Off-Duty Prince George's County Corporal Discharges Weapon During Dog Attack

A Prince George's County Police corporal shot and wounded a loose dog after the animal tried to attack the officer and his small dog in Fort Washington.   On Thursday, April 5th, around 8:20 am, the corporal was walking his dog, a cocker spaniel, on a leash in the the 11400 block of Gunpowder Drive, when a neighbor opened his garage door.  Our preliminary investigation reveals when the detective crossed the street, he says he heard the neighbor's dog, a cane corso, barking and charging towards him.  The cane corso did not have on a collar and was not on leash.  The officer says he picked up his dog and started to fend off the dog as it tried to bite at his face and tried to grab his dog.  Fearing for his own safety and for the safety of his dog, the officer drew his weapon and discharged one round at the cane corso grazing the dog's back paw.  The dog received medical attention.  Our officer nor his dog were injured.   Our Special Investigative Response Team will handle the investigation into the discharge of the officer's weapon which is standard operating procedure whenever an officer discharges his or her weapon.  Prince George’s County Animal Control has been notified and will launch a separate investigation into the incident.

PGPD Captain Charged with Felony Forgery Charges

This afternoon, Maryland State Police served 52-year-old Prince George's County Police Captain Thomas Hart with a criminal summons.  Hart, a 22-year veteran of the department assigned to the Bureau of Patrol, is charged with two counts of felony forgery and one count of misdemeanor theft.  Hart is accused of forging a signature on a withdrawal check from a joint financial account that he shares with his ex-wife.

Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said, "I am deeply troubled by these serious allegations.  If proven true, they serve to undermine the trust of our community despite the fact that they do not reflect the standards of the institution.  I will act according to the outcome of the investigation to preserve the public trust."

Hart was served by Maryland State Police this afternoon and is now suspended without pay.   

In addition, Captain Hart has also been under investigation by our Internal Affairs Division since January 2nd, 2018, on several unrelated matters.   On April 5th, a separate internal investigation into this incident was launched. We cannot offer further comment because those investigations are ongoing.

Missing Woman Found

Update April 5, 2018: Ms. Smith has been safely located.

                                      Mary Avent Smith                         (Not Actual Vehicle)                                      

The Prince George’s County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in searching for a missing person. She is identified as 80-year-old Mary Avent Smith.

Smith was last seen in 1100 block of Oakdale Drive in Chillum on April 3rd at 1:00 pm.

Smith is described as an African American female, 5’2”, and 130 pounds. She was last seen wearing a beige jacket, pink sweater, blue jeans with black and green shoes.

Smith was seen driving a 1993 light blue Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight with Maryland license plates of 20774HT or FBZ602

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Regional Investigation Division – Northern Region at (301) 699-2601.

WANTED WEDNESDAY

Robbery Suspect

Robbery Unit detectives are asking for the community’s help in identifying this armed robbery suspect. This suspect stole cash from a drugstore in the 5000 block of Silver Hill Road in District Heights on March 31^st. 

Following the robbery, the suspect was seen getting into this car driven by a second suspect. The car is a white four-door sedan.  Detectives can be reached at 301-772-4905 or 1-866-411-TIPS. There is a reward being offered. 

  

 Convenience Store Theft Investigation  

These suspects are wanted for several thefts at a convenience store in Capitol Heights. The thefts occurred at the store on Silver Hill Road between March 27-31^st. The investigation reveals the suspects stole merchandise and then walked out of the store. If you recognize either of these suspects or have information that could help detectives, please call 301-390-2160 or 1-866-411-TIPS. We are offering a cash reward.

Carjacking Suspects

 

Detectives are also working to identify and then arrest these two suspects linked to a carjacking in Oxon Hill.  The victim was targeted on March 31^st at approximately 2:30 pm in the 700 block of Audrey Lane. One of the suspects had a gun. The victim wasn’t hurt. If you have information on this crime, please call detectives at 301-749-5064 or 1-866-411-TIPS. A cash reward is being offered.