NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
• 7500 Maple Avenue • Takoma Park, Md 20912
For more information contact:
Det. Corporal Andrew M. John, Tactical Enforcement Unit
301/891-7148 E-mail:andrewj@takomagov.org
July 28, 2007 (3:00PM)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ROBBERY ARREST
Press Release
Chief Ronald A. Ricucci from the Takoma Park Police Department announced the arrest of a seventeen year old male from Oxon Hill, Prince George’s County, Maryland. The juvenile was arrested for a strong arm robbery, which occurred on Friday, July 27, 2007, at approximately 1130 pm, in the 7200 block of Maple Avenue Takoma Park, MD.
A Takoma Park resident was walking home from the Takoma Park Metro Station, when she was robbed by two males. The adult female had just passed the two suspects when they quickly turned around and began following her. She turned and observed the males walking behind her, when they pushed her in the back, in an effort to knock her to the ground. The other male then snatched her purse. The female struggled with the males, which drew the attention of a nearby Takoma Park undercover police officer. The Investigator was working a robbery suppression detail in the area along with other Investigators from the Takoma Park Police, Tactical Enforcement Unit. Recently there has been a spike in street robberies, which prompted the agency to strategically deploy plain clothes officers in the area near and around the Takoma Park Metro Station.
The officer observed the female struggling with the males and quickly took action. The males snatched the purse from the female and attempted to flee from the area on foot, to avoid being apprehended. The officer pursued the suspects until backup units could arrive and assist. One of the suspects was apprehended after a short foot chase in the 7200 block of Maple Avenue.
The suspect was positively identified by the victim and witness. Her purse was located by a female citizen who was in the vicinity and came to render some assistance to the victim.
The suspect was subsequently transported to the Takoma Park Police Station, where he was interviewed and made some admissions to his involvement during the robbery. He was later transported to the Alfred E. Noyes Juvenile Detention Center in Rockville, Maryland, where he was detained. He was charged with strong arm robbery, second degree assault and theft.
Members from the Takoma Park Police Department Criminal Investigations Division executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in Prince George’s County.
Chief Ricucci and Lt. T. Collington praises the work of the Criminal Investigations Division, Tactical Enforcement Unit and the Patrol Officers who responded on the initial call. Many hours of hard work led to the arrest and closure of this case. The investigators will continue to coordinate and exchange information with Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, DC Metropolitan Police Department and the DC Metro Transit Police Departments to bring closure to other active robbery investigations which have occurred in the area. The investigation is ongoing to continue to identify other suspects who may be involved in these crimes.
D/Cpl. Andrew M. John
Takoma Park Police
Supervisor, Tactical Enforcement Unit
City of Takoma Park Police Department
• 7500 Maple Avenue • Takoma Park, Md 20912
For more information contact:
Chief Ronald A. Ricucci, 301/891.7104
A/Lt. Tyrone Collington, 301/891.7110
July 18, 2007 (2:00 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Ronald A. Ricucci from the Takoma Park Police Department announced the arrest of Quintin Tyrone Perry, Jr., an 18 year old male from Riverdale Park, Maryland, on July 17, 2007, on a warrant stemming from the July 13, 2007, Home Invasion Robbery/Sex Assault of a 59 year old Takoma Park woman in the 400 block of Lincoln Avenue. Officers from the Takoma Park Police Criminal Investigations Division and the Tactical Enforcement Unit have been pursuing leads since this event occurred. Officers on July 14, 2007, one day after the Home Invasion Robbery/Sex Assault, were conducting surveillance in the vicinity of where the incident occurred. Officers stopped the suspect, Perry, as he was coming from the rear of a residence and conducted a suspicious person investigation. Due to lack of probable cause, the suspect was released after photos and information were obtained. On July 17, 2007, the department received photos from three different locations where a debit card from the victim was used. The suspect in the photos was identified as Perry, who had been stopped by the Tactical Enforcement Unit on Saturday night, July 14, 2007. Warrants were obtained and the suspect was arrested without incident. The suspect was transported back to the Takoma Park Police Department where he was interviewed and made several incriminating statements. Simultaneously, Takoma Park Police executed a search and seizure warrant at the suspect’s residence.
Perry was subsequently transported to the Montgomery County Detention Center, where he was charged with First Degree Robbery, First Degree Burglary, First Degree Sex Offense, along with various other theft and credit card theft offenses. Perry is currently being held without bond at the County Detention Center.
Chief Ricucci praises the work of the Criminal Investigations Division, Tactical Enforcement Unit and the patrol officers who responded on the initial call. Many hours of hard work led to the arrest and closure of this case.
NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
• 7500 Maple Avenue • Takoma Park, Md 20912
For more information contact:
Det. Corporal Andrew M. John, Police Information Officer
301/891-7148 E-mail:andrewj@takomagov.org
July 14, 2007 (8:00AM)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Home Invasion Robbery
On July 13 at approximately 11:45 PM, Police officials were summoned to the 400 block of Lincoln Ave for the report of a Home Invasion Robbery. Officials learned that the victim was confronted by a male suspect who entered thru a unsecured rear door of her residence. The suspect demanded money and obtained $25.00. The suspect instructed the victim to disrobe and sexually assaulted her. The suspect then bound and blind folded the victim and searched her for additional money. The suspect obtained two of the victims credit cards , a PIN number and a lap top computer before fleeing the residence in a unknown direction. Investigators learned that the suspect used the victims credit cards twice immediately after the robbery. The suspect is described as a black male, stocky build with bushy hair.
NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
• 7500 Maple Avenue • Takoma Park, Md 20912
For more information contact:
D/Cpl. Andrew M. John, Police Information Officer
301/891-7148
July 03, 2007 (10:00 pm)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hyattsville man convicted of 1st Degree Murder
A Montgomery County Circuit Court Jury convicted Nelson Noel Ventura of Hyattsville, Maryland of 1st Degree Murder and Conspiracy to commit 1st Degree Murder after a five day trial and lengthy jury deliberations. Ventura was arrested on September 08, 2006 in connection with the September 01, brutal beating death of Luis Ricardo Jovel of Silver Spring after an extensive investigation by Takoma Park Detectives. A co-defendant, Jose Dennis Ramos of Silver Spring, Maryland was convicted of similar charges on June 18, 2007. A sentencing date is to be announced.
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NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
• 7500 Maple Avenue • Takoma Park, Md 20912
For more information contact:
D/Cpl. Andrew M. John, Police Information Officer
301/891-7148
July 03, 2007 (11:00 pm)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On June 26, the Maryland International Corridor CSAFE Initiative conducted their second Joint Bike Patrol, including six police officers from Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and Takoma Park Police Departments. Officers from the three jurisdictions conducted high-visibility bike patrols throughout the Takoma-Langley Crossroads and beyond to deter crime and reduce resident fear of crime. Officers made 25 citizen contacts and 12 subject stops for loitering, public intoxication and trespassing. Two citations for possession of an open alcoholic beverage were issued.
These joint efforts are a great way to increase police visibility in the community and leverage departmental resources in a targeted geographical area. The next Joint Bike Patrol will be conducted in August.
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