PGPD Provides Update on Critical Missing Man

On December 28, 2012 at 10:00 pm, police officers found the 2013 black Ford Escape in a parking lot near Route 197 and Route 450.  Scherr was unresponsive inside the vehicle, and pronounced dead on scene.  Detectives are investigating the death as a suicide.

David Johnathan Scherr

The Prince George’s County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a critical missing person identified as 20 year-old David Johnathan Scherr.  He was last seen at 2:00 pm on December 19, 2012, near the University of Maryland campus in College Park.  Scherr may be driving a black 2013 Ford Escape with Maryland tags 3AX4875.  

Scherr was last seen wearing a purple Ravens shirt and white plaid shorts.

Anyone with information on David Scherr's whereabouts is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s District I Investigative Section at (301) 699-2601.

PGPD Investigates Murder in Capitol Heights

The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a murder in Capitol Heights.  The victim is identified as 21 year-old Nichols Andrew Battle of the 100 block of West Mill Road in Capitol Heights.

On December 27, 2012 at 6:54 am, police officers responded to Pepper Mill Drive and Drylog Street in Capitol Heights for a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, police officers discovered Battle suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Detectives are working to identify the suspect(s) and motive in this case.

Anyone with information about this case 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 http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/police/ and submit at tip online.

PGPD Inspector General Carlos Acosta Speaks at International Criminal Law Program

Prince George's County Police Department Inspector General Carlos Acosta was a featured presenter for Argentina's Universidad Nacional de La Plata's Information Technology and Economic Criminal Law Program's Post-Graduate course entitled "Security, Justice and Technology."  The event took place December 5, 2012. 

IG Acosta, part of a presenting team of international specialists, discussed how PGPD, in league with federal agencies and as part of public/private collaborations, uses science and technology to successfully close criminal cases and bring perpetrators to justice.  Specifically, IG Acosta outlined the IT forensic resources PGPD has dedicated to this mission.  Additionally, he outlined specific cases involving the FBI and PGPD working in a task force setting, as well as an ongoing project between CARFAX and the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) to fight car theft both in the mid-Atlantic region as well as internationally. 

Deputy Chief Henry P. Stawinski (PGPD’s Bureau of Forensic Science & Intelligence) commented on this intercontinental collaboration: "Mr. Acosta and the PGPD are engaging the international community concerning a new model of policing that is emerging a decade after September 11, 2001. The emphasis in Prince George's County is on structures and collaboration. Law Enforcement at every level must build structures that value and capitalize on information and ensure that it is shared in active dialog. Where common issues are identified among agencies as a result of that dialog, collaboration combines resources and provides a foundation for effective enforcement."

Happy Holidays from the PGPD

The Prince George’s County Police Department would like to wish our community a Merry Christmas.  Over the last 12 days, we’ve put out safety tips.  Please take a moment and review them all—many are important to keep in mind year round.

12 days til Christmas safety tip: When shopping online, stick with reputable vendors. Make sure the web address starts with https:

11 days til Christmas safety tip:  While out holiday shopping, make only 1 trip to your car w/ your purchases.  Or hide them in your car.

10 days til Christmas safety tip: Tis the season for parties. Don’t drink and drive.

9 days til Christmas safety tip:  If leaving town, stop your mail or ask a neighbor to pick it up. Newspapers and packages too.

8 days til Christmas safety tip:  Ask #pgpd to conduct an area check around your home if you’re heading out of town.

7 days til Christmas safety tip:  When you’re done shopping, carry your keys in your hand to quickly unlock your car door.

6 days til Christmas safety tip:  Don’t advertise your holiday travel plans on social media sites. That info attracts criminals.

5 days til Christmas safety tip:  Just in case, remember undisturbed snow often means no one is home.  Ask a neighbor to help shovel if you’re out of town.

4 days til Christmas safety tip:  Keep purses close by while in a store. Never leave them in a shopping cart or car.

3 days til Christmas safety tip:  Drive safely to your holiday destinations. #PGPD is always on the lookout for aggressive drivers.

2 days til Christmas safety tip:  Don’t post pictures of your new gifts. You never know who is online looking for a target.

1 day til Christmas safety tip:    After you’ve opened your presents, discreetly discard the packaging to reduce the chance of being burglarized.

Happy holidays!

PGPD Investigates Murder in Oxon Hill

Prince George’s County homicide detectives are investigating a murder in Oxon Hill.  The victim is identified as 31 year-old Jearmar Oswald Lee of the 700 block of Neptune Avenue in Oxon Hill.

On December 20, 2012, at 10:05 pm, police officers responded to the 700 block of Neptune Avenue for a shooting.  Upon arrival, police officers discovered Lee suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.  He was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Detectives are working to identify the suspect(s) and motive in this case.

Anyone with information about this case 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 http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/police/ and  submit a tip online.

PGPD Honors Police Officers of the Month for November.

Prince George’s County police officers work around the clock to protect and serve county citizens. Good police work is done daily but often without widespread recognition.  We would like to introduce the Police Officers of the Month for November 2012.

District I Police Officer of the Month

November 2012

Police Officer Patrick Biggs 

On November 11, 2012, Police Officer Patrick Biggs was engaged in the department’s “Take 30 for Traffic” enforcement strategy in the Chillum area.  He made a traffic stop on a gold Toyota in the 800 Block of Ray Road in Hyattsville. Police Officer Biggs discovered that the driver’s license was suspended and he also had an open warrant for failing to appear in court for an earlier traffic charge. The police officer arrested the driver and recovered more than a pound of marijuana, as well as other drugs and drug paraphernalia.  The street value for the recovered drugs is more than $10,000.

Police Officer Patrick Biggs

District II Police Officer of the Month

November 2012

Police Officer Stephen Rice 

On November 18, 2012, Police Officer Stephen Rice was dispatched to the 9400 block of Largo Drive West in Largo for a fight call. Upon arrival, Police Officer Rice heard a single gunshot coming from the area of Zachary Street. He went to investigate and spotted a Buick Le Sabre driving away from the area.  Police Officer Rice suspected that the car’s passengers may be connected to the gunshot sound. He then spotted the same car stopped on Lottsford Road. He saw one of the passengers running back toward the car from a nearby wooded area.  Police Officer Rice turned on his lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop.  Once back up arrived, police officers searched the woods and recovered a handgun.  Three of the passengers told police officers the gun belonged to the male suspect who had been spotted running back to the car.  That suspect was arrested.  Thanks to Police Officer Rice’s good police instincts, he arrested an armed suspect and took a gun off the streets of Prince George’s County.

Police Officer Stephen Rice

                              

District III Police Officer of the Month

November 2012

Police Officer Timothy Hancock

Police Officer Terrell Brooks

Police Officer Thomas Anderson

On November 1, 2012, Police Officers Timothy Hancock, Terrell Brooks and Thomas Anderson spotted two suspicious people walking on Burnside Road wearing face masks. The police officers conducted an investigatory stop at which time one admitted he was carrying a BB gun.  During a pat down, police officers found a wallet with an ID not belonging to the suspect. The police officers called for robbery detectives who went to the address listed on the recovered driver’s license.  It was learned that the driver’s license owner was working at the 7-11 at Belle Haven Drive and Sheriff Road.   At the same time, a call came in for an armed robbery at the same 7-11. The two suspects were positively identified in connection with the robbery. They were both arrested.

Police Officer Terrell Brooks

Police Officer Thomas Anderson

Police Officer Timothy Hancock

District IV Police Officer of the Month

November 2012

Police Officer Christopher Rothenberger

Police Officer Christopher Rothenberger stopped several suspicious people loitering behind the Comfort Inn in the  6300 block of Oxon Hill Road.   The suspects tried to hide, but Police Officer Rothenberger stopped them for further investigation. During the stop, a bag of marijuana was found on one of the suspects as well has several hundred dollars in cash.  Police Officer Rothenberger learned that the suspect was staying at the motel with his girlfriend. The police officer was given consent to search the motel room where he found two guns, crack cocaine, more marijuana and drug paraphernalia.  Police Officer Rothenberger then returned to the original location where he first spotted the suspects and found Ecstasy and more marijuana.   Thanks to Police Officer Rothenberger’s diligence, a considerable amount of drugs and two handguns are off county streets.

Police Officer Christopher Rothenberger 

District V Police Officer of the Month

November 2012

Police Officer First Class Jonothon Osborne 

On November 20, 2012, Police Officer First Class Jonothon Osborne was on patrol in Clinton when he saw a Chevrolet Tahoe in the 8900 block of Woodyard Road.  Police Officer First Class Osborne conducted a traffic stop, during which he recovered multiple baggies of suspected marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. Police Officer First Class Osborne’s sound police techniques took drugs off the streets.

Police Officer First Class Jonothon Osborne

District VI Police Officer of the Month

November 2012

Police Officer Michael Velasquez

On November 27, 2012, Police Officer Michael Velasquez stopped a car for an equipment violation in the 3400 block of Powder Mill Road in Beltsville.  The police officer was taking part in the “Take 30 for Traffic” initiative at the time.  While speaking to the driver, Police Officer Velasquez smelled a strong odor of marijuana.  The driver admitted that he had been smoking inside the car about an hour before the stop.  Police Officer Velasquez was given consent to search the car, where he recovered 69 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The driver was arrested along with one of the passengers who had an open warrant for driving an uninsured vehicle.

Police Officer Michael Velasquez

PGPD Announces 35% Drop in Homicide Rate, Overall Crime Down

The Prince George’s County Police Department recorded a 35% reduction in the homicide rate in 2012.  That is the largest drop the County has seen since the PGPD began tracking homicides in 1972.

Prince George’s County Police Chief Mark Magaw welcomed County Executive Rushern Baker as well as other local, state and federal partners to headquarters for the announcement today.   “We are down, in some cases by double digits, in every violent crime and property crime category,” said Chief Magaw. “We are eager to expand upon these successes in 2013.”

The PGPD recorded an overall violent crime reduction of 7.6%, overall property crime is down 7.1% and the overall crime rate is also down by 7.1%.  Fatal motor vehicles crashes dropped 29% in 2012.

The county’s Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative is credited with helping drive down crime. The ongoing initiative ensures that those in our community in the greatest need of government attention get the resources and support they need.

Portion of press conference featuring Chief Magaw and County Executive Baker

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

PGPD Investigates Murder in Seat Pleasant

Prince George’s County homicide detectives are investigating a murder in Seat Pleasant. The victim is identified as 25 year-old Nicoh Mayhew, of the 6800 block of Seat Pleasant Drive.

On December 19, 2012, at around 10:00 am, police officers from the Seat Pleasant Police Department responded to the 6800 block of Seat Pleasant Drive for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, police officers discovered two victims, Mayhew and a young child, both suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.  Mayhew was pronounced dead on scene.  The two year-old boy was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

The preliminary investigation suggests two male suspects targeted the adult victim.  The suspects fired several shots and then fled in a black four-door BMW with tinted windows, with unknown Maryland tags.

Detectives are working to identify the suspect(s) and motive in this case.

Anyone with information about this case 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 http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/police/ and  submit a tip online.

Arrest Attempt Ends in Barricade in Adelphi

The Prince George’s County Police Department worked throughout the night to resolve a barricade in Adelphi.

On December 17, 2012, at approximately 10:20 pm, police officers responded to the 1800 block of Greenwich Woods Drive to assist the U.S. Marshals in serving a warrant. The suspect, 24 year-old Carlos Pierola, of the 1800 block of Greenwich Woods Drive, became aware of the police officers presence at his home and tried to escape.  He forced his way into an adjacent apartment where he barricaded himself. 

Police officers established a perimeter and negotiators worked throughout the night to peacefully resolve the situation.  At 5:45 am,  police officers heard sounds which indicated Pierola was in distress.  Police officers made entry and took life-saving measures to save Pierola, who was attempting to end his life.  He was taken to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.  Pierola's weapon was recovered, and no police officers were hurt during the incident.

Pierola was wanted in connection with an earlier domestic-related kidnapping which occurred on December 15, 2012.  On December 16, 2012, a warrant was obtained charging Pierola with restraining and forcibly taking his estranged wife against her will.  Pierola is alleged to have driven around the Washington D.C. Metro area with the victim in her car,  while trying to convince the victim to resolve their differences.  The victim was able to persuade Pierola to take her home and she called police.  Detectives from District I obtained a warrant against Pierola, and also helped the victim obtain a protective order against him.  He was charged with burglary, kidnapping, carjacking, assault, and related charges.

On December 17, 2012, the victim discovered Pierola hiding inside her home armed with a gun.  The victim was able to convince Pierola to walk outside and she quickly locked herself inside.  The victim contacted detectives from District I, who immediately obtained a second warrant against Pierola, for violating the protective order and related charges.  The U.S. Marshals were assisting the PGPD in locating Pierola, and were in the process of serving both warrants when the barricade began.

Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Prince George's County Police Department's Robbery Unit at 301-772-4905.  Callers can remain anonymous by calling Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or text "PGPD" plus your message to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to www.pgpolice.org and submit a tip online. A cash reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and indictment in this case.