PGPD to Announce Historic 2013 Crime Reductions

The Prince George’s County Police Department will take part in a news conference touting significant crime reductions in Prince George’s County in 2013.  County Executive Rushern Baker, Police Chief Mark Magaw, Governor Martin O’Malley and other county leaders will discuss the continued drop in the homicide rate, violent crime and other critical categories.

Who:  Rushern Baker, Prince George’s County Executive   

          Mark Magaw, Prince George’s County Police Department Chief

          Martin O’Malley, Maryland Governor            

          Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney

          Melvin High, Prince George's County Sheriff

          Mel Franklin, Prince George’s County Council Chairman

When: Thursday, January 2, 2014

Time:  10:30 am

Where: Wegmans at Woodmore Towne Center

             9001 McHugh Drive

             Lanham, MD

                

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

PGPD Releases Photos of Bank Robbery Suspect

                                                  December 2, 2013                   December 27, 2013

The Prince George’s County Police Department is seeking the community’s help to identify this robbery suspect. For a second time this month, she’s robbed a bank while wearing all pink.  A cash reward is available to the person who helps us arrest and indict this suspect.

On December 27, 2013, at about 5:30 pm, she targeted the Capital One Bank in the 5800 block of Eastern Avenue.  The investigation reveals she passed the teller a note demanding cash.  Fearing for her safety, the teller complied.  The suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of money.  On December 2, 2013, the same suspect targeted the Capital One Bank in the 6200 block of Annapolis Road.  In that case, she also got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspect is described as a black female in her late 20s, approximately 5’8”-5’11”. In both cases, she wore a pink head wrap, a pink coat, and was holding a pink cell phone.

Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to call the CID Robbery Unit at 301-772-4905. Callers can remain anonymous by calling CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You may also text “PGPD plus your tips” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to www.pgpolice.org and submit a tip online. Crime Solvers is offering a CASH REWARD up to $1000 for tips that lead to an arrest and indictment in this case.

PGPD Arrests Suspect in District Heights Homicide

The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested a suspect in the homicide in District Heights this weekend. The suspect is identified as 22-year-old Omar Anthony Smith of the 7100 block of Marbury Court in District Heights.  The victim is identified as 32-year-old Lyndell Lorenzo Sowells of the 7000 block of Marbury Court in District Heights.

On December 28, 2013, at about 9:35 pm, patrol officers were called to the 6700 block of District Heights Parkway for the report of a shooting.  When they arrived on scene, patrol officers found Sowells suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.  He died a short time later at a hospital.

The victim was able to provide a description of the suspect who shot him and the direction he ran.  That critical information was quickly broadcast.  A responding patrol officer saw a man matching that description running along a fence behind some homes in the area.  The officer was able to stop and arrest the suspect, Omar Smith. The officer then retraced Smith’s path and found a black handgun in a fence.  Smith admitted shooting Sowells.  The preliminary investigation reveals the shooting was drug-related.

Smith is charged with first degree murder and is in the custody of the Department of Corrections.

  

Anyone with information 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 www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online.  A reward of up to $25,000 is offered to anyone who provides information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. 

Follow Us on Twitter: @PGPDNews

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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 Brandywine

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal collision in Brandywine. The victim is identified as 44-year-old James Townsend of Cherry Tree Crossing Road in Brandywine.

On December 26, 2013, at about 8:40 pm, patrol officers were called to the intersection of Cherry Tree Crossing Road and Old Indian Head Highway for the report of a single car crash.  The driver, Townsend, was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The preliminary investigation reveals Townsend was heading northbound on Cherry Tree Crossing Road when for reasons which remain unclear, his car left the roadway and struck a tree.  Investigators are looking into whether speed played a factor in this crash.

Anyone with information on this collision 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.

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

PGPD Takes on DEA in Charity Hockey Game

The Prince George’s County Police Department takes pride in working closely with our law enforcement partners.  But tomorrow, we’re hitting pause for a matchup on the ice.  Members of the FOP 89ers ice hockey team will face off against the DEA hockey team in a charity game. The FOP 89ers ice hockey team includes sworn and civilian members of the PGPD.

This friendly contest benefits the FOP Lodge 89 Fallen Heroes Fund.  Members of our community are encouraged to come out and cheer on the FOP 89ers!

Who:  FOP 89ers Ice Hockey Team

          DEA Hockey Team

When: December 28, 2013

Time: 4:00 pm

Where:  Bowie Ice Arena

             3330 Northview Drive

             Bowie, MD

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

PGPD Shuts Down Adult Entertainment Clubs

The Prince George's County Police Department issued violation notices to the tenant and property managers of  Rose Cafe and Puzzles Event Center, ordering the businesses closed on December 20, 2013.  Rose Cafe is located in the 5400 block of Marlboro Pike in Capitol Heights and Puzzles Event Center is located in the 3600 block of Saint Barnabas Road in Temple Hills.  

The businesses have been operating without the required use and occupancy permit.  Both have been issued several violation notices in the past, specifically related to adult entertainment activities.  The violation notices served on December 20, 2013 were issued after investigators confirmed both businesses were continuing to operate as adult entertainment clubs.

Both businesses will remain closed pending the outcome of an appeals hearing.

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

The Grinches Who Stole PGPD Deputy Chief’s Credit Card

Not even police officers are immune from crime. Deputy Chief George Nader unknowingly dropped his newly acquired credit card in a restaurant on Route 1 in Laurel on Friday.  Within an hour of that happening, two scrooges had scooped it up and visited four nearby stores, illegally making charges. Deputy Chief Nader had just gotten the new card after his old card was compromised in the Target credit card breach.

If you recognize either one of these credit card fraud suspects who stole the items in various Laurel stores, please call the PGPD’s Northern Regional Investigative Division at (301) 699-2601. Please refer to case number 13-355-1904.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-TIPS (8477) or text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online. 

PGPD Searches for Critical Missing Girls

Updated December 24, 2013: Both girls have been found in good health and returned home.

Diamond Lynatra Thompson

The Prince George’s County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in searching for two critical missing girls. They are identified as 12-year-old Diamond Lynatra Thompson and 13-year-old Princess Monae Small. Both girls were last seen in the 8200 block of Sheriff Road on December 23, 2013, at about 2:00 pm.

Thompson is described as an African-American female, 5’6”, 120 pounds, with brown eyes. Small is described as an African-American female, 5’4”, 130 pounds, with brown eyes.  Detectives were not able to obtain a photograph of Small.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Regional Investigation Division-Central at (301) 772-4911.

PGPD Investigates Homicide in Upper Marlboro

Ronte Travell Muhyee

Updated December 21, 2013:  The Prince George’s County Police Department has arrested the suspect involved in this murder.  He is identified as 20-year-old Ronte Travell Muhyee, of the 1400 block of Southview Drive in Oxon Hill. 

The deceased victim is identified as 29-year-old Douglas Antonio Romero Argueta, of the unit block of South Frederick Road in Gaithersburg.  The second victim remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

The preliminary investigation reveals Muhyee was involved in a confrontation with several workers in the area.  Muhyee shot Argueta and a second man, before running away.  A witness followed Muhyee, and was able to direct responding officers to his location. 

Patrol officers found and took custody of Muhyee a short distance from the crime scene.  They also recovered the murder weapon. 

Muhyee faces multiple charges related to shooting both men.  He remains in custody at the Department of Corrections.

The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a homicide in Upper Marlboro.

On December 21, 2013, at about 10:15 am, patrol officers were called to the 9600 block of Marlboro Pike for a shooting.  When they arrived on scene, the patrol officers found two men suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.  One of those men was pronounced dead on the scene.  The second victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

The preliminary investigation suggests a confrontation took place between the single suspect and a group of men working in the area.  During the confrontation, the suspect shot the two victims. He then ran away.

Detectives have identified and are questioning a person of interest in this case.

Anyone with information 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 www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online.  A reward of up to $25,000 is offered to anyone who provides information leading 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.