MEDIA ADVISORY: Update On I-495 Crash Involving the Prince George’s County Fire Department and Two Other Vehicles

Who:     Lt. Bill Alexander, Prince George’s County Police

What:    Media availability regarding today’s early morning crash on the Beltway

When:   3:30pm

Where:   Police Services Complex

              7600 Barlowe Rd.

              Palmer Park, MD  20785

PGPD and UMPD Investigate Indecent Exposures

The Prince George’s County Police Department and the University of Maryland Police Department are investigating separate indecent exposure incidents in College Park.

On January 29, 2013, around 8:40 am, Prince George's County Police officers responded to the 4500 block of College Avenue in College Park for a call for indecent exposure.  The victim related she observed a man with his pants down, and believes he may have been masturbating as he was standing next to a vehicle.  The suspect made no attempt to interact with or assault the victim.  The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 40 years old.  The PGPD Northern District I Investigative Unit is investigating this incident.

Several hours later around 1:45 pm, the University of Maryland Police Department responded to an indecent exposure call on campus, also involving a white male.  The male in this incident is described as approximately 20 years old.  UMPD is investigating this incident.

Detectives are working to identify the suspects in these incidents and they praised the victims for quickly reporting the crimes.  There currently does not appear to be a correlation between the two incidents.

Anyone with information about these cases is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s R.I.D. Northern District I Investigative Unit at (301) 699-2601. 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.

PGPD Investigates Murder in Landover

Updated January 31, 2013: Updated January 31, 2013:    The victim’s stolen car has been recovered, thanks to a Crime Solvers tip.  Detectives found the car late on January 30, 2013, in the 300 block of Hillside Terrace in Landover. The car was found abandoned.  It is now being processed for evidence.   

Updated January 29, 2013:  The victim is identified as 48 year-old Keith Massaton Watson of the 9100 block of Grandhaven Avenue in Upper Marlboro.  Detectives are searching for his 2004 black Audi A6, which has dark tinted windows and Maryland Bay tags 01524CE.  Detectives believe the victim's car, pictured below, was taken during the murder. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS, 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.

Actual Vehicle

The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a murder in Landover.

On January 28, 2013, around 12:55 pm, police officers responded to the 8500 block of Rainswood Drive in Landover for a shooting. Upon arrival, police officers found a man inside an industrial building, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Detectives are working to identify the suspect(s) and motive 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), 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.

PGPD Arrests Suspect for Shooting at Police Officers

The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested a Forestville man today after he shot at police officers.  The officers were executing a search warrant on his home.

Jeremiah Ronald Pearson

On January 28, 2013, at around 5:00 am, the Special Operations Division Emergency Services Team was serving a narcotics search warrant in the 3300 block of Walters Lane in Forestville.  The team encountered a heavy steel door as they attempted to make entry, forcing them to use a two-man ram to get inside.  It took more than a minute for the door to give way, during which time officers made multiple announcements saying the police department was on scene, and asking the occupants to open the door.  Just prior to the team getting inside, the suspect fired on the officers.  The round struck the heavy steel door and lodged there, preventing the officers from being struck.

Detectives believe after the first shot was fired, the suspect’s gun jammed, preventing the suspect from firing additional rounds.  The gunman then ran to a rear bedroom and threw the weapon out a window.  Police officers were then able to arrest the suspect without further incident.  In addition to the .22 caliber handgun, officers recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition, suspected marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

The suspect is identified as 25 year-old Jeremiah Ronald Pearson, of the 3300 block of Walters Lane in Forestville.  Pearson is charged with multiple counts of attempted murder.  Pearson is being transferred to the Department of Corrections where a court commissioner will determine his bond status.

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), 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.

PGPD Hosting Media Breakfast Meeting

The Prince George’s County Police Department's Media Relations Division will host a meeting this Wednesday for members of the media.  Reporters and editors are invited to meet and interact with Media Relations Division members, as well as the PGPD executive command staff.  A continental breakfast will be served.

Who:        Julie Parker, Director, Media Relations Division

                Prince George's County Police Department Command Staff

                 

When:      Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Time:       8:30 am – 9:30 am

Where:     Police Services Complex             

                7600 Barlowe Road               

                Palmer Park, Maryland

Members of the media are encouraged to attend. For more information, please call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at (301) 772-4710.

PGPD Arrests Three Suspects in College Park Robbery

Samuel Israel Chicas

Benjamin Chicas

Edgar Umberto Hernandez

The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested three suspects in connection with an armed robbery in College Park.

On January 27, 2013, around 3:00 am, police officers responded to the 7400 block of Baltimore Avenue for an armed robbery in progress.  Once on scene, police officers saw three suspects attempting to run away.  Police officers caught all three and arrested them.

The preliminary investigation reveals the three suspects had approached the victim, hitting him with metal knuckles.  The suspects then searched the victim’s pockets and stole a cell phone and wallet.  The victim did suffer injuries to his face and head, and was treated on scene.  The victim is a student at the University of Maryland.

Police officers arrested 17 year-old Samuel Israel Chicas and 15 year-old Benjamin Chicas. Both are from the 5000 block of Oglethorpe Street in Riverdale. The third suspect is 20 year-old Edgar Umberto Hernandez of the 5900 block of Nicholson Street in Riverdale.  Both juveniles are charged as adults, and all three are charged with armed robbery, first degree assault and related charges. They are currently being held at the Department of Corrections on various bond amounts.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s R.I.D. Northern District I R.S.T Unit at (301) 699-2601. 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.

PGPD Honors Officers of the Month

Every day, Prince George’s County police officers work to protect the citizens of our county.  Too often their good works go unnoticed.   Here are the police officers of the month for December. 

District I Police Officer of the Month

Police Officer John Quarless

On December 4, 2012, Police Officer John Quarless spotted a car without headlights.  While trying to conduct a traffic stop, he watched the driver throw out an object from the driver’s side window.  Police Officer Quarless arrested the driver who is a known gang member.  Police Officer Quarless recovered the thrown object, which turned out to be a revolver and ammunition.

Police Officer John Quarless

 District II Police Officer of the Month

Police Officer First Class Harold Nichols

Police Officer First Class Marlon Carey

On December 5, 2012, Police Officers First Class Harold Nichols and Marlon Carey were called to a restaurant on Campus Way South for the report of drug activity.  Once on scene, the police officers spotted two men inside the restaurant.  When those men saw the police officers, they tried to leave the business. The two police officers stopped the men for further investigation. Police Officers Nichols and Carey patted them down.  They recovered a fully loaded weapon from one of the suspects as well suspected marijuana from both of the men.  Both were arrested. During a follow up search inside the restaurant, police officers recovered an additional three large plastic bags with 127 grams of marijuana, having a street value of $2500.

Police Officer First Class Harold Nichols

Police Officer First Class Marlon Carey

                               

District III Police Officer of the Month

Corporal Decatur Thompson

On December 7, 2012, while on routine patrol, Corporal Decatur Thompson stopped a suspicious person, who repeatedly provided him false information.  Corporal Thompson noticed the suspect had several new car jacks and other new merchandise.  The corporal requested that patrol officers check nearby auto parts stores for possible break-ins, though none were discovered. Corporal Thompson did arrest the suspect for making false statements.  Detectives later discovered an Auto Zone store that had been broken into through the roof.  The items found on the suspect had been stolen from that business.

Corporal Decatur Thompson

District IV Police Officer of the Month

Police Officer Justice Halsey

On December 25, 2012, Police Officer Justice Halsey was called to the 5400 block of Livingston Terrace for the report of an apartment burglary.  Police Officer Halsey quickly spotted several of the suspects a few apartment buildings away.  After identifying the victim’s stolen property, Police Officer Halsey arrested three suspects.  A fourth was caught in a stairwell behind the victim’s apartment.  The suspects were wanted in connection to other burglaries as well.

Police Officer Justice Halsey

District V Police Officer of the Month

Police Officer Julius Askins

Police Officer Teresa Murphy

On December 19, 2012, a citizen told Police Officers Julius Askins and Teresa Murphy of a breaking and entering in progress in Clinton.  The citizen also gave the police officers a description of the suspect’s car.  The police officers rushed to the scene and spotted the suspect’s car speeding away.  They pulled it over and saw stolen property in plain view.  The suspects were immediately arrested and were later linked to several other burglaries in the county.

Police Officer Julius Askins

Police Officer Teresa Murphy

District VI Police Officer of the Month

Police Officer First Class Dwight Prophet

Police Officer First Class Andrew Wallman

On December 11, 2012, Police Officers First Class Dwight Prophet and Andrew Wallman were dispatched to Odell Road for the report of gunshots.  Once on scene, the two police officers heard as many as 15 gunshots coming from the back of a residence on Odell Road.  Police Officers First Class Prophet and Wallman quickly alerted a nearby school of the danger and the school was locked down.  They then took up a tactical position between the school and the residence.  Police officers eventually made four arrests.  A handgun and 250 rounds of ammunition were recovered.  The children at the nearby school were unharmed.

Police Officer First Class Dwight Prophet

Police Officer First Class Andrew Wallman

PGPD Arrests Two Suspects in Murder of Marcus Jones

The Prince George's County Police Department arrested two suspects in the murder of 16 year-old Marcus Antonio Jones.  Detectives are actively searching for a third suspect.

Witness accounts and tips into Crime Solvers helped lead detectives to the suspects.  The first suspect is identified as Akil Darnell Ings of the 3800 block of Saint Barnabas Road in Suitland.  The 17 year-old is the suspected gunman.  The second suspect is 19 year-old Kquantae Markies Fisher of the 6100 block of Kildare Court in Fort Washington.  Both are charged with first and second degree murder. Ings is currently in custody in Washington DC, awaiting extradition to Prince George's County.  Fisher is at the Department of Corrections on a no bond status.  Both suspects were prior students at Crossland High School in Camp Springs.

On January 20, 2013, at 12:00 am, police officers were called to the 7700 block of Webster Lane for a shooting.  Upon arrival, police officers found Jones outside suffering from a gunshot wound. He had just left a party at a home on Webster Lane.  The investigation reveals that rival gang members attended that birthday party. As tensions escalated, additional gang members were called to the party.  Ings and Fisher and a yet to be identified third suspect arrived at the party and approached a group standing outside.  Jones was standing with this group. Ings pulled out a gun and shot Jones. It is not known if Jones was the intended target. Police officers have recovered a gun at the scene which is undergoing ballistic testing. 

Ings and Fisher are affiliated with a local gang. Jones was affiliated with a different local gang. Detectives believe these gang associations played a part in this murder.  

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), 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.

PGPD Arrests Suspects in Murder of Marcus Jones

The Prince George’s County Police Department will discuss the murder of 16 year-old Marcus Antonio Jones.  Police Chief Mark Magaw will announce details of two arrests in the case. 

Jones was fatally shot while walking to a car after leaving a home on January 20, 2013.

Who:       Prince George's County Police Chief Mark Magaw

               Major Michael Straughan, Commander, Criminal Investigation Division

When:     TODAY

Time:      4:00 pm

Where:    Police Services Complex

               7600 Barlowe Rd

               Palmer Park, MD

Members of the media are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at (301) 772-4710.

PGPD K-9 Team Recovers Guns and Drugs

A Prince George’s County police officer and his K-9 partner are credited with getting two guns off county streets.  On January 19, 2013, police officers made a traffic stop on Kennebec Street in Oxon Hill.  The police officers smelled marijuana coming from the stopped car.  They called for a K-9 team to assist and were given permission to search the vehicle.   Cpl. Jeffery Walden and his K-9 partner Max arrived on scene.  Max alerted his handler to the glove box area.  Inside that glove box, police officers found two guns and 10 baggies with trace amounts of suspected marijuana.

K-9 Max 

This good police work comes on the heels of the PGPD’s Canine Unit welcoming its newest members.  On January 18, 2013, the unit held a ceremony to honor three graduates from its basic patrol K-9 class. Several of these teams have already recovered weapons and stolen property.  A fourth graduating team is with the Hyattsville City Police Department.

Cpl B. Peters and K-9 Budo

Cpl M. Cicale and K-9 Gamble

PFC J. Kehoe and K-9 Scooby

PFC T. Knox and K-9 Ori

Highlights from Graduation

Cpl Brandon Peters