NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
• 7500 Maple Avenue • Takoma Park, Md 20912
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer (PIO)
Catherine Plevy, 301/891.7142 or 240/338.2901
July 29, 2008 (12:15 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Ronald A. Ricucci from the Takoma Park Police Department announces that the City of Takoma Park Police Department assisted in the arrest of two men who fled into the City trying to escape the Metropolitan Police Department from the District of Columbia. The subjects are identified as Joseph Alexander Smith, 19, of Washington, D.C., and Melvin Joseph Taylor, 18, also of Washington, D.C. Both subjects were identified as being responsible for the July 26 Takoma Park shotgun robbery on Maple Avenue, as well as multiple armed robberies in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and the District of Columbia. The shotgun that was used in the Takoma Park armed robbery was recovered.
On July 29, 2008, at approximately 6:45 p.m., the City of Takoma Park’s Police Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) were conducting a robbery abatement detail when they were alerted to a robbery that had just occurred in the District of Columbia within close proximity to the Takoma Park City limits. TEU set up and maintained surveillance along the Takoma Park and District of Columbia border.
At approximately 6:52 p.m., an officer in TEU observed a gold Mercury Marquis traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Eastern Avenue, which was being pursued by multiple units from the Metropolitan Police Department. The subjects made a turn north on to Willow Avenue. The pursuit continued north on Piney Branch Road to Dale Drive when the vehicle side-swiped a tree and came to a rest, which resulted in a bail out by the subjects who tried to flee on foot. A foot pursuit began by various officers of the Metropolitan Police Department and the City of Takoma Park Police. The two subjects were apprehended in the 8400 block of Hartford Road.
Joseph Alexander Smith was arrested and charged with (1) possession of a concealed deadly weapon; (2) possession of a firearm after conviction of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) felony; (3) regulated firearm possession with felony conviction; (4) possession of a regulated firearm under 21 years of age; (5) unauthorized taking of property; and (6) theft over $500.
Melvin Joseph Taylor was arrested and charged with (1) possession of a concealed deadly weapon; (2) regulated firearm possession with felony conviction; (3) possession of a regulated firearm under 21 years of age; (4) unauthorized taking of property; and (5) theft over $500.
Additional charges may follow from Montgomery County, Prince George's County and the District of Columbia.
Both subjects were transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit for an appearance before a District Court Commissioner. A detainer was also filed on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Department in the District of Columbia pending their application for warrants.
Chief Ronald A. Ricucci praises the working relationship of the multi-jurisdictions and says it is another example of various agencies working together to better serve the community. Chief Ricucci is proud of the Takoma Park dispatchers, TEU officers, Criminal Investigations Division (CID) detectives and patrol officers for their outstanding follow through and determination to bring closure to this incident.
Posted by Plevy at July 29, 2008 12:14 PM