Lexus causing minor front end damage.

April 18^th:

3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue (Oasis Food Mart): Commercial burglary – 3:50pm. Officers responded for a burglar alarm and when they arrived they discovered the front door open. Officers immediately checked the business and found no one inside. Upon further investigation they discovered that the front door had been forced open, possibly by a tire iron the thieves left behind. They also discovered that the store’s ATM machine had been stolen. PGPD detectives responded to assume a follow-up investigation and a forensics team also responded to process the scene and recover evidence.

4300 block of Russell Avenue: Recovered stolen auto – 7:30am. MRPD officers were notified that DC police recovered a 2002 Dodge Ram truck originally stolen from the 4300 block of Russell Avenue on April 13^th. The vehicle was drivable, both tags were still attached and no arrests were made.

3300 block of Chauncey Place: 2^nd degree assault – 10am. Officers responded for the report of a domestic dispute. When they arrived they learned that a man and woman were involved in a verbal argument over money. The argument turned physical and the male half choked the female half. The male arrested, charged with 2^nd degree domestic assault and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

3500 block of Perry Street: 2^nd degree assault – 12:30pm. Officers responded for the report of a possible road rage incident between the drivers of two vehicles. When the officers arrived in the area they located and stopped the vehicles/drivers involved. Further investigation revealed that one of the drivers did not like the manner in which the other driver executed a turn. He got out of his vehicle, spit on the victim’s vehicle and used his fist to break one of the vehicle’s windows. He was arrested, charged with 2^nd degree assault and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

April 17^th:

3400 block of 34^th Street: Criminal citation – 8:50am. Officers issued a man a criminal citation for possession of a marijuana cigarette.

37^th Street and eastern Avenue: Recovered stolen auto – 1:45pm. Officers responded for the report of an abandoned auto. When they arrived they discovered a 1991 Nissan 300 abandoned in the roadway. The vehicle was running but there were no keys in the ignition. It was also missing the front console and steering column. Further investigation revealed that the car was reported stolen to DC police on April 15^th at about 4:45am. MPD was notified as was the vehicle’s owner. The vehicle was impounded for safekeeping.

4500 block of 29^th Street: Vandalism to auto – 8:30pm. The owner of a 2007 Lincoln told officers that she parked her vehicle in front of her residence at about 7:45pm. When she returned about 40 minutes later she discovered two dents in the front passenger quarter panel. Officers were unable to determine if the damage was caused by a hit and run vehicle or by other means.

3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue: Criminal citation – 10pm. Officers issued a man a criminal citation for urinating in public.

April 16^th:

3800 block of 34^th Street: CDS arrest -12:10am. Officers responded for the report of an intoxicated man refusing to leave the Alife Store. When the officers arrived they located the man who had temporarily left the store and was trying to get back in. Further investigation revealed that the man had tried to steal an item from the store and was ordered out by the owner. Before leaving he kicked the owner several times. Officers were forced to struggle with the man in order to get him under control and under arrest. A search incident to arrest revealed that he was in possession of a glass bottle containing liquid PCP. He was charged with possession of CDS and other charges and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

4300 block of Russell Avenue: Missing/found children – 5:25pm. Officers were approached by a woman who informed them that her niece and nephew had gone missing from their mother’s apartment. Officers began an investigation and search for the children and learned that they may have gone to Magruder Park to visit some friends. While enroute to the park officers were informed that the two had returned home to their mother’s apartment. Officers verified that the children were safe and in good health and left further actions to their parent.

3100 block of Queens Chapel Road (Beauty Depot): Theft – 6:50pm. The store manager told officers that three black females came into the store, helped themselves to nine packages of hair color and left the store without paying for them. The women were last seen going towards the 3100 block of the Queen Town Apartments. A canvass of the area was conducted with negative results.

4300 block of Russell Avenue: Attempt motor vehicle theft – 10:25pm. The victim told officers that a black male suspect he described as having dreads tried to steal his 2002 Cadillac after he refused to take the man to Suitland. The suspect reportedly tried to hand on to the car as the victim tried to drive away. Witnesses told officers that the suspect hid in an apartment. When officers went to locate him he jumped out of a second floor window in his attempt to escape. Officers were forced to deploy a Taser to get the man under control and under arrest. He was charged with attempted vehicle theft and other crimes and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

April 15^th:

4100 block of 32^nd Street: Theft from auto – 3pm. The owner of a 2003 Ford F250 truck told officers that he was paid in cash for work he did at a private residence. He placed the cash in his truck while he continued his work. While on his way home from after he finished the job he discovered that the cash had been stolen.

April 14^th:

3300 block of Rhode Island Avenue: Warrant arrest – 8:30am. Officers stopped to check on a man found sleeping on the sidewalk. Further investigation revealed that the man had an open arrest warrant for escape through the DC Superior Court. He was arrested and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

4000 block of 31st Street: Traffic – 4pm. Officers patrolling with a mobile license plate reader were alerted to a 2001 VW Passat. Further investigation revealed that the tags were suspended with an MSP pick up order attached. The tags were seized for return to MVA and the vehicle’s owner was allowed to remove the vehicle to private property until she could obtain proper  tags from MVA.

4300 block of 28^th Place: Residential burglary – 7pm. Officers responded for the report of a burglary in progress. When they arrived they were met by maintenance personnel who said that they were alerted by another resident who found the apartment door open. Officers searched the apartment and found no one inside. The resident of the apartment came home and after taking inventory of his belongings reported that a flat screen TV and several pairs of shoes had been stolen.

4000 block of 35^th Street: Theft from auto – 8:15am. The owner of a 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse told officers that sometime between 9pm on the 13^th and the time she called police someone broke into her vehicle through the passenger side door. Once inside those responsible stole numerous items of the owner’s personal property. No evidence or witnesses were identified.

April 13^th:

2700 block of Webster Street: 2^nd degree domestic assault – 4:45pm. Officers responded for the report of a domestic dispute. When the officer arrived they were met by the male half of the dispute. He was extremely aggressive towards the officers and was screaming obscenities at the female victim. Officers repeatedly tried to get the man to calm down but he refused. He resisted arrest and after a brief struggle officers were able to get him under control and under arrest. Further investigation revealed that he had assaulted the victim by striking her in the face several times causing bruising and swelling. He was charged with 2^nd degree domestic assault, assaulting police and resisting arrest and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

3100 block of Queens Chapel Road: Criminal citation – 9:10pm. Officers issued a man a criminal citation for possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

4300 block of Russell Avenue: Stolen vehicle – 9:20pm. The owner of a 2002 Dodge Ram truck told officers that she parked and locked her vehicle in the parking lot of her apartment. When she returned for it this evening she discovered that it had been stolen. No evidence or witnesses were identified.

2700 block of Upshur Street: Hit and run collision – 11:35pm. Officers spoke with the owner of a 2005 Toyota Camry who showed the officers where a second, unidentified vehicle had struck her Toyota causing significant damage. The vehicle had to be towed due to the extent of damage it sustained in the collision. No evidence or witnesses were identified.

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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