PGPD Investigates Police-Involved Shooting in Suitland

Updated May 31, 2014:  The involved officers are identified as twelve-year veteran Corporal Vincent Tabbs, and four-year veteran Police Officer Andrew Nacin.  Both officers are assigned to the Bureau of Patrol – District IV.  They remain on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Updated May 30, 2014: The deceased suspect is identified as 20-year-old Mark Anthony Blocker of the 3300 block of Curtis Drive in Suitland.

The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a fatal police-involved shooting in Suitland. The Special Investigation Response Team (SIRT) is leading the investigation.

On May 30, 2014, at approximately 2:15 am, patrol officers were called to the 3300 block of Curtis Drive for the report of two men arguing. A 911 caller reported seeing one of those men holding a long gun. 

After arriving on the scene, two patrol officers cautiously approached the two men and used the corner of an apartment building as cover. The officers saw that one of the men was carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle. The officers ordered the armed man to drop the weapon, but he did not comply. Both officers, in fear for their lives, were forced to discharge their weapons, striking the armed suspect. The suspect was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The weapons in the above photographs were recovered from the scene. The rifle was recovered from the deceased suspect. The handgun was recovered from the second male. He was not hurt. It has since been determined that both weapons are pellet guns. Pellet guns such as the ones recovered today in Suitland are often manufactured to look as realistic as possible.

Both officers are on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Neither officer was injured.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Special Investigative Response Team 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 www.pgcrimesolvers.com and sumbit a tip online.

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

WANTED WEDNESDAY

Suspect Robs Market

Robbery detectives want to find this suspect who literally helped himself to a cash register full of money. The armed suspect robbed a market on Edgewood Road in College Park on May 21, 2014 at about 1:30 pm.  If you know who he is, please call 301-772-4905 or Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.

Big Box Store Shoplifting Suspect 

Detectives are also looking for this suspect. Our investigation shows he stole from a big box store in the 6200 block of Annapolis Road in Landover Hills back on April 30, 2014. If you know how we can find him, please call 301-699-2601 or Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. You won’t have to give your name and could get reward money.

Burglary Suspects

We know that this picture of two suspects doesn’t show their faces, but hopefully someone still knows their identity. Our investigation reveals this man and woman broke into a home in the 5200 block of 59^th Avenue in Riverdale. They are seen walking away—carrying items taken from the home. If you have any information that could help detectives, please call 301-699-2601.

Convenience Store Robbery Suspects

Our robbery detectives are looking for the four suspects in the above surveillance photos. They robbed a convenience store on May 26, 2014, in the 6000 block of Arbor Street in Cheverly.  The suspects stole cash and drove away in possibly a Honda Civic or Accord.

PGPD Hosting K9 Graduation

Two K9 Graduates Served in Afghanistan

The Special Operations Division is hosting a graduation ceremony for its K9 unit this Friday. The graduates completed eight weeks of rigorous training focused on bomb detection. Two of the graduates are new additions to the PGPD.  K9s Razz and Ringo are also military veterans. They served tours of duty in Afghanistan with the US Marine Corps.

Ringo

Razz

Members of the media are welcome to attend.  Following the graduation ceremony, the new graduates will test their skills by running through three demonstrations set up outside of SOD.

In addition to three PGPD K9s and their handlers graduating, the list of graduates also includes two Maryland-National Capital Park police officers and K9s and one Prince George’s County Office of the Fire Marshal investigator and K9.  

When: Friday, May 30, 2014

Time: 11:00 am

Where: Special Operations Division

             6700 Riverdale Road

             Riverdale, MD

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

Media Advisory: PGPD to Revisit Suitland Community in Murder Investigation

Detectives Also Release Video of Potential Witnesses

Prince George’s County Police detectives will revisit the Suitland community where a man was shot and killed late last month. They will pass out Crime Solvers flyers seeking information in the murder of 27-year-old Maurice Featherson of Northeast Washington. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.

In addition to the canvass, detectives today released this video of four potential witnesses to the murder. We are seeking our community’s help in identifying them. Detectives believe these four people may have critical information in this case.

Here are the details of today’s canvass:

When: TODAY: Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Time: 1:00 pm  

Where: 3300 block of Curtis Drive

             Suitland, MD

On April 25, 2014, at about 7:30 pm, patrol officers were called to the 3300 block of Curtis Drive for the report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found Featherson suffering from a gunshot wound outside in a parking lot. He later died of his injuries. Preliminarily, detectives do not believe this was a random shooting.

Anyone with information about this murder 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.comand submit a tip online.

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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 Pedestrian Hit-and-Run

The Prince George's County Police Department's Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a now fatal pedestrian hit-and-run in Hyattsville. The collision happened on May 18, 2014. The victim died of his injuries today. He's identified as 42-year-old Rosendo Mendez of New Riggs Road in Hyattsville.

The preliminary investigation reveals that shortly before 1:00 am, Mendez tried to cross University Boulevard near 15th Avenue. When he stepped off the median strip, a car heading westbound on University Boulevard struck him. Mendez was not in a crosswalk. The car did not stop.

The striking car is described as a medium-sized sedan. Investigators would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed this collision or has any information on this case.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to call the CARU at (301) 731-4422 or (301) 306-5644. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or text "PGPD plus your message" to CRIMES (274637) from your cell phone. You may also submit a tip online at: https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=266

PGPD Investigates Fatal Collision in Forestville

The Prince George's County Police Department's Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal collision in Forestville.  The victim is identified as 60-year-old Paul Poston of the 11400 block of Capstan Drive in Upper Marlboro.

On May 24, 2014, at about 1:40 am, patrol officers were called to the 8000 block of Cryden Way for a crash involving a motorcycle.

The preliminary investigation suggests Poston lost control of the motorcycle as he exited a parking lot.  He crossed Cryden Way and struck a brick wall and iron handrail.

Poston was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on May 26, 2014.

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 cellphone, 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 Releases Photos of Bank Robbery Suspect

The Prince George’s County Police Department is asking for the community’s help in identifying this suspect.  He is wanted for a bank robbery in Bowie.

On May 23, 2014, shortly after 12:00 pm, the suspect walked into a bank in the 4300 block of Collington Road.  He approached a teller and demanded cash after implying he had a weapon.  The teller complied.  The suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of money.

Detectives believe the suspect is an African American man, dressed as a woman.

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 message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com 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.

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

PGPD to Hold Car Seat Check in Glenn Dale

Please mark your calendars. The Prince George’s County Police Department and the Prince George’s Community Federal Credit Union will hold a car seat check in Glenn Dale on Thursday, June 5, 2014. The event is free and open to the public.

Certified car seat technicians will ensure that car seats and boosters are properly installed. All car seats must be installed upon arrival. Appointments are not necessary. Each car seat check takes about 30 minutes. If possible, please bring the manufacturer’s manuals for the vehicle and car seat.

Who:        Prince George’s County Police Department

                 Prince George’s Community Federal Credit Union

                 Maryland Kids in Safety Seats (KISS)

When:      Thursday, June 5, 2014

Time:       2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Where:     Glenn Dale Volunteer Fire Department

                 11900 Glenn Dale Boulevard

                 Glenn Dale, MD

              

We’re also hosting these child car seat checks on the first Thursday of each month. The monthly event will move to different locations throughout the county.

Laurel Volunteer Fire Department	July 3, 2014
Croom Volunteer Fire Department	August 7, 2014
Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire Department	September 4, 2014
Glenn Dale Volunteer Fire Department	October 2, 2014
Laurel Volunteer Fire Department	November 6, 2014
Croom Volunteer Fire Department	December 4, 2014

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

PGPD Remembers Fallen Military Hero Corporal Robert Hernandez

On Memorial Day, we pause to honor and pay tribute to the sacrifice that so many men and women have made while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  While those across the country take time to remember our fallen heroes this Memorial Day, the Prince George’s County Police Department will be doing the same.

Our very own Corporal Robert Hernandez was killed in 2006 while serving in Iraq. A Staff Sergeant with the US Army, Robert Hernandez was killed in Al Taquaddum, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations.  He is the only member of the PGPD to be killed in combat while serving our nation.

Cpl. Hernandez served the Prince George’s County Police Department for ten years and was assigned to District II prior to his deployment.  He was 47 years old at the time of his death, and is survived by his fiancee and three children.