PGPD Searches for Missing Man

 

Dilan Ashar

The Prince George’s County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in finding a missing man. He is identified as 22-year-old Dilan Ashar. Mr. Ashar was last seen on September 20, 2026, at approximately 12:00 pm in the 4300 block of Knox Road in College Park.

Mr. Ashar is approximately 6'1" tall and 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing a yellow shirt and shorts.

 Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Missing Persons Section at 301-772-8970.

PGPD Investigating Now-Fatal Pedestrian Collision

 The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a now-fatal pedestrian collision that occurred early Monday morning. The deceased pedestrian is 60-year-old Gary Shifler of Clinton.

On September 28, 2026, at approximately 6:00 am, officers responded to the area of Surratts Road and Lormar Court for the report of a crash involving a pedestrian. Shifler was located in the roadway suffering from trauma. He was taken to the hospital where he died on September 30, 2026.

The preliminary investigation revealed the involved vehicle was traveling in the westbound lane on Surratts Road, when for reasons now under investigation, the driver struck the pedestrian in the roadway. The driver remained on scene and was not injured.

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 26-0051720.

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PGPD Investigating Fatal Shooting

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is actively investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Wednesday. The victim is 30-year-old Angel Granados-Chavez of Mount Rainier.

 

On September 30, 2026, at approximately 5:45 pm, officers responded to a shooting in the 3300 block of Chillum Road in the town of Brentwood. Once on scene, officers located Granados-Chavez outside suffering from gunshot wound(s). Despite life-saving measures, he died at the scene.

 

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 26-0052205.

 

The Prince George’s County Police Department investigates all homicides in the town on Brentwood.

 

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PGPD Investigating Fatal Collision in Temple Hills

 The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal collision that occurred Wednesday afternoon in Temple Hills. The deceased driver is 61-year-old Lamar Garvin of Suitland.

On September 30, 2026, at approximately 2:45 pm, officers responded to the 4400 block of Branch Avenue for a collision involving two vehicles. Garvin was taken to a hospital where he died a short time later. The second involved driver was not injured.

Investigators are working to determine the circumstances of the collision.

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 26-0052184.

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PGPD Charges Suspect for 2023 Fatal Stabbing

Kevin Warbington 

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit identified and charged a suspect in connection with a 2023 fatal stabbing in the city of Hyattsville. The suspect is 67-year-old Kevin Warbington of no fixed address. He’s charged with the murder of 33-year-old Avrell Milam of no fixed address.

On August 30, 2023, at approximately 2:55 am, officers with the Hyattsville Police Department responded to the 2900 block of Belcrest Center Drive for the report of an unresponsive person.  Officers located the victim outside suffering from trauma. He was pronounced dead on the scene. The PGPD’s Homicide Unit was notified and assumed the investigation.  

Through various investigative techniques, detectives identified Warbington as the suspect. A warrant for his arrest was obtained in early September of 2026.

The PGPD’s Fugitive Unit, which is part of the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, located and arrested the suspect in Washington, DC, where he remains pending extradition to Prince George’s County.

The suspect is charged with first and second degree murder and related charges. At this time, there is no known link between the suspect and victim. The motive remains under investigation.

The PGPD investigates all homicides in the city of Hyattsville. 

If anyone has information relevant to this investigation, they are asked to please call detectives at 301-516-2512. Please refer to case number 23-0051162.

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PGPD Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Hit-and-Run

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run that occurred early Sunday morning. The deceased pedestrian has been identified as 52-year-old Ernesto Chocoj Caal of Laurel.

 

On September 27, 2026, at approximately 4:15 am, officers responded to the area of Laurel Bowie Road and Briarwood Drive where they located the victim in the roadway suffering from trauma. He died at the scene.

 

The preliminary investigation suggests the victim was struck by two vehicles in the southbound lanes of Laurel Bowie Road. Both drivers fled the scene.

 

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 26-0051473.

 

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PGPD Investigating Fatal Shooting in Clinton

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is actively investigating the circumstances of a fatal shooting that occurred early Sunday morning in Clinton. The decedent is 37-year-old Arsenio Cleckley whose last known address was in District Heights.

On September 27, 2026, at approximately 1:15 am, officers responded to a home in the 10700 block of Piscataway Road for a report of a shooting. Once on scene, officers located Cleckley inside suffering from gunshot wound(s). Despite life-saving measures, he died at the scene.

All parties involved in this shooting have been identified. They are known to each other. Detectives are in consultation with the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office regarding any charges in this case.

If you have information and would like to speak to a Homicide Unit detective, please call 301-516-2512. Please refer to case number 26-0051450.

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PGPD Announces Quick Arrest of Suspect in Largo Shooting

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Gun Crimes Unit identified and charged the teenager who shot another teenager on Thursday in Largo. The suspect is a 16-year-old male from Upper Marlboro. He is charged as an adult. The teenager who was shot is a 15-year-old male. His injuries are not considered life-threatening, and he has been released from the hospital.

On September 24, 2026, at approximately 11:40 am, officers were notified a teenager walked into a medical center with a gunshot wound. At approximately noon, officers responded to the campus of Prince George’s Community College for the report of a shooting. Investigators quickly determined the teenager had been shot on the campus prior to seeking medical attention.

The preliminary investigation revealed the two teenagers had been involved in a dispute earlier in the day which led to the shooting.

The suspect was located and arrested this evening by the PGPD’s Fugitive Unit which is part of the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. 

The suspect is charged with first and second degree attempted murder and related charges. He will be transported to the Department of Corrections. 

Anyone with information about this case who would like to speak with an investigator is asked to call the Gun Crimes Unit at 301-772-8960.

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PGPD Arrests Father in Connection With Death of Son

 

  Alwin Strachan 

A father is charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of his 13-month-old baby. The suspect is 26-year-old Alwin Strachan of Temple Hills. The victim is his son, Kyro Strachan.

 

On September 18, 2026, at approximately 11:15 pm, officers responded to the family’s home in the 3200 block of Curtis Drive. Officers located the baby unresponsive and not breathing. Despite life-saving efforts, the baby was pronounced dead a short time later at a hospital.

 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled the cause of death as blunt force trauma and the manner of death a homicide.

 

During an interview with the suspect, he disclosed to Homicide Unit detectives of his involvement in injuring the baby, resulting in his death.

 

Alwin Strachan is charged with second degree murder, manslaughter and child abuse resulting in death. He is at the Department of Corrections.

 

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 Investigating Fatal Hit-and Run

Update September 22, 2026: The victim in this collision is identified as 67-year-old James Evan Moore, Jr., of Temple Hills. Anyone with information on this active investigation is urged to contact investigators at 301-731-4422.

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal hit-and-run. The victim’s name will be released once his family has been notified and given time to make internal family notifications. The victim, an adult male, was using a wheelchair at the time he was struck. The driver of the striking vehicle did not stop and fled the scene.

 

On September 19, 2026, at approximately 12:30 am, officers responded to the 6300 block of Allentown Road in Camp Springs. The victim as located in the roadway suffering from trauma. He died at the scene.

 

The preliminary investigation suggests the driver of the striking vehicle was traveling northbound on Allentown Road when the vehicle struck the victim who appeared to be crossing the roadway. The striking vehicle is described as a dark blue or black SUV or pickup truck.

 

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 26-009915.

 

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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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