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
April 11, 2009 (3:40 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Ronald A. Ricucci from the Takoma Park Police Department announces the arrests of Earl Morton, 18, of Washington, D.C., and a 16-year old juvenile, also of Washington, D.C., for Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Use of a Handgun in the Commission of a felony, 2nd Degree Assault and Theft Less than $500.00.
On April 10, 2009, at approximately 1:54 p.m., Takoma Park Police responded to the 6400 block of New Hampshire Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland, Joolee Cleaners, for reports of a commercial armed robbery which had just occurred. After arriving at the business, officers were informed that two subjects, one of whom was armed with a handgun, entered the establishment through the front door and announced the robbery. One of the subjects was wearing a black mask and black jacket. The two subjects inside the establishment took property from the business as well as the victims who were inside. A third subject entered the business through a rear door. The fourth subject was waiting outside in a vehicle, which was parked to the rear of the business. After taking property, all subjects fled to the vehicle that was outside. The vehicle, a 1995 Mercury Grand Marq, was reported stolen through Prince George’s County shortly before the robbery. The vehicle was entered into NCIC as a felony vehicle. None of the victims at Joolee Cleaners were injured.
At 9:21 p.m., Prince George’s County Police were on patrol when they observed the felony vehicle occupied by four subjects in the area of Mt. Ranier, Maryland. A vehicle stop was attempted at which time the occupants fled in the vehicle on Rhode Island Avenue headed into the District of Columbia. Once in the District, a D.C. Police Officer’s vehicle was struck by the suspect vehicle causing severe damage to the felony vehicle. The 16-year old driver suspect bailed out of the vehicle, dropping a black handgun, and attempted to flee on foot. He was quickly apprehended without further incident. A second suspect, Earl Morton, also attempted to flee on foot but was also quickly apprehended without further incident. Officers’ canvassed the area where they first saw Morton and discovered one black mask and one black jacket. The other two subjects remain at large.
Detectives from Takoma Park Police responded to the scene in Washington, D.C. and impounded the felony vehicle for processing. In coordination with Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and the District of Columbia, Earl Morton and the 16-year old juvenile, are believed to be a part of multiple armed robberies that have recently been committed in the surrounding jurisdictions.
On April 11, 2009, while Earl Morton and the 16-year old juvenile were arrested on charges in the District of Columbia, Detectives of Takoma Park Police successfully obtained warrants charging both individuals with the above-listed offenses.
Earl Morton is being held at the District of Columbia Central Processing Unit and the 16-year old juvenile is being held at the District of Columbia Juvenile Processing Center.
Chief Ricucci would like to thank the Takoma Park officers who were able to ascertain quality look-out information that was immediately broadcasted to the surrounding jurisdictions. Officers brought an interpreter to the scene and interviewed day laborers who were across the street from Joolee Cleaners. It was through one of the day labor witnesses that officers were able to obtain the tag number of the felony vehicle. Chief Ricucci is very proud of the keen eye and willingness of the citizens to assist. He would also like to thank Prince George’s County Police and District of Columbia Police for their assistance in taking two dangerous subjects off the streets.
Posted by Plevy at April 14, 2009 10:31 AM