Chief Magaw Unveils PGPD’s New Cruisers

Prince George’s County Police Chief Mark Magaw today proudly unveiled the new PGPD cruiser.  The color scheme, the make and model, the technology – it all speaks to the future of this department.  The last time our cruisers got a minimal makeover was in 1997. 

Chief Magaw approached County Executive Baker about the need to replace the department’s aging fleet when he first became interim Chief, most importantly for the safety of our patrol officers.  County Executive Baker immediately agreed.

This new cruiser has been more than a year in the making, when a team from the PGPD traveled to Detroit and Indiana to check out several makes and models and ultimately chose the Ford Interceptor.  One unique feature:  each cruiser will display the department’s Twitter handle - @PGPDNews.  It’s part of Chief Magaw’s commitment to transparency and community outreach. 

As of today, we’ll have 24 of the new cruisers out on the streets, with a total of 75 coming in this order.

Please take a moment and listen to Chief Mark Magaw talk about these exciting and welcome additions to the PGPD.

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

Chief Mark Magaw to Participate in Global Tweet-a-Thon

The Prince George’s County Police Department will once again join our law enforcement partners from around the world in the Global Tweet-a-thon this week. Chief Mark Magaw will kick off the event for the PGPD, taking questions live on Twitter and answering them in real time.

At the first Global Tweet-a-thon earlier this year, more than 200 law enforcement agencies on several continents took part. We trended from as far away as New Zealand and Australia and across Europe. The goal is to reach even more corners of the Earth this Friday, November 1, 2013.

The PGPD will begin tweeting in the early afternoon and will run most of the day and night, highlighting the too often unnoticed good works of our police officers. Follow @PGPDNews and use the hashtag #POLTWT (short for police tweet) to join the conversation.

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at (301) 772-4710.

Media Advisory: Chief Magaw to Unveil PGPD's New Cruiser

Prince George’s County Police Chief Mark Magaw will proudly unveil our new cruisers this Thursday.  The cruisers feature an all new color scheme and have been more than a year in the works.  The last time our cruisers got a makeover was in the late 1990s.Members of the media are encouraged to join us for this exciting roll out! 
 Who:  Prince George's County Police Chief Mark Magaw

Time: 9:30 - 10:00 am

When:  Thursday, October 31, 2013

Where:  FedEx Field Parking Lot

            Hill Oaks Rd & Fedex Way

            Landover, MD

PGPD Investigates Fatal Collision in Clinton

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal single-car collision in Clinton.  The victim is identified as 46-year-old Robert Edward Farrell of the 9800 block of Marlboro Pike in Upper Marlboro.

On October 29, 2013, at about 11:00 pm, patrol officers were called to the intersection of Schultz Road and Coventry Way for the report of a collision.  Upon arrival, patrol officers discovered an overturned truck off the roadway.  Farrell, the driver of the truck, was pronounced dead on the scene.

The preliminary investigation reveals the truck was heading northbound on Schultz Road when Farrell, for reasons which remain unclear, appears to have lost control.  The truck left the roadway and rolled over onto its roof. 

Preliminarily, speed appears to be a factor in this crash. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit at (301) 306-5640. 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 www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online.

Follow Us on Twitter: @PGPDNews

Facebook: PGPDNews1

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

Media Advisory: PGPD to Canvass Chillum Community in Sexual Assaults Investigation

Prince George’s County Police detectives will canvas a Chillum community this afternoon to pass out Crime Solvers flyers regarding the sexual assaults of two females by the same suspect.  Detectives continue to follow leads and solidify information in these cases and hope to gain new information from neighbors.

Detectives will concentrate their efforts in the 6700 block of Belcrest Road, close to where the two assaults occurred.  On October 29, 2013, at about 1:15 pm, a man assaulted a woman in the wooded area behind the neighborhood.  A short time later and less than 100 yards away, the same suspect assaulted another female.

The suspect is described to be a Hispanic male, approximately 30 years old, 5’6” to 5’10”, with a slim build.  He was last seen wearing camouflage pants and a red baseball cap with black or blue brim.

Anyone with information is urged to call the CID Sexual Assault Unit at (301) 772-4908. Callers can remain anonymous by calling CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You may also text “PGPD plus your tips” to CRIMES (274537) on your cell phone or go www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online. Crime Solvers is offering a CASH REWARD for tips that lead to an arrest and indictment in this case.

Who:  Prince George’s County Police Department CID/Sexual Assault Unit detectives

When: TODAY: Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Time:  1:30 pm

Where: 6700 block of Belcrest Road

            Chillum, MD

Follow Us on Twitter: @PGPDNews

Facebook: PGPDNews1

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

Tips For Staying Safe This Halloween

It’s Trick-or-Treat time!  To help parents and children in our community have an enjoyable Halloween, we offer the following safety tips:

For Trick-or-Treaters and Parents:

• Wear a costume that makes it easy for you to walk in and to be seen in.
• An adult should always accompany smaller children.
• Older children should travel in groups.
• Know the route your child intends to take, and set a time that they should return home.
• Carry a flashlight and make sure that some sort of reflective material is incorporated into the costume.
• Utilize sidewalks when available and try to stay in well-lit areas. Never dart out between parked cars. Always cross at corners and crosswalks.
• An outside light on front of a house is usually a sign that trick-or-treaters are welcome. Avoid going to houses that are not lit.

For Drivers:

• Drive slowly! Be aware that young trick-or-treaters may dart out from between parked cars.
• Do not drive a vehicle while wearing a mask of any sort. Your visibility could be obscured.
• Stop at all crosswalks.

We hope your Halloween is both enjoyable and safe. 

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

PGPD Investigates Sexual Assaults

The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating two separate sexual assaults committed by the same suspect near Chillum.

On October 29, 2013, at about 1:15 pm, a man approached two women in the 6700 block of Belcrest Road. The suspect pulled out a handgun and forced the women into a nearby wooded area. The suspect demanded property from the women and then sexually assaulted one of them. During the assault, the suspect was startled and ran away.

A short time later and less than 100 yards away, the same suspect approached two males and one female. He again pulled out a handgun and demanded property from the victims. The suspect then sexually assaulted the female victim and then ran away. 

Patrol officers, assisted by a police helicopter and several K9 teams, began an intense search for the suspect. The suspect currently remains at large and is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 30 years old, 5’6” to 5’10”, with a slim build.  He was last seen wearing camouflage pants and a red baseball cap with black or blue brim.

Anyone with information is urged to call the CID Sexual Assault Unit at (301) 772-4908. Callers can remain anonymous by calling CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You may also text “PGPD plus your tips” to CRIMES (274537) on your cell phone or go www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online. Crime Solvers is offering a CASH REWARD for tips that lead to an arrest and indictment in this case.

Follow Us on Twitter: @PGPDNews

Facebook: PGPDNews1

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

PGPD Investigates Fatal Collision In Upper Marlboro

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal collision in Upper Marlboro.  The victim is identified as 17-year-old Alex Edward Cole of Derby Manor Lane in Upper Marlboro. 

On October 28, 2013, at about 7:10 pm, patrol officers were called to the 2800 block of Ritchie Marlboro Road for the report of a collision. When they arrived, they discovered two cars had been involved in the crash.  Cole was a passenger in one of the cars.  He was pronounced dead on the scene.

The preliminary investigation reveals the Hyundai that Cole was riding in was heading southbound on Ritchie Marlboro Road.  For reasons which remain unclear, the driver crossed into the northbound lane and struck a second car. The driver of the Hyundai and two additional passengers suffered non-life threatening injuries.  The driver of the second car also suffered non-life threatening injuries.  

Preliminarily, speed appears to be a factor in this crash.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit at (301) 306-5640. 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 www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online.

Follow Us on Twitter: @PGPDNews

Facebook: PGPDNews1

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

PGPD Remembers Fallen K9 Pilgrim

The Prince George's County Police Department today is honoring our fallen K9 hero "Pilgrim" lost this day in 1988 while tracking theft suspects.

On October 28, 1988, at about 1:30 am, Corporal Charles Smith and his K9 partner responded to Baltimore Avenue near Contee Road to assist patrol officers with a search for three suspects wanted for bailing out of a stolen car.  The suspects were last seen running into a wooded area near the intersection. Corporal Smith and Pilgrim tracked the suspects into the wooded area.  Moments later, one of the suspects jumped out of hiding and began running to a nearby ravine. Pilgrim ran after the suspect at which point he was separated from Corporal Smith.  Corporal Smith immediately began searching for his K9 partner.  When Pilgrim wasn't found, a massive, multi-jurisdictional search was launched. Several hours later when daylight broke, a police helicopter spotted Pilgrim's remains on a nearby railroad track.  He had been struck and killed by a train while pursuing the suspect.

Pilgrim served the department for more than three years.  He was the second K9 member of this agency to give his life in the line of duty.  During his career, Pilgrim and his handler received 18 letters of commendation and were responsible for 87 criminal apprehensions.  At the time of his death, Pilgrim was five years old.

PGPD Charges Three Suspects in Murder of Jesse Chavez

Deandre Weems

Rinaldo Savon Washington

Kimfrey Williams

One week after 27 year old Jesse Chavez was fatally shot during a robbery at an Oxon Hill hotel, three suspects are now in custody and charged with the murder. 

The suspects, all from Southeast Washington, are identified as 20-year-old Deandre Weems, of the 4200 block of 6^th Street, 18-year-old Rinaldo Savon Washington, of the 1100 block of Barnaby Terrace and 23-year-old Kimfrey Williams, of the 5300 block of C Street.

Court documents state on October 21, 2013, at about 10:00 pm, Weems walked into an Oxon Hill hotel, pulled out a gun and demanded cash from an employee.  The employee complied.  Moments later, Chavez approached Weems, the two struggled and Weems shot Chavez.  Weems then ran to a car and fled in a dark-colored Toyota Camry.  Investigators believe Williams drove the car, and Washington acted as a lookout during the robbery.

The Prince George’s County Police Department quickly posted surveillance video and photos on our social media sites and asked for the public’s help in identifying the shooter.  Our community and media outlets pitched in, spreading the word online and on air. A tipster who saw that video then contacted Crime Solvers and anonymously provided the information detectives needed to close the case. Using the tipster’s information, detectives were able to identify Weems as the shooter.  Investigative developments then led to the identification of Washington and Williams.  That person is now eligible for up to $25,000 in reward money.

Detectives recovered the handgun used in the murder during a search of Weems’ home.  The torched getaway car, which was stolen, was also recovered in Washington, D.C. on October 24, 2013.

All of the suspects are in custody.  Williams and Washington are in Prince George's County.  Weems remains in custody in the District of Columbia, awaiting extradition.  The investigation is ongoing.  These suspects are believed to be responsible for additional robberies in Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C.

Follow Us on Twitter: @PGPDNews

Facebook: PGPDNews1

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

PGPD to Announce Arrests in Murder of Jesse Chavez

The Prince George's County Police Department will announce the arrest of three suspects in connection with the murder of 27-year-old Jesse Chavez. Chavez was killed during a robbery at the Clarion Hotel in Oxon Hill on Monday, October 21, 2013.

Who:    Julie Parker, Media Relations Division Director


            Captain George Nichols, Assistant Commander, CID


When:  Monday, October 28, 2013


Time:   11:00 am


Where: Police Services Complex 


            7600 Barlowe Road


            Palmer Park, MD


For more information, please contact the Prince George's County Police Department's Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

PGPD Remembers Fallen Officer Lieutenant Roger Fleming

Let us pause to remember our fallen hero Lieutenant Roger P. Fleming, lost this day in 1992 while pursuing a suspect.

Lieutenant Fleming was born on May 15, 1956, in Laurel.  He joined the Prince George's County Police Department in October of 1974.  He was later promoted to rank of sergeant and assigned to the Hyattsville station.

Shortly after midnight on October 27, 1992, Lieutenant Fleming initiated a traffic stop on Kenilworth Avenue near Westchester Park Drive in College Park.  Instead of stopping, the driver sped away and Lieutenant Fleming began a pursuit.  As the pursuit continued to the Baltimore- Washington Parkway, the suspect headed for the exit ramp to New York Avenue.  The suspect then suddenly crossed over the grass median back on the BW Parkway.  When Lieutenant Fleming attempted the same maneuver, he hit a curb and lost control. His cruiser then hit a tree.  Lieutenant Fleming died from his injuries.  

Lieutenant Fleming served the Prince George's County Police Department for 18 years and was the 19th member of this agency to make the ultimate sacrifice.  He was the 30th law enforcement officer to give his life in service to this profession within Prince George's County.

At the time of his death, Lieutenant Fleming was 36 years old and survived by his wife and two young daughters.