PGPD K9 Captures Fleeing Gunman High on PCP During Barricade in Lanham

Othman Conteh

Update July 8, 2013: The suspect is identified as 31-year-old Othman Conteh of the 1800 block of Metzerott Road in Adelphi.

A Prince George's County Police Department K9 apprehended a fleeing gunman who was high on PCP after he threatened a police officer in Lanham during a barricade incident.  The police officer, a member of the Emergency Services Team, discharged his firearm one time at the suspect.  The suspect was not hit.

On July 6, 2013 at approximately 11:30 pm, patrol officers were called to the 9500 block of Wellington Street for a possible burglary in progress.  Patrol officers quickly arrived on scene and discovered the suspect acting erratically while under the influence of PCP, destroying windows from inside the home.  The suspect refused to come outside, prompting the patrol officers to request the assistance of the Special Operations Division’s Conflict Management Team.

Police officers established a perimeter and negotiators worked throughout the night in an effort to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion.  During the negotiations, it was determined the man was alone in the home.  At 8:40 am, the suspect jumped from a rear window armed with a handgun and threatened a member of the Emergency Services Team.  One round was discharged at the gunman.  It did not strike him.  As the gunman jumped fences and continued to flee through this residential community, a PGPD K9, "Rambo", was deployed and quickly captured the gunman as he ran toward a nearby television news crew.  Rambo held on to the gunman’s arm, forcing him to discard his handgun.

The gunman was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries to his arm sustained during the K9 seizure and injuries to his hands sustained while destroying windows at his home.  The K9 seizure was captured on camera by local news crews. Here are two stories from local news stations on the arrest: NBC 4 and ABC 7.

View more videos at: http://nbcwashington.com.

The preliminary investigation reveals the suspect lives at the home. The gunman has provided several false names to the PGPD during the initial stages of this investigation.  He is being treated as a John Doe at the moment, and will soon be presented to a District Court Commissioner as such pursuant to criminal charges of first degree assault on a police officer, carrying a handgun, reckless endangerment, and malicious destruction of property.

The involved officer is a 17-year veteran assigned to the Special Operations Division’s Emergency Services Team.  He is currently on routine administrative leave.  The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Special Investigation Response Team (SIRT) at (301) 856-2660. 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://pgcrimesolvers.com to submit a tip online.