PGPD Investigating Fatal Collision

 The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that took place Friday morning in Landover. Investigators are working to identify the deceased passenger so his family can be notified.

On September 18, 2026, at approximately 2:30 am, officers responded to the area of Landover Road and Kent Town Drive. Once on scene, they located the decedent in the roadway. He had been ejected from the car and died at the scene. The driver and three additional passengers were taken to the hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

The preliminary investigation revealed the vehicle was traveling southbound on Landover Road, when for reasons now under investigation, the driver lost control and ultimately struck a light pole.

As always, investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has dash camera or home surveillance footage that may have captured the incident to contact the Prince George’s County Police Department. Even if you believe your footage may not be significant, it could provide valuable information to assist investigators.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit at 301-731-4422. Please refer to case number 26-0049726.

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PGPD Identifies and Charges Two Suspects in Connection to Fatal Shooting

 

Oscar Valladares Romero

Junior Villatoro Mejia

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit charged two suspects in connection to a fatal shooting earlier this month. The suspects are 26-year-old Oscar Valladares Romero of Hyattsville and 23-year-old Junior Villatoro Mejia of Washington, DC. They are charged with the murder of 33-year-old Brian Vasquez Rodriguez of Adelphi.

On September 6, 2026, at approximately 4:15 am, officers responded to the 2200 block of Lewisdale Drive in the unincorporated section of Hyattsville for a report of a shooting. Once on scene, officers located the victim inside the driver’s seat of his vehicle suffering from gunshot wound(s). Despite life-saving measures, he died at the scene.

With the assistance of the PGPD’s Emergency Services Team, Homicide Unit detectives arrested Valladares Romero on September 16, 2026. Villatoro Mejia was taken into custody in Fairfax on September 17, 2026, by the PGPD’s Fugitive Unit, which is part of the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. He remains in Virginia and is awaiting extradition to Prince George’s County.

 

At this time, there is no indication the suspects and victim were known to each other. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation.

Valladares Romero and Villatoro Mejia are both charged with first and second degree murder and related charges. Valladares Romero is in the custody of the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections on a no-bond status.

If you have information and would like to speak to a Homicide Unit detective, please call 301-516-2512. Please refer to case number 26-0047521.

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PGPD Charges Suspect in Connection With 1993 Murder of George “Junior” Burdynski

 

 

     Joseph Lynch 2026   Joseph Lynch 2006   Joseph Lynch 1993

On Wednesday, the Prince George’s County Police Department charged a suspect in connection with the murder of 10-year-old George Burdynski, Jr., affectionately known as “Junior”, 33 years after he disappeared in his Brentwood neighborhood. The suspect is 61-year-old Joseph Lynch who lived in Junior’s neighborhood at the time of his disappearance and murder in 1993.  

Junior Burdynski

Junior Burdynski was last seen on May 24,1993, riding his bicycle in his neighborhood. His disappearance sparked a massive investigation involving both the Prince George’s County Police Department and our federal law enforcement partners. Separately, the investigation into Junior’s disappearance led to the arrest of Joseph Lynch, Stephen Bruce Leak, and James Kowalski, who were charged with sexually assaulting multiple boys in Mount Rainier, Brentwood and Hyattsville in 1993. Joseph Lynch was sentenced in those cases began in 1994 and he was released in 2006.

 

In the years following Junior’s disappearance, multiple PGPD detectives continued to work to find answers for his family. Investigators would reexamine evidence or pursue new information in the case. Earlier in 2026, the PGPD charged Lynch with sexually abusing two teenage boys multiple times from 2007 to 2014 at a home in Mount Rainier. Both of the victims were known to Lynch. Lynch remains in custody in connection with those assaults and a 2012 arson.

 

The investigation into these new sexual assault charges led two dedicated Cold Case Unit detectives to speak to a now 47-year-old man who was 13 years old when Junior disappeared in 1993. He lived in Junior’s neighborhood at the time. During the interview, the man admitted to having been in a home with Junior and Joseph Lynch the very day Junior disappeared. The man told detectives Lynch ordered him to sexually assault Junior while the three of them were in the same room. During that assault, Junior was killed. Junior’s body has never been recovered.

 

The PGPD presented its investigation to the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for consideration of charges in this case. Lynch is now charged with 2^nd Degree Murder, 2^nd Degree Rape, 2^nd Degree Sex offense, and 3^rd Degree Sex Offense of Junior Burdynski. At this time, only Lynch is charged in connection with Junior’s murder.

 

Detectives strongly believe Joseph Lynch sexually assaulted other victims either in the 1990s or after his release from jail in 2006. If you believe you were victimized or have information relevant to this case, we want to hear from you. You are asked to call detectives at 301-772-4930. 

 

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PGPD Investigating Fatal Shooting in Adelphi

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Tuesday evening in Adelphi. The victim is 31-year-old Jose Sermeno Gomez of Bryantown.
 
On September 15, 2026, at approximately 10:45 pm, officers responded to the 9300 block of 19th Avenue for a shooting. Officers located Sermeno Gomez outside, suffering from gunshot wound(s). He was taken to a hospital where he died a short time later.
 
Investigators are working to identify the suspect(s) and determine a motive.
 
If you have information and would like to speak to a Homicide Unit detective, please call 301-516-2512. Please refer to case number 26-0049351.
 
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