PGPD Announces Quick Arrest in Homicide on Central Hill Lane

Prince George’s County, Maryland…The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit has charged 17 year-old James Edward Taylor in connection with the murder of 26 year-old Maurice Valentine.

 

On January 6, 2011 at approximately 11:35 a.m., uniform patrol officers responded to the 900 block of Central Hill Lane in Seat Pleasant, Maryland for a citizen’s complaint of the sound of gunshots in the area.  Uniform patrol officers quickly responded to the area and discovered Valentine, of the 5000 block of Kimi Gray Court in Washington, D.C., suffering from a gunshot wound.  He was pronounced dead on the scene. 

 

Citizens were able to provide responding uniform patrol officers with a detailed description of a fleeing suspect.  With this description, uniform patrol officers canvassing the neighborhoods were able to locate and arrest Taylor, of the 1100 Dixie Bowie Way in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  The apprehension was made and the murder weapon was recovered without further incident.  Taylor has been charged with first degree murder and remanded to the Department of corrections on a no bond status.  Homicide detectives were able to determine that the motive in this case was a personal dispute between the victim Valentine and the suspect Taylor.

Interim Chief Mark Magaw stated, “This is a text book example of the Community and Police Department working together quickly to solve a murder.  Residents were willing to get involved and give us the critical information we needed right away.  A detective was on scene within a minute, and patrol officers quickly set up a perimeter, allowing us to capture the murderer within 10 minutes of the killing.  I especially want to thank the Seat Pleasant Police Department for their help in this case.”

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit at (301) 772-4925.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411 TIPS (8477) or text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/police/ and submit a tip online.