Retired MRPD Chief's Discussion

Friday October 9th : 3400 block of Rhode Island Avenue : At about 5 p.m. power shift officers stopped a vehicle when they saw that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt. When the officers approached the vehicle they smelled an odor of marijuana. Further investigation revealed that the passenger of the vehicle was in possession of marijuana. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the DOC in Hyattsville without incident. The driver was sited for the seatbelt violation and sent on his way. One Municipal Place : At about 6:55 p.m. officers on patrol observed and individual urinating in public. He was issued a criminal citation for the violation and sent on his way. Saturday October 10th : 2700 block of Allison Street : At about 8:45 p.m. officers responded for a loud verbal domestic. During their investigation they learned that the male half had an outstanding arrest warrant through Montgomery County Police for failing to appear in court. He was arrested on the warrant and deliver...

3200 block of Perry Street : At about 9 a.m. officers impounded a vehicle that had been marked previously for 48-hour towing 3300 block of Shepherd Street : At about 7:30 p.m. officers responded for the report of an individual trespassing on private property. The officers located a man who had been previously warned not to return to the property earlier in the evening. He was arrested, charged appropriately and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

New resources are now available on the federal government’s one-stop resource for flu information -- www.flu.gov. The Web site now features a new H1N1 Flu Self-Evaluation guide for adults 18 and older along with a new Flu Myths and Facts section, which provides the public with the latest and most accurate information about the flu. The new Flu Myths and Facts section debunks some of the myths about the H1N1 virus and vaccine, and provides accurate information on vaccinations, the flu, and public health. The H1N1 Flu Self-Evaluation guide will give individuals 18 and older more information about what they can do to take care of themselves, prevent the spread of the flu to other members of their families, and identify the warning signs of more serious flu symptoms -- symptoms that require the attention of a medical professional.

This morning about 10 a.m. Captain Stoots and I took care of the graffiti that was on the upper wall of the old pawn shop building. The whole business took about half an hour and maybe ¾ of a gallon of paint; and, of course a tall ladder supplied by the Mount Rainier Fire Department.

3300 block of Shepherd Street : At about 5 p.m. officers responded for an attempt suicide. The officers discovered that a man attempted to commit suicide by cutting himself on the right forearm with a razor knife. Fire/rescue personnel responded to treat his injuries and transported him to Prince George’s Hospital Center for further treatment. Officers filed an emergency psychiatric petition and he was released to hospital staff for psychiatric evaluation. 4700 block of 25th Street : At about 11:50 p.m. officers took a report of a missing 16 year old female. The juvenile’s mother told the officers that she last saw her daughter this morning when she left for school. The mother was able to contact one of the juvenile’s friends who told her that she was seen around 8 p.m. with two other teens supposedly going to a party. The juvenile has one prior incident of running away and returned on her own. Her information was entered into the NCIC missing persons database.

2300 block of Varnum Street : At about 12:15 p.m. officers took a vandalism to auto report. The victim told the officers that, when she arrived at work, she noticed her rental vehicle had a broken driver’s side window. The officers found no evidence as to who may have been responsible for the damage. 4700 block of 31st Place : At about 9 a.m. officers took a property damage report. The owner of a 1997 Acura with Maryland tags told the officers he noticed that the driver’s side doors were scratched and dented. The cause of the damage was undetermined.

The following news article appeared on Denver Colorado’s 9news.com web site last night. I reviewed the video, which is about eight minutes long, and found it to contain some very good information that is just as relevant to residents of Mount Rainier as it is in Colorado and across the country. I recommend it highly. The video tells individuals that if they observe any of the eight signs of terrorism they should call the Colorado Information Analysis Center at their toll free number. That will not work here in Maryland . Residents should replace the CAIC number with that of the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center (MCAC): 1-800-492-TIPS (8477) . You can view the video by clicking on the following web link: http://thecell.org/wp/8-signs-of-terrorism-video/ Video Teaches Public to Spot Terror Plots Written by: Jeffrey Wolf Deborah Sherman 9News.com (Colorado) A new video released Monday teaches Coloradans how to recognize eight signs of terrorism, including suspects testing securi...

Chillum Road at Queenstown Drive : At about 8 p.m. officers initiated a traffic stop on a white Chevy van. When they approached the van to speak with the driver they smelled the odor of marijuana coming inside. A consent search of the vehicle turned up a sandwich baggie containing 17.9 grams of marijuana. Further inquiries revealed that the driver had a suspended license. He was arrested, charged with CDS possession and driving on a suspended license. He was delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville. 2300 block of Varnum Street : At about 10:10 p.m. officers stopped two men for consuming alcoholic beverages in a public place. Further inquiries revealed that one of the men had an open arrest warrant through the U.S. Marshal’s Service for violation of probation. Both men were issued criminal citations for the alcohol violation. The wanted subject was arrested and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

Friday October 2nd : 3800 block of 33rd Street : At about 7:30 a.m. officers took a stolen auto report. The victim/owner told the officers that she parked her vehicle outside her residence the previous evening and when she returned for it she discovered it had been stolen. On Sunday October 4th at about 3:15 a.m. officers were notified by Takoma Park PD that they had recovered the vehicle. It was impounded for safekeeping and the owner was notified of the recovery. 4600 block of 30th Street : At about 8:45 a.m. officers took a report of an attempt stolen auto. The victim/owner showed the officers where person(s) unknown had damaged the drivers’ side door lock and ignition. A check of the area failed to locate any evidence or witnesses to the crime. 3200 block of Queenstown Drive : At about 11:45 p.m. officers on patrol observed an individual slumped over behind the wheel of a parked vehicle. The vehicle had its lights on, the radio playing, and the keys in the ignition. When the office...

Cedar Lane Alley behind the old firehouse : At about 11:30 p.m. officers on patrol stopped a man for a field interview. During the interview they learned that he had an open arrest warrant through the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office for failing to appear in court on a CDS possession charge. He was arrested on the warrant and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

Tuesday September 29th : 2700 block of Allison Street : At about 2:45 p.m. officers took a stolen auto report. The victim/owner told the officers that she left her vehicle parked by her residence when she went out of town on September 26th. When she returned she discovered that it had been stolen. There was no record of impound or repossession and a check of the area for evidence and witnesses was negative. 3100 block of Webster Street : At about 4:15 p.m. officers took a report of fraud. Investigation revealed that an unknown individual fraudulently obtained the victim’s personal tax return information, filed an amended return and received funds from the State of Maryland. The victim’s tax preparers and the State Comptroller’s office are handling a follow-up investigation. 4700 block of 31st Place : At about 10:45 p.m. officers responded to a verbal domestic dispute. When the officers arrived they discovered that the male half of the argument had had two open arrest warrants through P...

September 28th : 4100 block of 34th Street : At about 2:45 p.m. officers took an injured person report. The victim told the officers that a PEPCO lamp post cover fell off a pole and struck him on the right side of his neck. The victim refused medical treatment and PEPCO was notified to repair the lamp post. 4300 block of Eastern Avenue : At about 2:30 p.m. officers took a suspicious incident report. The complainant told the officers that she came out to her vehicle and found the driver’s side rear tire low on air – not flat just low on air. She said that this has happened before and did not know who, if anyone could be responsible. There was no evidence of foul play and she was advised to have the tire checked at a service station. 4300 block of Eastern Avenue : At about 7:30 p.m. officers took a report of a vandalism. The victim told the officers that he heard a loud noise/bang to the rear of his apartment. At first he suspected that the noise was a gunshot but when he went to investi...

Friday September 25th : 4100 block of Russell Avenue : At about 8:30 a.m. officers took a report of a stolen auto. The victim/owner told the officers that she parked her vehicle outside her residence the night before and when she returned for it this morning she discovered that it had been stolen. The vehicle had not been impounded or repossessed. There was no evidence or witnesses to the crime. 4200 block of Russell Avenue : At about 11 a.m. officers took a report of a vandalism to auto. The victim/owner told the officers that she parked her vehicle by her residence at about 2 a.m. and when she returned for it this morning she discovered that someone had damaged the door lock and ignition. A canvass of the area for evidence and/or witnesses provided negative. Saturday September 26th : Nothing significant to report. Sunday September 27th : Nothing significant to report.

September 24th : 2300 block of Varnum Street (7-11) : At about 10:45 a.m. officers responded for the report of a theft. The store clerk told the officers that a man came into the store, helped himself to a fountain drink and left without paying for it. The clerk was able to provide a good description of the man and the officers located him in the 4300 block of 28th Place. During questioning the man admitted to the theft and was also found to have two open arrest warrants through Montgomery County for failing to appear in court on separate theft charges. He was arrested on the warrants and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville. 3200 block of Queens Chapel Road : At about 2:45 p.m. officers took a report of a two car motor vehicle collision. Their investigation revealed that the driver of the striking vehicle failed to control his speed and struck a second vehicle in the rear. The driver of the struck vehicle was taken to Prince George’s Hospital for a check-up for neck and back...

September 23rd : Nothing significant to report. September 24th (early morning) : 4200 block of 28th Street : At about 1:30 a.m. took a report of a motor vehicle collision. When the officers arrived they discovered that four parked cars had been struck by a 2002 Jeep Liberty with DC tags. The officers were able to locate a witness who told them that two young black males wearing all black clothing got out of the Jeep after the collision and fled the area on foot – one towards Upshur Street, the other towards Eastern Avenue. Further investigation revealed that the Jeep’s ignition was damaged and that the vehicle was possibly stolen, however it had not been reported as stolen at the time of the collision. Attempts to contact the Jeep’s registered owner were negative. It was impounded for safekeeping and further investigation. One of the struck vehicles was also impounded due to the severity of damage.

3700 block of 37th Street : At about 10 pm officers impounded a silver 1999 Honda Accord. It was suspected that the driver was under the influence of PCP but their investigation revealed no probable cause for arrest. The Honda was towed for safekeeping.

2500 block of Arundel Road : At about 8:30 a.m. officers responded along with fire/rescue personnel for the report of a 40 year old female found unresponsive in her apartment. Fire/rescue personnel attempted unsuccessfully to revive the woman and she was pronounced dead at 8:40 a.m. The state medical examiner’s office was notified and responded to the scene to take over the investigation. There were no signs of trauma and foul play is not suspected. 3200 block of Chillum Road : At about 8:15 p.m. officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. Further investigation revealed that a passenger in the vehicle had an open arrest warrant through the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office for failure to appear in court on a traffic charge. She was arrested on the warrant and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville.

September 18th : 4100 block of 33rd Street : At about 12:05 a.m. officers responded for the report of a fire inside a private home. The officers spoke with the homeowner who told them that she had been working inside her home when she smelled smoke. When she went to investigate she noticed a lamp flickering on and off and a couch on fire. She unsuccessfully tried to put out the fire and it soon grew out of control and spread throughout the house. Fire/rescue personnel responded to extinguish the blaze. The homeowner was transported to MedStar where she was treated for minor burns. Fire investigators ruled that the source of the fire was electrical and started accidentally. Damage to the home was estimated at about $30,000. 2400 block of Chillum Road : At about 3 a.m. officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. Further investigation revealed that the driver was under the influence of alcohol and did not have a valid driver’s license. He was issued several state traffic citations...

September 14th : 31st and Shepherd Streets : At about 6:20 p.m. power shift officers were on Segway patrol when they observed a parked vehicle with the motor running and its driver passed out behind the wheel. The officers also observed that the driver had a bag of cocaine in one hand and drug paraphernalia in the other hand. The driver was arrested and charged with several CDS related crimes and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville. His vehicle was impounded for safekeeping. 3700 block of Eastern Avenue : At about 1:45 p.m. officers responded for a drug complaint. When they arrived they saw a black male standing on the front porch. The officers questioned the man and during questioning they learned that he had an open arrest warrant through the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office. He was arrested on the warrant and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville. 3200 block of Chillum Road : At about 5:15 p.m. officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. A check of...

September 11th : Nothing significant to report. September 12th : 3200 block of Upshur Street: At about 4 p.m. officers took a report of a residential burglary. The victim told the officers that sometime between September 10th and September 12th someone entered her home and stole jewelry of assorted types. No point of entry was located. September 13th: 2700 block of Arundel Road : At about 2 a.m. officers stopped an individual for a field interview. During the interview the officers discovered that the individual had an open arrest warrant obtained by MRPD for first degree burglary. He was arrested on the warrant and delivered to the custody of DOC in Hyattsville. 2700 block of Arundel Road : At about 2:05 a.m. officers responded for the report of a citizen armed robbery. The victim told the officers that he was approached by three black males one of whom produced a silver knife and cut him across the chest. They then proceeded to rob him of his wallet and cell phone. He then fled the a...