Pedestrian Struck By Car in December of 2018 Dies of Injuries

The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a pedestrian collision that took place last December in Lanham. The pedestrian died of his injuries earlier this week. He is 25-year-old Anthony Butcher of Lanham.

On December 7, 2018, at approximately 5:50 pm, patrol officers were called to the area of Whitfield Chapel Road and Annapolis Road for a collision involving a pedestrian. The pedestrian, Butcher, was taken to a hospital for injuries. The involved driver was not hurt.

The preliminary investigation reveals the involved car was traveling southbound on Whitfield Chapel Road at the time of the collision. Butcher was attempting to cross that roadway when he was struck. He was not in a crosswalk at the time. The driver remained on the scene.

Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit at 301-731-4422. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477); online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com or the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app to your mobile device).

Detectives to Conduct Canvass in City of College Park Homicide

Homicide Unit detectives will canvass a College Park neighborhood this evening as part of their investigation into a fatal shooting that occurred in May. The victim is 33-year-old Ronnie Jacobs, Jr. of no fixed address. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.

On May 22nd, at approximately 6:00 am, patrol officers responded to the 8700 block of Rhode Island Avenue in the City of College Park for the report of an unresponsive man. Officers discovered Jacobs outside suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

“At this point in the investigation, it does appear Mr. Jacobs was randomly targeted. He was located next to a park bench he often slept on. This murder has understandably caused a lot of concern among residents in that area. We want them to know we continue to actively investigate this crime.  We also need any and all information that could help us to this solve this case.  You never know what piece of information will be the clue that leads us to finding the person who is responsible for his death.  Please don’t hesitate to call,” said Major Brian Reilly, Commander of the Criminal Investigation Division.  

The canvass is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm this evening in the 8700 block of Rhode Island Avenue.

If anyone has information relevant to this investigation, they are asked to please call detectives 301-772-4925. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.)

Detectives Arrest Suspect in Murder of Zoe Spears

Gerardo Thomas

Prince George’s County Police Homicide Unit detectives identified and arrested the suspect who shot and killed Zoe Spears in June. The suspect is 33-year-old Gerardo Thomas of the 1900 block of W. Lexington Street in Baltimore.

On June 13^th, at approximately 11:55 pm, officers with the Fairmount Heights Police Department responded to the 600 block of 59^th Avenue for the report of an unresponsive female on a sidewalk. Spears was suffering from a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead on the scene.

While conducting a crime scene canvass in the hours after the murder, detectives recovered surveillance video that captured the actual murder and the suspect’s van.

Chief Stawinski is in Omaha, Nebraska today receiving an award on behalf of our Police Department’s Special Operations Division, Aviation Section, but could not overstate the value of the commitment of the Criminal Investigations Division as demonstrated by the tremendous investigative effort poured into this case. He said, “This arrest demonstrates our commitment to our community and to the dignity of every single human being. Your detectives used every resource at their disposal to the fullest extent, but ultimately it was grit and determination that led to the identification of the individual responsible for callously taking Zoe’s life.  Homicide Unit detectives worked around the clock on this case throughout the past five weeks, initially with nothing more to go on than a grainy surveillance image of the killer’s van.  Your detectives, led by Major Reilly, were unfazed by the scope of investigation or the tens of thousands of images that they would review in order to identify the killer and obtain justice for Zoe. I am proud of them, and I know that our community is as well.”

 The motive for this murder remains under investigation.

If anyone recognizes Thomas or saw this van in the area around the time of Zoe’s murder, we are asking you to please call our Homicide Unit.  

The Prince George’s County Police Department extends its most sincere thanks to the Baltimore Field Office of the FBI for its technical and investigative assistance in this case.  In addition, we’d like to thank the Metropolitan Police Department, Baltimore Police Department, DC Department of Motor Vehicles, MD MVA Investigations Division, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, National Insurance Crime Bureau and the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center.

Please call our detectives at 301-772-4925 with any information relevant to this case.Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.) Please refer to case 19-0034889.

Five Teens Arrested for Armed Robbery of a Business Following Pursuit

The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested five teens who fled from officers after the teens robbed a pharmacy retail store in Clinton at gunpoint. Officers quickly located the getaway car and attempted a traffic stop. Instead of stopping, the teens fled from officers.   Their eventual capture was thanks to several members of our Bureau of Patrol. Our Aviation Section was, also, called in for aerial support and maintained visual contact of the fleeing car throughout the pursuit. A two-minute helicopter surveillance video of the pursuit  is attached.

David McKinney

Corey Nelson

Rodney Wood

Keondre Reel

The suspects are 19-year old David McKinney of the 1000 block of 18^th Street in Northeast, Washington DC, 18-year-old Corey Nelson of the 4000 block of Clay Place in Southeast, Washington DC, 18-year-old Rodney Wood of the 5000 block of Ascot Court in Alexandria and 17-year-old Keondre Reel of the 1800 block of Kendall Street in Northeast, Washington DC. The fifth suspect, a teenage girl, is charged as a juvenile.

The preliminary investigation reveals the group targeted the pharmacy retail store in the 8000 block of Branch Avenue in Clinton at approximately 1:35 am on July 16^th.  Within minutes of the robbery, responding patrol officers located the car and the pursuit began. It ended at approximately 2:07 am in Montgomery County. No one was hurt during the pursuit.  After the suspects crashed their car on the Georgia Avenue exit ramp to the Beltway, all five suspects were apprehended without incident.

The suspects are charged with robbery.

If anyone has information relevant to this investigation, they are asked to please call our detectives at 301-772-4905. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device.) Please refer to case 19-0041460.