PGPD Makes Quick Arrests in Gas Station Armed Robbery

Suspects Linked to Second Robbery Two Hours Earlier

The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested three suspects shortly after the robbery of a gas station in Lanham.  The suspects are also linked to the robbery of a drug store that occurred two hours earlier in Bowie. The suspects are identified as 25-year-old Mmamoi Ojiaku of the 16000 block of Pleasant Colony Drive in Upper Marlboro, 20-year-old Mathew Ogunsalu of the 5200 block of Aldershot Drive in Lanham and 24-year-old Aaron Prudhomme of the 9100 block of Fowler Lane in Lanham.

Mathew Ogunsalu

Aaron Prudhomme

Mmamoi Ojiaku

On February 27, 2014, at about 12:35 am, patrol officers were called to the 9100 block of Annapolis Road in Lanham for the report of an armed robbery of a gas station.  When they arrived, they discovered that two suspects had just robbed the business at gunpoint.  Responding patrol officers immediately saturated the area.  Officers conducted a traffic stop on a car at the intersection of Annapolis Road and Interstate 495.  The occupants of the car matched the descriptions of the robbery suspects.  Investigative development led detectives to link the three men to the robbery.  They were taken into custody.  Detectives believe the third suspect acted as the getaway driver. 

Gas Station Robbery

The three suspects are also connected to a robbery two hours earlier in Bowie.  On February 26, 2014, at about 10:45 pm, two suspects robbed a drug store in the 6900 block of Laurel Bowie Road.  During the robbery, one of the suspects fired a bullet at a door inside the business.  An employee was inside that room.  No victims were hurt during the shooting or either robbery.

CVS Robbery

The three suspects are each charged with attempted first degree murder, attempted second degree murder, robbery and related charges connected to both crimes.

Detectives are looking into whether the suspects are linked to other robberies as well.

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

PGPD Remembers Fallen Officer Sergeant John Bagileo

Let us pause to remember our fallen hero Sergeant John L. Bagileo, lost this day in 1994.  

Sergeant Bagileo was born on August 21, 1967, in the District of Columbia and was raised in Montgomery County.

Sergeant Bagileo joined the Prince George's County Police Department on April 23, 1990, as a member of Session #74.  After graduation, he was assigned to the District III station.

On the evening of February 28, 1994, at about 10:00 pm, Sergeant Bagileo was dispatched to a tampering in progress in Seat Pleasant.  As Sergeant Bagileo was driving to the scene, a car pulled out from a side street right into his path.  Sergeant Bagileo executed an evasive maneuver and was able to avoid that car, but he lost control of his cruiser and struck a utility pole. Sadly, Sergeant Bagileo died from his injuries.

Sergeant Bagileo served the Prince George's County Police Department for four years and was the 20th member of this agency to make the ultimate sacrifice.  He was the 32nd law enforcement officer to give his life in service to this profession within Prince George's County.

At the time of his death, Sergeant John L. Bagileo was 26 years old and survived by his wife and daughter.

WANTED WEDNESDAY

Armed Robbery Suspects

Robbery detectives would like the community’s help to find these two suspects.  On February 17, 2014, they walked into a liquor store on Old Annapolis Road and committed an armed robbery.  They force a frightened employee to empty the cash register and then they ran out.  These two suspects are linked to at least two other robberies at gas stations in Bowie— one on February 18th, the second on February 22nd. During one of these robberies, the suspects were seen speeding away on a black motorcycle.  If you know who they are, please call our Robbery Unit at 301-772-4905.

Attempted Armed Robbery Suspect

Do you recognize the suspect in this picture? He’s wanted in connection with an attempted armed robbery on February 22, 2014, on University Boulevard. If you know him, please call 301-699-2601.

B & E Suspects

Detectives are working to identify these two suspects as well.  They used a crow bar to break into a cell phone store on Old Branch Avenue in Clinton on February 24, 2014.  Once they got inside, they stole several electronics.  If you have information on this case, please call 301-856-3130.

PGPD to Host Live Recruiting Q & A Session

It’s one of the most popular topics on the department’s social media sites – recruiting. Our Twitter followers and Facebook friends often ask us questions about how they too can join the ranks of the PGPD.  On Friday, we’ll provide those answers in real time. Three members of the PGPD’s recruiting team will sit down for a live question and answer session through @PGPDNews and on our Facebook page.  One of the recruiters speaks Spanish.

When:  Friday, February 28, 2014

Time: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

If you can’t join us during those hours, feel free to send us your questions ahead of time to @PGPDNews, post them to our Facebook page, or email them to Police_MRD@co.pg.md.us. We’ll post the answers during the social media session.  We hope you join the conversation this Friday.

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

PGPD Shuts Down Suitland Business

The Prince George’s County Police Department issued a violation notice to the owners of the Upscale Ballroom on February 21, 2014, ordering the business closed.  Upscale Ballroom is located in the 3900 block of Bexley Place in Suitland.  The business has been deemed a danger to the safety and welfare of the public.

Upscale Ballroom is connected to a stabbing which occurred on February 16, 2014.  The victim had just left the business when he encountered the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Eric Dewayne Hickman of the 2200 block of 16^th Street in Southeast Washington.  Hickman argued with the victim, who was an acquaintance, before stabbing him multiple times.  A warrant has been obtained for Hickman, charging him with attempted second degree murder.  Detectives are continuing to search for Hickman.

Eric Dewayne Hickman

The business was also the scene of a shooting on November 9, 2013.  A fight broke out inside the business, which spilled outside.  An unknown suspect fired towards a group of victims before leaving the scene.  Responding officers found three victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Their injuries were not life threatening. Detectives are working to identify the suspect(s) in this shooting. 

Upscale Ballroom will remain closed pending an appeal hearing.

We encourage anyone with information about the location of Hickman and/or the identity of the shooting suspect to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Regional Investigation Division - South at (301) 749-5064.  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 Honors Patrol Officers of the Month

Snow, sleet, or sunshine, Prince George’s County Police patrol officers suit up to protect and serve the residents of this county. Too often their good police work goes unnoticed.  We’d like to introduce you to the patrol officers of the month for January 2014.

District I Police Officer of the Month

Police Officer Mohammad Ashkar

On January 2, 2014, Police Officer Mohammad Ashkar conducted a traffic stop on Queens Chapel Road.  When he approached the car, the patrol officer noticed the driver had a black face mask around his neck and had adjusted his waistband.  The driver also gave Police Officer Ashkar vague and evasive answers.  Police Officer Ashkar asked the driver to step out of the car for further investigation.  Police Officer Ashkar recovered a fully loaded handgun, suspected crack cocaine, heroin and marijuana.  The driver was arrested.  It was later learned that the handgun had been reported stolen.

District II Police Officer of the Month

Police Officer Michael Mroz

On January 15, 2014, Police Officer Michael Mroz responded to Wellington Street for the report of a fight.  When he arrived, he spoke to the two people who had been involved in the fight.  One of them had an open warrant for assault.  He was taken into custody.  Investigative leads developed as a result of this arrest also led to the closure of three residential burglary cases.

District III Police Officer of the Month

Police Officer Terrance McDonald

On January 15, 2014, Police Officer Terrance McDonald responded to the scene of an armored car robbery in Suitland. The armored car guards had been disarmed and robbed at gunpoint.   A good Samaritan, who witnessed the robbery, began to follow the suspects’ car.  The suspects spotted the good Samaritan and opened fire on his truck on Branch Avenue.  After the shooting, the suspects continued down Branch Avenue towards the District where they eventually lost control of their car and crashed.  They jumped out and tried to run away.  Police Officer McDonald began to chase the suspects. When he neared one of the four suspects, the suspect pulled out a handgun and began to turn toward Officer McDonald.  Officer McDonald was able to disarm the suspect and arrest him.

District IV Police Officers of the Month

Police Officer Jerold Greenwood

Police Officer Amir Smith

On January 15, 2014, Police Officers Jerold Greenwood and Amir Smith also responded to the armored car robbery in Suitland.  The patrol officers saw the suspects travelling down Branch Avenue and began to pursue their car into the District.  After crashing, the suspects bailed out of their car and began to run away. All four suspects were taken into custody with the assistance of the Metropolitan Police Department. A total of four firearms were recovered, including two that had been taken from the armored car guards.

District V Police Officer of the Month

Police Officer First Class Jonathan Osborne

On January 8, 2014, Police Officer First Class Jonathan Osborne conducted a traffic stop on Trumps Hill Road.  As he approached, he smelled suspected marijuana coming from the car.  A pat down of the driver revealed several small baggies in the driver’s pocket.  The driver admitted to having marijuana in the glove compartment.  Inside the glove compartment, POFC Osborne recovered 60 grams of marijuana. The driver was arrested.

District VI Police Officers of the Month

Corporal Henry Colon

Police Officer Vitaliy Demin

On January 13, 2014, Corporal Henry Colon and Police Officer Vitaliy Demin were called to Clark Avenue for a burglary in progress. When they arrived, they spoke to the victim who said she had just returned home from work and had gone upstairs.  While upstairs, a suspect walked out of the master bedroom with a hammer in his hand. The frightened victim was able to run outside and call police.  The two suspects ran out of the home through the basement.  A short time later, Corporal Colon and Police Officer Demin spotted two men who matched the description of the suspects.  Through additional investigation, it was determined that the two suspects were involved the breaking and entering. They were arrested.

PGPD to Revisit Capitol Heights Community in Triple Homicide Investigation

Prince George's County Police homicide detectives will revisit a Capitol Heights community today at 4:00 pm. They'll pass out Crime Solvers flyers regarding the triple homicide in the 5200 block of Marlboro Pike. 

The victims are identified as 38-year-old Ortiz Ola of the 5200 block of Marlboro Pike, 33-year-old Weldon Mason of the 10000 block of Washington Boulevard in Laurel and 33-year-old Staci Taneesha White of the 13000 block of Larchdale Road in Laurel. 

On February 22, 2014, at about 5:30 pm, a family member of one of the victims called 911 after discovering the bodies.  That family member had gone to the apartment to check on the loved one.  When patrol officers arrived, they discovered the bodies of the three victims, each suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.  They were pronounced dead on the scene.    

Preliminarily, there do not appear to be any prior calls for service at the victim's apartment on Marlboro Pike. 

Detectives are working to identify the suspect(s) and establish a motive. 

We encourage anyone with information about this crime 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.


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

PGPD Investigates Triple Homicide in Capitol Heights

The Prince George's County Police Department is investigating a triple homicide in Capitol Heights.

On February 22, 2014, at about 5:30 pm, patrol officers were called to the 5200 block of Marlboro Pike after a 911 caller reported finding three bodies inside an apartment.  When patrol officers arrived, they discovered the bodies of three adults, each suffering from trauma. They were pronounced dead on the scene.  The bodies will be taken to Baltimore for autopsies.

Detectives are working to establish a suspect(s) and motive in this case.  Detectives will return to the neighborhood on Sunday to pass out Crime Solvers flyers and speak with members of the community.  The time has not yet been determined.   Any additional information will be released on Sunday via @PGPDNews.

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.

PGPD Investigates Sexual Assault of Elderly Woman

The Prince George's County Police Department is asking for our community's help in identifying the suspect who sexually assaulted an elderly woman in her Riverdale home.  Detectives will revisit the neighborhood today at 6:00 pm to pass out flyers and speak to members of the community.

On February, 21, 2014, at about 9:40 pm, patrol officers were called to the 6100 block of 63rd Avenue for the report of a sexual assault. When they arrived, they learned the victim had just been sexually assaulted by a man who broke into her home.  The victim heard someone in her house and when she went to check on the noise, the suspect grabbed and sexually assaulted her.  He then ran from the home.

Responding patrol officers immediately conducted an extensive neighborhood canvas.  A K9 team was also brought in to try to track the suspect.  

"All sexual assaults are intolerable, but for a man to target such a vulnerable member of our community is egregious.  Our detectives are committed to finding and arresting this suspect," said Chief Mark Magaw.

The suspect is described as a hispanic or Pacific Islander male, 20 years old, about 5'2", 150 pounds with dark curly hair.

Anyone with information on this sexual assault is urged to contact the Prince George's County Police Department's Sexual Assault Unit at 301-772-4908.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.  Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.  Tipsters never have to give their name.

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