NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
• 7500 Maple Avenue • Takoma Park, Md 20912
For more information contact:
Chief Ronald A. Ricucci, 301/891.7104
Catherine Plevy, 301/891.7142 or 240/338.2901
February 9, 2008 (1:40 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Ronald A. Ricucci from the Takoma Park Police Department announces the arrest of Wright Koonce, 48, of Takoma Park, Maryland, and Pedro Mazariego, 22, of no fixed address.
On February 7th, at approximately 9:38 p.m., units responded to the 900 block of Merrimac Drive for reports of a shooting. Two adult males were shoplifting from a business and attempting to flee the location in a stolen vehicle. Koonce had been inside the business and then exited and waited outside in his vehicle. As the two subjects exited the business, they jumped into a vehicle that had been running with the doors open and tried to flee. The driver, later identified as Mazariego, was blocked by Koonce’s vehicle. Koonce began shooting at Mazariego and another subject. Mazariego fled the scene in the stolen vehicle, which was later located in the 1500 block of University Boulevard. Koonce also fled the scene before police arrival. Shortly after, Mazariego requested medical attention for a single gunshot wound to his lower leg. Mazariego was transported to Prince George’s Hospital Center where he was treated. Through investigation, the Takoma Park Police worked with the business owner to isolate the video surveillance at the location. That video surveillance captured the tag number of the stolen vehicle as well as that of Koonce's vehicle. That information led officers to Koonce’s residence in the 7700 block of Maple Avenue where his van was impounded and he was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.
The stolen vehicle was seized by police and transported for evidence. The weapon was also recovered at Koonce's residence.
Mazariego was released from the hospital and transported to the Takoma Park Police Department for interview and later transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.
Mazariego was charged with Unauthorized Removal of Property, Motor Vehicle Theft, Theft over $500 and Theft under $500. Koonce was charged with First Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment and Possession of a handgun by a prohibited person.
Chief Ricucci once again commends the business owner for the surveillance cameras used to assist in this investigation. This results in another successful partnership between business owners and the police department.
Posted by Cathy at February 9, 2008 01:40 PM