T1 Beat:
Larceny – From Auto
6800 block of Westmoreland Avenue, Sunday, May 24 between 2:00 p.m. and 3:28 p.m. No forced entry. Property taken. Suspect: B/M, 28-35, 160-180 lbs., dreadlocks to shoulders.
T2 Beat:
No reported incidents.
T3 Beat:
Robbery
An armed robbery occurred Friday, May 22 at 2:40 a.m. in the 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue. Victims exited front door of location and observed two suspects in a dark blue Dodge Caravan (later determined stolen). Both suspects approached the victims, displayed semi-automatic handguns, and demanded money. Suspects forcibly took cash, re-entered the van, and fled the parking lot. S1: B/m, 5’10-5’11, medium complexion slim build, short hair, covered face with white T-Shirt, white tank-top, blue jeans. S2: B/M, 16-20, 5'6-5'8, medium complexion, slim build, dreadlocks to top of shoulder, white T-Shirt, blue jeans.
Residential Burglary
700 block of Ethan Allen Avenue, between Sunday, May 24 at 11:00 a.m. and Monday, May 25 at 2:00 a.m. Forced entry. Property taken.
Auto Theft
1100 block of University Boulevard, Saturday, May 23 between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ’89 Toyota Camry. RECOVERED: Saturday, May 23 at 7:57 p.m. in Hyattsville, MD
Arrests:
On Friday, May 22 at 1:44 a.m. in the 1100 block of University Boulevard, two adult males were arrested and charged with Possession of with Intent to Distribute – Marijuana.
On Saturday, May 23 at 11:35 a.m. in the 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue, an adult male was arrested and charged with Possession of Open Container Alcohol.
On Saturday, May 23 at 6:21 p.m. in the 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue, an adult male was arrested and charged with Possession of Open Container Alcohol.
On Saturday, May 23 at 10:42 p.m. in the 900 block of Merrimac Drive, an adult male was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct, Possession Drug Paraphernalia, and 2nd Degree Assault.
On Sunday, May 24 at 12:45 p.m. in the 7500 block of New Hampshire Avenue, an adult male was arrested and charged with Possession Open Container Alcohol.
The National Weather Service has issued a FLASH FLOOD WARNING for Montgomery County until 11:30 am. At 8:12 am, Doppler radar indicated very heavy rainfall moving through the County. 2-3" of rain has already fallen in some areas, and an additional 1-2" is possible.
Residents should expect extremely heavy rain that may flood low lying areas and streets with slow drainage. Do not try to cross flooded roads. Use caution while driving.
Flash Floods kill more people every year than any other weather hazard. Do not drive through flooded areas. As little as 2 feet of water can sweep a vehicle off the road. Please stay alert for any warnings.
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
May 22, 2009 (1:45 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On May 21, 2009, at approximately 5:57 p.m., Takoma Park Police officers responded to the intersection of Westmoreland Avenue and Carroll Avenue for reports of a cyclist struck by a motor vehicle. The cyclist was traveling northbound on Carroll Avenue and the striking vehicle was traveling southbound on Carroll Avenue. The driver of the vehicle made a left hand turn, at which point he struck the cyclist. The cyclist was transported to Washington Adventist Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle was issued a Maryland State Citation for failing to yield the right of way while making a left hand turn.
Bicyclists are less visible, quieter, and don’t have a protective barrier around them as the motorists. Motorists should drive carefully around a bicyclist; a slight mistake can result in injury or death. Bicyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.
Always expect to encounter a bicyclist on the road: on all types of roads, in all types of weather and at all times of the day and night. Bicyclists may be riding out in the travel lane for their own safety due to narrow roads, obstacles, or broken pavement.
Pass a bicyclist as you would any slow-moving vehicle. After passing a bicyclist, check over your shoulder to make sure you have allowed enough room before moving over.
Always assume bicyclists are traveling through an intersection unless they signal otherwise, and yield to them as you would to any other slow-moving vehicle. Do not turn left or right in front of bicyclists unless you can do so safely.
Please drive carefully and share the road.
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
May 19, 2009 (1:47 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The statewide Chiefs’ Challenge, which emphasizes safety restraint enforcement, began on May 1 and will run through the month of May 2009. The City of Takoma Park Police Department officers will focus on enforcement of the state’s seat belt laws as part of the nationwide “Click It or Ticket” campaign. Officers are standing at various places throughout the City during the campaign in order to issue tickets to any person not wearing a seatbelt or who does not have their child properly restrained.
Citizens are reminded that the driver, front seat passenger, and all other occupants under the age of 16 must wear a seat belt or be restrained by a child safety seat. The penalty for this violation is $25.00. A child under the age of 8, less than 4’9” tall, and weighing less than 65 pounds should be secured in an approved child safety seat if the vehicle is registered in Maryland. The penalty for this violation is $50.00.
Takoma Park Police Chief, Ronald A. Ricucci, is hoping for less tickets this year because that means citizens are taking their safety, and that of their children, very seriously. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Click it or Ticket” is one of the most successful seat belt enforcement campaigns ever, helping to increase the national seatbelt usage rate.
The City is seeking funding from the U.S. Dept. of Justice under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (BJAG) program, as allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Proposed use of the funds will be:
1) Restoration of overtime funds for the use in extra directed patrol and plain clothes details, aimed at suppression of specific crime problems such as street robberies. $28,736
2) Funding for additional hours for the Police Department's Accreditation Manager (currently a half-time position) in order to provide improved support to Command Staff in the areas of CALEA compliance, revisions to agency directives, and inspectional services. This assistance will help the agency provide improved overall performance in delivering law enforcement service to the community. $28,735
A public comment period of 30 days is being provided prior to any obligations of payment under this program. Comments should be forwarded to:
Capt. Edward E. Coursey
Takoma Park Police Department
7500 Maple Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
edwardc@takomagov.org
301-891-7105
T1 Beat:
Burglary – Residential
6700 block of Eastern Avenue, Monday, May 11 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Forced entry. Property taken.
6400 block of 5th Avenue, Thursday, May 7 at 1:05 p.m. Forced entry. Property taken. Adult male suspect arrested and charged with 1st Degree Burglary.
T2 Beat:
Burglary – Commercial
7600 block of Maple Avenue, Wednesday, May 13 at 6:19 a.m. Forced entry. Property taken.
Larceny – From Vehicle
7200 block of Hilton Avenue, between Wednesday, May 6 at 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, May 7 at 8:45 a.m. Forced entry. No property taken.
T3 Beat:
No reported incidents.
Arrests:
On Thursday, May 7 at 12:07 p.m. in the 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue, an adult male was arrested and charged with Trespassing.
On Sunday, May 10 at 2:51 a.m. in the 7600 block of Maple Avenue, an adult male was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence.
Please spread the word. There is plenty of space. Advance registration preferred, but folks can also register at the door.
Be Part of a Safer Silver Spring
Come to the Safe Silver Spring Summit on May 16, 2009, for the latest information on crime and its prevention and to share your ideas and solutions.
Please register by sending an email to SafeSilverSpring@gmail.com.
Sponsored by area civic associations, non-profits and local officials, the mission of Safe Silver Spring is to develop strategies, partnerships and goals to keep Silver Spring a community where people can live, work, travel, shop and play safely. The first Safe Silver Spring summit will bring together citizens and community leaders to develop an action plan that enables communities to reduce crime and keep our neighborhoods safer. People are encouraged to register now.
The summit will be held at Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. Sessions begin and end at the Science North Building room SN100 on Fenton St, south of the intersection of Fenton and New York Avenue. Free parking is at the East Campus Garage on Fenton St. Campus Map http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/maps/tpcamp.html
Summit agenda – The morning and afternoon sessions are identical. Please sign up for one or the other and indicate your top two choices for workshops. Also note if you need a translator.
Morning session
8:00 – 8:30 Registration
8:30 – 9:00 Overview
9:10 - 10: 40 6 simultaneous workshops
10:50 - 11:20 Workshop reports, end of morning session
Lunch
11:30 – 12:15 Lunch for all participants
Afternoon session
11:30- 12:00 Registration
12:25 - 12:55 Overview
1:05 – 2:35 6 simultaneous workshops
2:45 – 3:15 Workshop reports, end of afternoon session
Workshop Topics
1. Making Safe and Civil Public Spaces/ Central Business District (CBD) of Silver Spring
2. Gangs and Pack Robberies
3. Youth: Schools, Truants, and Kids Hanging Out
4. Policing, Security, Resources and Communication
5. Por qué y cómo iniciar un programa de Vigilancia comunitaria en el vecindario (Why and How to Start a Neighborhood Watch) (Workshop will be in Spanish )
6. Residential Neighborhoods
Registration procedures
Please sign up by May 13th so we can better plan for the Summit. We prefer that attendees contact us via email at following email address: SafeSilverSpring@gmail.com. For those without access to email, please call 301-431-4185 ext 212
When registering, attendees will need to specify morning or afternoon session, provide their first two choices as to workshop topics, and indicate if there is a need for language (e.g., Spanish, Amharic, sign) translation and other special needs, if any. We would appreciate volunteers to help us with registration, room setups, etc. Please contact us at the above email address
(SafeSilverSpring@gmail.com), if able to help in the days prior to the summit or during the day of the summit.
There is no charge for this summit, but donations are welcome.
We are particularly interested in having youth play a leadership role or participate in this summit.
Sponsors and Organizers
Lead sponsors:
· Prezco* (Presidents’ Council of Silver Spring Civic Associations)
· SSCAB (Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board)
· Silver Spring Regional Center
· Office of Councilmember Valerie Ervin
Other participating organizations include::
· 3rd District Police
· State Attorney’s Office
· Northwest Park Oakview Weed and Seed
· Montgomery County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
· International Corridor C-Safe
· MD Community Crime Prevention Institute
· Downtown Silver Spring
· Montgomery County Public Schools Safe and Drug Free Schools
· Safe Takoma
· Impact Silver Spring
· CASA de Maryland
· MD Office of Crime Control and Prevention
· USDOJ/COPS
· Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator and the Street Outreach Network
*Prezco neighborhoods include: East Silver Spring, Indian Spring, Linden, North Hills of Sligo Creek, North Woodside/Montgomery Hills, Park Hills, Seven Oaks-Evanswood, Sligo Branview, South Silver Spring, Woodside, Woodside Forest, and Woodside Park.
Tony Hausner
Silver Spring, MD
home: 301-587-6943
cell: 301-641-0497
On May 13, 2009, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7600 block of Maple Avenue, at approximately 6:19 a.m., for reports of a burglary that had occurred at the Black Lion Enterprises business. The glass front door to the business had been smashed out. There is no suspect information. Property was taken. Investigation continues under case #09025376. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301.270.1100.
On May 11, 2009, Takoma Park Police responded to the 6700 block of Eastern Avenue, at approximately 3:30 p.m., for reports of a burglary that had occurred earlier in the day some time between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The victim arrived home to find her home ransacked. The front door to the residence had been kicked in and a rear basement door was also open. There is no suspect information. Property was taken. Investigation continues under case #09025070. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301.270.1100.
Effective Sunday, May 10, 2009, the Takoma Park Police Department will switch to an all black, everyday uniform. The uniform will be worn by all officers in the patrol division. This uniform was selected so that all officers are wearing the same uniform. This is a more durable, everyday uniform. Our patch will now have a black background. This is a process which started as a result of citizen feedback on the City’s survey of residents in regards to appearance and our old uniforms. As a result of negotiations with our police union, Local 400, we reduced a negotiated benefit so the uniforms could be purchased by the City and not have a fiscal impact on the City budget.
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
May 8, 2009 (3:10 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Ronald A. Ricucci from the Takoma Park Police Department announces the arrest of Vyron Alexander Cox, Jr., 23, of Washington, D.C., for 1st Degree Burglary, Destruction of Property and Theft over $500.
On May 7, 2009, at approximately 1:07 p.m., Takoma Park Police responded to the 6400 block of 5th Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland, for reports of a residential burglary that had just occurred. Officers arrived and located the subject. When an officer started speaking with the subject, he began to flee on foot. A perimeter was set up and a Takoma Park Police officer deployed his K-9 partner, who was able to locate the subject on Sheridan Street in Washington, D.C. Cox was arrested and taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police Department. He will be extradited back to Maryland to face charges.
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
May 7, 2009 (4:15 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Ronald A. Ricucci of the City of Takoma Park Police Department announced today that Part 1 crime has declined 17.9% for the first quarter of the year (January 1 – April 30, 2009) – this coming on top of the 11% drop last year is a 28.9% drop in serious crime for the last 16 months. Declines in Burglary (51.1%), Motor Vehicle Thefts (48.7%) and Robbery (20.0%) played a major part in the significant drop.
Chief Ricucci attributes these positive numbers to a fully staffed department, a more experienced undercover Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) on the street, more closures and arrests by the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and our working relationships with all surrounding jurisdictions. There have been at least three weekends of vandalism to vehicles which has disturbed the community. We made an arrest in one case, but two others remain open. Despite these cases, vandalisms are still down from last year.
Our community has responded well to our requests to be our eyes of what is occurring in their neighborhoods. Community involvement, cooperation and support is a fundamental reason why we are being successful at this time.
Chief Ricucci praises the efforts of the men and women of the department, sworn and non-sworn, whose hard work and effort produced these results. The department-community partnership continues to grow and improve.
T1 Beat:
Auto Theft
*7400 block of Birch Avenue, Saturday, May 2 at 10:48 p.m. ’98 Ford Mustang. Attempt only. Citizens observed two B/M inside listed vehicle with flashlights. Both subjects fled to red 4-door vehicle (possible Toyota or Honda). Inspection of vehicle showed damage to vehicle door, ignition, and steering column.
*7400 block of Holly Avenue, Sunday, May 3 between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. ’97 Ford Taurus. RECOVERED Monday, May 4 at 11:40 p.m. in Washington, D.C.
*Incidents may be related.
T2 Beat:
Larceny – From Auto
THREE thefts from vehicles occurred in the 300 block of Lincoln Avenue between Thursday, April 30 at 9:00 p.m. and Friday, May 1 at 7:00 a.m. Forced entry. Property taken.
T3 Beat:
Robbery
A strong-arm robbery occurred in the 1300 block of University Boulevard, Monday May 4 at 3:30 p.m. Victim exited 7-11 and followed by suspect. Victim struck twice by suspect who took the victim’s property and fled on foot. Suspect: “Roberto”, H/M, 30-35, 5’4”, 150 lbs., thin beard, short black hair, and gold tooth.
Larceny – From Auto
FOUR thefts from vehicles occurred between Thursday, April 30 at 11:00 p.m. and Friday, may 1 at 7:00 a.m.: 7000 block of Aspen Avenue, 400 block of Boyd Avenue, 7400 block of Jackson Avenue, and 7500 block of Jackson Avenue. Forced entry. Property taken. *Incidents related to the three thefts from vehicles in T2 Beat.
Arrests:
On Friday, May 1 at 10:00 p.m. in the 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue, a juvenile male was arrested and charged with Carrying/Concealing Deadly Weapon. Please see COMMUNITY ADVISORY from Thursday, May 7, 2009 for update.
On Wednesday, May 6 at 6:24 p.m. in the 7600 block of Maple Avenue, a juvenile male was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Assault on Police Officer, Trespassing, Concealed Deadly Weapon, and Child in Need of Supervision.
** CORRECTED 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
May 7, 2009 (10:50 a.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Ronald Ricucci announced today the officers and civilians who have won 2008 awards. This is as a result of the awards committee, made up of sworn and non-sworn personnel, who reviewed all of the activities of 2008. As a result of this review, the following officers and civilians will be recognized at the Takoma Park Police Awards Banquet, which is being held on Friday, May 8, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., at The Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland – University College, 3501 University Blvd., Adelphi, Maryland. The Press is invited.
The 2008 Officer of the Year is Detective Private First Class Charles Hoetzel. D/Pfc. Hoetzel was selected because of his overall outstanding performance of duties as an officer and his dedication to the Department in numerous additional tasks, including his new role as detective in the Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU). He led the department in arrests with more than 50 drug arrests, including one in which over 10 pounds of marijuana was seized.
D/Pfc. Hoetzel took the Oath of Office with the Takoma Park Police Department on March 3, 2008. He successfully completed his field training in June 2008. D/Pfc. Hoetzel currently works in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) of the Takoma Park Police Department. D/Pfc. Hoetzel’s teamwork, persistence and efforts to take felons off the streets, to ensure the safety of others, is outstanding.
We congratulate D/Pfc. Hoetzel on being named Officer of the Year!
The 2008 Civilian of the Year is Ms. Danyelle Gallop. Ms. Gallop significantly contributed to the Department's visions and goals through her outstanding performance showing initiative, perseverance and dedication to duty and the Department in highly creditable work.
We congratulate Ms. Gallop on being named Civilian of the Year!
There are a variety of other awards that are given out at the Takoma Park Police Awards Banquet, as follows, and we also congratulate them!
Meritorious Service Medal
Pfc. Angela Donovan
Life-Saving Medal
D/Sgt. Andrew John
Cpl. Cynthia Conrad
Cpl. Greg Wolff
Supervisor of the Year
Lt. Richard Cipperly
Unit Citation
Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU)
D/Sgt. Andrew John
D/Pfc. Matthew Barber
D/Pfc. Thomas Black
D/Pfc. Charles Hoetzel
First Place Shooter Award
Pfc. David Quante
Command Recognition
Sgt. Tyrone Collington
D/Sgt. Richard Poole
D/Sgt. Andrew John
Det. Richard Cannatella
Det. Matthew Barber
Cpl. Kristian Pedersen
Cpl. Keith Largent
Pfc. Derek Fields
Pfc. Walter Smith
Pfc. Joseph Butler
Pvt. Abigail Gaines-Brown
Ms. Catherine Plevy
Memorandums of
Commendation
Lt. Richard Cipperly
D/Sgt. Andrew John
Sgt. Tina Smith
Cpl. Fred Roush
Cpl. Jerome Erwin
Cpl. Greg Wolff
Cpl. Nick Carter
Det. Richard Cannatella
Det. Matthew Barber
Det. Charles Hoetzel
Pfc. Joseph Butler
Pfc. Ernest Atwell
Pfc. Kyle Robison
Pvt. Samuel Villegas
Pvt. Darrell Mathew
Pvt. Carla Magnaye
Ms. Danyelle Gallop
Ms. Demetrice White
Ms. Kyleen Luy
Education Awards
Dispatcher Ana Cubillo
Det. Rick Cannatella
Ms. Kyleen Luy
Ms. Gretchen Hilburger
Cpl. Michelle Holmes
Pfc. Angela Donovan
Pfc. Joseph Butler
Letters of Appreciation:
Ms. Minnie Johnson
Ms. Doris Rodgers
Ms. Ethel Sutton
Ms. Virinia “Liz” James
Ms. Carolyn Pinkard
Ms. Emma Garcia de Reyes
Ms. Pamela Sprouse
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
May 7, 2009 (10:30 a.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Ronald Ricucci announced today the officers and civilians who have won 2008 awards. This is as a result of the awards committee, made up of sworn and non-sworn personnel, who reviewed all of the activities of 2008. As a result of this review, the following officers and civilians will be recognized at the Takoma Park Police Awards Banquet, which is being held on Friday, May 8, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., at The Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland – University College, 3501 University Blvd., Adelphi, Maryland. The Press is invited.
The 2008 Officer of the Year is Detective Private First Class Charles Hoetzel. D/Pfc. Hoetzel was selected because of his overall outstanding performance of duties as an officer and his dedication to the Department in numerous additional tasks, including his new role as detective in the Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU). He led the department in arrests with more than 50 drug arrests, including one in which over 10 pounds of marijuana was seized.
D/Pfc. Hoetzel took the Oath of Office with the Takoma Park Police Department on March 3, 2008. He successfully completed his field training in June 2008. D/Pfc. Hoetzel currently works in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) of the Takoma Park Police Department. D/Pfc. Hoetzel’s teamwork, persistence and efforts to take felons off the streets, to ensure the safety of others, is outstanding.
We congratulate D/Pfc. Hoetzel on being named Officer of the Year!
The 2008 Civilian of the Year is Ms. Danyelle Gallop. Ms. Gallop significantly contributed to the Department's visions and goals through her outstanding performance showing initiative, perseverance and dedication to duty and the Department in highly creditable work.
We congratulate Ms. Gallop on being named Civilian of the Year!
There are a variety of other awards that are given out at the Takoma Park Police Awards Banquet, as follows, and we also congratulate them!
Meritorious Service Medal
Pfc. Angela Donovan
Life-Saving Medal
D/Sgt. Andrew John
Cpl. Cynthia Conrad
Cpl. Greg Wolff
Supervisor of the Year
Lt. Richard Cipperly
Unit Citation
Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU)
D/Sgt. Andrew John
D/Pfc. Matthew Barber
D/Pfc. Thomas Black
D/Pfc. Charles Hoetzel
First Place Shooter Award
Pfc. David Quante
Command Recognition
Sgt. Tyrone Collington
D/Sgt. Richard Poole
D/Sgt. Andrew John
Det. Richard Cannatella
Det. Matthew Barber
Cpl. Kristian Pedersen
Cpl. Keith Largent
Pfc. Derek Fields
Pfc. Walter Smith
Pfc. Joseph Butler
Pvt. Abigail Gaines-Brown
Ms. Catherine Plevy
Memorandums of
Commendation
Lt. Richard Cipperly
D/Sgt. Andrew John
Sgt. Tina Smith
Cpl. Fred Roush
Cpl. Jerome Erwin
Cpl. Greg Wolff
Cpl. Nick Carter
Det. Richard Cannatella
Det. Matthew Barber
Det. Charles Hoetzel
Pfc. Joseph Butler
Pfc. Ernest Atwell
Pfc. Kyle Robison
Pvt. Samuel Villegas
Pvt. Darrell Mathew
Pvt. Carla Magnaye
Ms. Danyelle Gallop
Ms. Demetrice White
Education Awards
Dispatcher Ana Cubillo
Det. Rick Cannatella
Ms. Kyleen Luy
Ms. Gretchen Hilburger
Cpl. Michelle Holmes
Pfc. Angela Donovan
Pfc. Joseph Butler
Letters of Appreciation:
Ms. Minnie Johnson
Ms. Doris Rodgers
Ms. Ethel Sutton
Ms. Virinia “Liz” James
Ms. Carolyn Pinkard
Ms. Emma Garcia de Reyes
Ms. Pamela Sprouse
Chief Ronald Ricucci of the Takoma Park Police Department received a lot of feedback pursuant to the May 1, 2009, Community Advisory. That Advisory concerned a juvenile who was charged with carrying/concealing a deadly weapon and then released to the custody of his parents after being denied intake by the State Department of Juvenile Services. This has been a continuing problem for law enforcement officers in Montgomery County. As a result of the State Department of Juvenile Services not incarcerating this juvenile, we notified the State’s Attorney’s Office who has requested that this case be reviewed and the juvenile suspect be incarcerated. This Department, as a regular practice, follows up with the State’s Attorney’s Office when we believe a juvenile suspect poses a danger to our community.
On May 1, 2009, at approximately 10:01 p.m., Takoma Park Police Department’s Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) were conducting an undercover surveillance of a group of suspected gang members in the area of University Boulevard at New Hampshire Avenue. One of the TEU detectives observed a subject on University Boulevard who appeared to be behaving in a suspicious manner. Continued observation revealed that the subject veered away from the other members and started to walk towards a vehicle. While walking towards the vehicle, the subject retrieved from his right front pocket a butterfly-style lock-blade knife which was in an extended position. In an effort to maintain public safety, members of the TEU deployed from their vehicle and detained the subject and four of his associates. A second group of suspects fled on foot southbound on New Hampshire Avenue. It is believed that the subject was attempting to carjack or rob the vehicle he was approaching. The subject, a 17 year old male, was charged with carrying/displaying a concealed deadly weapon. Montgomery County Juvenile Services were contacted, however, they refused the intake. The subject was released to the custody of a parent without further incident.
On May 1, 2009, at approximately 10:37 p.m. Takoma Park Police Officers responded to the parking lot of the Bank of America, on the Prince George’s County side, after hearing shots fired in the area of the McDonalds. A search of the area revealed that several shots were fired at several individuals in the parking lot of the Bank of America near the Taco Bell just north of New Hampshire Avenue and University Boulevard. Takoma Park Police, along with Montgomery County Police, arrived on the scene, investigated the area and found several shell casings. The subjects who were shot at were from various locations in Prince George’s County, including Lewisdale, Landover and Hyattsville. One of the suspects is described as a black male, wearing a white t-shirt, who may have been the driver of a suspect green Honda. Another suspect, unknown description, may have been holding an automatic handgun - according to witnesses who saw him holding it with two hands as he ran towards the Rite Aid. The suspects fled in the suspect vehicle, a green Honda, westbound on University Boulevard with a possible suspect female driver, unknown description. There were no known injuries. The incident is being handled by Prince George’s County Police. Should you have any information regarding this incident, please call Takoma Park Police at 301-270-1100 (call #090141467), who is working together with Prince George’s County. We are putting the information out because so many shots were fired through the three jurisdictions and we would like to keep the citizens informed.
Between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., April 30 – May 1, 2009, unknown suspects broke into, vandalized and stole property from seven (7) vehicles from the following locations:
300 block of Lincoln Avenue
7400-7500 blocks of Jackson Avenue
7000 block of Aspen Avenue
400 block of Boyd Avenue
Some of the vehicles were left unsecured or the passenger-side windows were broken out. Property was taken from some vehicles and other vehicles were rifled through.
At this time, there is no suspect information.
If anyone has any information concerning these thefts/vandalisms, please contact the Takoma Park Police Department at 301.270.1100.
A probable case of the H1N1 (swine) flu has resulted in the closure of Rockville High School today. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, Schools Superintendent Dr. Jerry Weast, County Health Officer Dr. Ulder Tillman, Health & Human Services director Uma Ahluwalia and state health officials will hold a press conference this morning at 10:30 to talk about the status of the flu in Montgomery County and discuss next steps. Residents with cable television can tune in on Channel 6 (Comcast and RCN) or 30 (Verizon) or go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov for more information.