Police Report: July 17-23

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.

July 23^rd:

2400 block of Queens Chapel Road: Traffic – 4:55am. Officers patrolling the area observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation. The officers were able to catch up to the vehicle and effect a traffic stop on Queens Chapel Road at Eastern Avenue. Before the officers were able to get the vehicle’s tag number the vehicle suddenly took off at a high rate of speed into DC. The officers followed to try and get a good tag number and saw the driver throw a handgun out of the window. A few seconds later the driver failed to execute a bend in the road and crashed into a tree. MRPD and MPD officers extricated the driver from the vehicle and performed CPR on him until EMS arrived. He was taken to a local hospital where he died from injuries sustained in the crash. MPD officers recovered the handgun and learned that it had been reported stolen from an address in Anderson County, South Carolina back in 2015.

3100 block of Buchanan Street: Vehicle impound – 11:55am. Officers impounded a 2006 Mitsubishi Gallant that was displaying tags that expired in December of 2015.

One Municipal Place: Criminal citation – 4:55pm. Officers issued a man a criminal citation for drinking in public.

3400 block of Eastern Avenue: Warrant service – 4:50pm. Officers responded after receiving information that a woman had an open arrest warrant. The officers located her and confirmed that she had an open warrant through Prince George’s County for 2^nd degree assault. She was arrested and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

3800 block of 34^th Street: Non-contact shooting – 9pm. An Uber driver told officers that he just dropped off four juveniles at a party going on at 3804 34^th Street. He turned his vehicle around in an adjacent parking lot and as he made a right turn to go back to Rhode Island Avenue he heard a loud bang and his driver window shattered. Upon further investigation the officers located an unoccupied parked vehicle at the entrance to the parking lot that also had bullet holes in it. It is believed that someone drove by the large crowd of juveniles congregating for the party and fired a single shot from a 12 gauge shotgun initially striking the parked vehicle. A stray round of buck shot struck the “A” pillar of the Uber driver’s vehicle causing the windshield to shatter. No suspects were identified and no one was injured. PGPD detectives responded to assist with the investigation. The party at 3804 34^th Street was also shut down to permitting and safety issues. A follow-up investigation will also be conducted to determine if the business at 3804 was holding the party in violation of fire regulations (capacity) and in violation of the use and occupancy permit.

July 22^nd:

2700 block of Webster Street: Vehicle impound – 3:50pm. Officers impounded a 2014 Mitsubishi for displaying a fake temporary registration tag.

July 21^st:

3200 block of Varnum Street: Criminal citation – 7:45am. Officers issued a man a criminal citation for possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

One Municipal Place: Criminal citation – 10:20am. Officers issued a man a criminal citation for drinking in public.

3300 block of Perry Street: Criminal citation – 10:30pm. Officers issued a man a criminal citation for drinking in public.

July 20^th:

3500 block of Bunker Hill Road: Warrant service – 10:40am. Officers responded for the report of a suspicious person. They located the man described by witnesses and a further investigation revealed that he had an open arrest warrant through the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office for failing to appear in court on a 4^th degree burglary charge. He was arrested on the warrant and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

3400 block of Newton Street: EPS – 6:50pm. Officers responded for the report of a man lying on the sidewalk. When they arrived they found the man described by witnesses and immediately recognized that he was under the influence of PCP. He was transported to Washington Adventist Hospital and released to the medical staff for emergency treatment.

July 19^th:

3500 block of Rhode Island Avenue: Traffic – 3:25am. Officers stopped a 1996 Honda Civic for failing to display a front tag. Further investigation revealed that the rear tag had been reported stolen from an address in Anne Arundel County on July 16^th and the vehicle itself was unregistered. The driver was charged with possession of the stolen tags and other crimes and the vehicle was impounded.

July 18^th:

4000 block of 35^th Street: Theft – 9:45am. A man came into the police station and reported his Mossberg 500 shotgun stolen. He told officers that he last saw the gun in his residence on July 12^th and realized that it was missing on the 17^th. He was unaware of how or when the shotgun got stolen. Officers went with the victim to his home and checked for any signs of forced entry and found no evidence that was consistent with a breaking and entering. The victim said that no other items were missing and he had no further information.

4200 block of Kaywood Drive: Vehicle impound – 2:30pm. Officers impounded a 1999 Lincoln that was unregistered and had no tags attached.

4200 block of Kaywood Drive: Vehicle impound – 2:45pm. Officers impounded a 1993 Nissan 300ZX that was displaying tags that expired back in April of this year. The vehicle had been previously marked for 24-hour towing.

3800 block of 34^th Street: Criminal citation – 3:35pm. Officers issued a man a criminal citation for drinking in public.

July 17^th:

3400 block of Rhode Island Avenue: Criminal citation – 9:40pm. Officers issued a man a criminal citation for drinking in public.

3300 block of Buchanan Street: Domestic assault – 12:05pm. The victim told officers that she was awakened by her boyfriend who began arguing with her over money issues. The argument turned physical and the victim sustained scratches and bruises on both arms. The boyfriend, still on the scene, was arrested, charged with domestic assault and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville. A domestic violence lethality screening was completed and the victim screened positive for assistance. She spoke with a DV counselor according to protocol and was advised of her options with a District Court Commissioner. 

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.

See or Hear Something?

Say Something!

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