Crime Archives - Page 197 of 244

Rockville Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Transportation of Child Pornography

Published September 2, 2023 at 11:03PM

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland:

S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Gregory Thomas Clement, age 53, of Rockville, Maryland, yesterday to nine years in federal prison, followed by 15 years supervised release, for transportation of child pornography. Judge Chuang also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Clement must register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”).

Police Searching for Suspect Accused of Stealing Cash and Items From Mall Kiosks

By Patrick Herron

Published September 1, 2023 at 12:42PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- 4th District Investigative Section are investigating a burglary and multiple thefts that occurred at the Westfield Wheaton Shopping Center, formerly known as the Wheaton Plaza Mall in the 11100 block of Veirs Mill Road in Silver Spring. On Monday, April 3, 2023, at approximately 8:11 a.m., the suspect entered the shopping center and broke into the stand-alone, Cellairis kiosk. The suspect stole property and an undisclosed amount of cash before leaving the area.

On Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at approximately 8 p.m., the suspect entered the shopping center and began to walk around the Toy World kiosk. The suspect then approached the kiosk, stole an undisclosed amount of cash and walked away. The suspect then walked around the shopping center looking at other kiosks. The suspect approached Rico’s Ice Cream, jumped over the counter, opened the register and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect is described as a heavy-set, Black male, possibly in his early twenties, with short black hair.

16-Year-Old Wanted for Father’s Day Homicide in Damascus Arrested

By Patrick Herron

Published August 31, 2023 at 9:04PM

Per MCPD: A 16-year-old wanted in connection with a Father’s Day homicide is in custody. Isaiah Brown-Hawkins was arrested by Forest Heights police officers on Thursday, August 31, 2023. The Damascus teen is accused of shooting and killing 32-year-old James Joel Austin on Sunday, June 18 in the 9800 block of Bethesda Church Road in Damascus. Brown-Hawkins drove away in a Honda belonging to Austin. The car was located in Washington, DC, however he has been on the run since the shooting.

Brown-Hawkins was seen driving a stolen vehicle on Audrey Lane in Oxon Hill. When officers attempted to make a traffic stop, Brown-Hawkins allegedly rammed police cruisers, got out of the car and ran away. Brown-Hawkins was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit. A handgun was found by officers during the pursuit. Detectives requested and obtained a warrant for Brown-Hawkins’ arrest on Monday, June 19. He has been charged with first-degree murder, armed carjacking and use of a handgun in the commission of a felony.

Detectives Requesting Public’s Assistance in Identifying Auto Theft Suspects; $10,000 Reward Offered for Information Leading to Arrest

By Patrick Herron

Published August 31, 2023 at 10:11AM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Auto Crime Enforcement Section (ACES) are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two auto theft suspects. On Sunday, August 27, 2023, 2nd District officers responded to the victim’s Bethesda home for the report of a stolen 2018 Black Nissan Rogue. The victim stated that sometime between 6 p.m., on Saturday, August 26 and 1 p.m., on August 27, her car was stolen.

Through the course of the investigation, detectives determined that the suspects used the victim’s credit card at multiple locations. Detectives obtained surveillance photos of the suspects.

Gaithersburg Police Arrests Teenager Found With Loaded Gun; Suspected of Rummaging Through Vehicles

By MCS Staff

Published August 31, 2023 at 8:49AM

According to Gaithersburg Police, “On August 26, 2023 at 3:22 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Bralan Lane for the report of a theft from vehicle.

Responding officers observed two suspects running from the area and pursued after them on foot. One of the suspects was apprehended. Further investigation revealed that the suspects entered and rummaged through multiple vehicles in the area. Located on the suspect who was apprehended was a loaded 9mm handgun. While checking for additional targeted vehicles, officers located a Toyota SUV with out of state registration plates that had bullet holes in it. After conducting a stolen check of the vehicle, it was revealed that the vehicle was stolen out of Montgomery County in July 2023 and was used in an armed robbery in Prince George’s County in August. Any potential connection between this vehicle and the suspects is under investigation.

Man Accidentally Shoots Himself in a Car in Chevy Chase; Non-Life Threatening Injuries Sustained

By MCS Staff

Published August 30, 2023 at 9:52PM

At approximately 6:35PM on Wednesday evening, an individual handling a rifle accidentally shot himself on Willard Avenue near MD-355 Wisconsin Avenue. The incident occurred while the man was in a car that was parked near the outdoor dining area of a restaurant, according to our public safety reporter Cordell Pugh. Westbound Willard was briefly blocked by the response while Montgomery County Police 2nd District handling the scene.

The Commander of MCPD’s 2nd district tweeted the following update, “Officers are in the area of Willard/Friendship Blvd for an accidental discharge of a firearm. There is no threat to the community at this time. Adult male transported with non-life-threatening injuries.”

Germantown TopGolf Shooting Suspect Arrested in Ocean City

By Patrick Herron

Published August 30, 2023 at 6:16PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District Investigative Section have arrested and charged 28-year-old Cyprian Nwaigwe with the shooting that occurred at Topgolf on Monday, August 29, 2023.

The investigation has revealed that at approximately 12:06 a.m., a 23-year-old Topgolf security guard informed Nwaigwe to leave the premises because they were closing for the night. Nwaigwe proceeded to get into a physical altercation with the security guard. The physical altercation continued to the front door area, where Nwaigwe pulled out a handgun and shot the security guard in his upper body. An 18-year-old Topgolf employee was also shot in his lower body. Nwaigwe then left the scene.

Police Investigating Bethesda Restaurant Theft

By Patrick Herron

Published August 30, 2023 at 4:10PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police -2nd District Investigative Section are investigating a theft that occurred at Cubano’s Restaurant in the 4900 block of Cordell Avenue on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. Detectives have released surveillance video of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

The preliminary investigation by detectives has determined that the suspect entered the restaurant at approximately 8 p.m. The suspect immediately walked to the back of the restaurant, grabbed the victim’s purse that was hanging on a rack and entered the bathroom. The purse was later located inside the bathroom by a customer but was missing cash, personal items and property. The suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 30-years-old, thin build, wearing a gray t-shirt.

Woman Convicted on Murder Charge for Death of 17-Year-Old Brother

By Patrick Herron

Published August 30, 2023 at 2:10PM | Updated August 30, 2023 at 4:12PM

Courtesy Google Maps

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable John Maloney, a jury found defendant, Leaundra Matthews, 25, of Accokeek, guilty of second-degree murder for the death of Christian Matthews, her 17-year-old brother. Christian Matthews was fatally strangled during an attack by the defendant’s boyfriend and another co-defendant while he was asleep inside the family’s Silver Spring home in the early morning hours of March 21, 2017.

Leaundra Matthews faces up to 30 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 19, 2024 at 2 p.m. In January of 2019, a jury convicted Leaundra’s boyfriend, 26-year-old Tysean Lipford, on a charge of second-degree murder for the death of Christian Matthews. He was sentenced in June of 2019 to 30 years in prison and is currently serving that sentence. Daniel Howard is the other codefendant facing murder charges. His trial is scheduled for April 2024. In addition, Leaundra’s twin sister, Lemae Matthews, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder in October of 2021 and will be sentenced following the conclusion of Howard’s April 2024 trial.”

Police: Victim Shoots At Masked Suspects Who Approached With Guns Drawn

By MCS Staff

Published August 30, 2023 at 1:30PM

On August 29 at approximately 11:12 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 6300 block of New Hampshire Avenue (Sunoco) for an assault that had just occurred. According to Takoma Park Police:

“Upon arrival, officers learned that the victim drove his vehicle into the Sunoco gas station parking lot to the air pump area. The victim noticed a vehicle drive up behind his and saw two masked suspects exit the vehicle with guns drawn. The victim produced a legally owned firearm and a shooting occurred. The suspects fled the area.

Rockville Woman Charged with Attempting to Bribe Child Welfare Services Worker After Initiating Claims of Sexual Abuse

By Patrick Herron

Published August 30, 2023 at 12:57PM

Per MCPD: Sawsan Al Hadidi of Rockville has been charged with obstruction of justice and bribery after she allegedly attempted to bribe a Montgomery County Child Welfare Services (CWS) employee. The 42-year-old is accused of attempting to pay off an Assessment Social Worker, who had been assigned to investigate claims of sexual abuse against a child, which had been initiated by Al Hadidi.

The CWS employee reported that on Wednesday, July 26, Al Hadidi stated she had a gift for the investigator and presented a large amount of cash. The investigator refused the money and reported the incident. A warrant was requested and Al Hadidi was issued a summons to appear in court.