Crime Archives - Page 200 of 238

Murder Conviction for Co-Defendant in Fatal Shooting of 22-year-old in Rockville

Published July 13, 2023 at 8:12PM | Updated July 13, 2023 at 9:44PM

Per the office of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney: “Today, in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Harry Storm, defendant, Jackson Garcia, 20, of Silver Spring, was convicted by a jury on charges of First-Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in Commission of Crime of Violence, Armed Robbery and Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery. Garcia faces the potential of life in prison when he is sentenced on February 16^th, 2024.

This stems from an incident on February 17^th, 2022, at the intersection of Bradley Avenue and Fletcher Place in Rockville, where officers with Montgomery County Police and Rockville City Police found 22-year-old Jose Osvaldo Genao Romero suffering from a gunshot wound. He later died at an area hospital. A police investigation led to the arrests of Garcia and a co-defendant, the accused shooter, Malik D. Jefferson, 24 of Silver Spring. Jefferson is scheduled for trial on January 22^nd, 2024.

Six Suspects Ranging From 13 to 28-Years-Old Arrested for Stealing $49,000 Worth of Merchandise From MoCo Retail Stores

By Patrick Herron

Published July 13, 2023 at 2:26PM

Per MCPD: Six suspects involved in a string of retail store pack thefts have been arrested. The six suspects; two adults and four juveniles, all from Washington, D.C., are accused of entering retail stores in groups and stealing large amounts of items from eleven Montgomery County stores between April 28 to June 15, 2023.

They are also suspected of pack thefts in D.C., and Anne Arundel County. During each of the thefts, the suspects used vehicles that were stolen or carjacked from D.C. The first of the two adults, 28-year-old Shaquille Pittman, is being held without bond. He is accused of stealing from Target on Western Ave (4/29/23), Ulta in the Congressional Shopping Center (5/8/23) and (6/15/23), Sephora in Pike and Rose (5/31/23), and The Nike Store on Arlington Road (6/8/23).

Update: Montgomery County Police Investigating Restaurant Parking Lot Shooting

By Patrick Herron

Published July 13, 2023 at 11:11AM | Updated July 13, 2023 at 11:49AM

Per MCPD: Several people were injured and transported to area hospitals following an early morning shooting in Layhill. Montgomery County Department of Police 4th District officers responded to the rear of the Sole D’italia restaurant in the Norbeck-Layhill community at approximately 12:15 a.m., after multiple reports of shots being fired.

Investigators learned that there was an argument inside of the restaurant that spilled into the parking lot, where shots were fired. Investigators are working to determine who was involved in the shooting. This is an active investigation.

Pastor Convicted of Raping Parishioner

By Patrick Herron

Published July 13, 2023 at 10:13AM

Courtesy Google Maps

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “After a bench trial in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Karla Smith found defendant, Erick Odir Vidal-Fuentes, 39, of Hyattsville, guilty of Second-Degree Rape and Fourth-Degree Sex Offense. The trial concluded Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Vidal-Fuentes faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 4^th, 2023 at 9 a.m.

This stems from an incident on September 29^th, 2020, at the Iglesia Pentecostal El Fin Viene on the 7500 block of New Hampshire Ave. in Takoma Park, where Vidal-Fuentes was serving as pastor. The victim was a parishioner. Vidal-Fuentes currently has another case pending for assault on an additional parishioner who came forward and testified during this trial.

Five Hospitalized After Shooting Outside of Montgomery County Restaurant, According to Police

By MCS Staff

Published July 13, 2023 at 7:52AM

Per Montgomery County Police: Fourth District officers responded to multiple reports of shots fired at approximately 12:15 a.m., followed by multiple reports of people shot to the rear of the Sole D’Italia Restaurant in the Norbeck-Layhill community.

Officers arrived on scene and found four victims with gunshot wounds. Two of the gunshot victims sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries; and the third and fourth victims sustained minor injuries. A fifth gunshot victim was transported by private automobile to an area hospital and was treated for a minor injury. Officers applied a tourniquet to one of the victims.

Arrest Made for Strong Arm Robbery, Assault That Occurred Monday Evening

By MCS Staff

Published July 12, 2023 at 1:46PM

Chief Antonio DeVaul from the Takoma Park Police Department has announced the arrest of Emilio Lemus, 27, of no fixed address, for Strong Arm Robbery and Assault.

Per Takoma Park Police: On July 10 at approximately 5:11 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 1300 block of University Blvd. (Walgreens) for a larceny in progress. Lemus entered the establishment and began stealing items. When approached by an employee, Lemus attempted to assault them. Lemus left the establishment with the stolen merchandise where he was met by police officers. After a brief struggle, Lemus was taken into custody. A search incident to arrest yielded items of evidentiary value, as well as possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Crack Cocaine.

Police: Gaithersburg Man’s Body Recovered in Seneca Creek; Positively Identified

By MCS Staff

Published July 12, 2023 at 12:28PM

Per MCPD: The Montgomery County Department of Police has positively identified the adult male recovered from Seneca Creek on Sunday, July 9, 2023. Jose Israel Centeno Velasquez, also known as Carlos, was identified by family members on Tuesday, July 11. The 43-year-old was last seen on Friday, July 7, leaving his Gaithersburg home on Girard Street. His death is being investigated as a homicide.

Major Crimes detectives are asking for anyone who may have seen Centeno Velasquez to call 240-773-5070 or call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s) in connection with this homicide. Callers can remain anonymous.

Two Juveniles Arrested After Brandishing Firearms and Evading Fare at Metro Station

By Patrick Herron

Published July 11, 2023 at 6:49PM | Updated July 12, 2023 at 11:17AM

Metro Transit Police announced that two juveniles were arrested at the Ft. Totten Metro station in Washington, DC on Monday, July 10 for brandishing firearms at the Silver Spring Metro station. One BB gun and one fully loaded 9mm handgun were recovered. Both juveniles suspects also evaded paying entrance into the Metro, according to a tweet by police. There were no injuries reported. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

ARRESTED: Two juveniles arrested at Ft. Totten yesterday afternoon for brandishing firearms at Silver Spring Station. One BB gun and one fully loaded 9mm handgun recovered. Both juveniles fare evaded into the system. No injuries. #wmata pic.twitter.com/lfLWjiXZja

“Stop the Violence” Town Hall Meeting in Germantown on Wednesday, July 12

By MCS Staff

Published July 11, 2023 at 2:45PM

A “Stop the Violence!!” community town hall will be held in Germantown on Wednesday, July 12th from 6:30pm until 8pm at the Germantown Library (19840 Century Blvd, Germantown, MD 20874).

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando tweeted, “We must come together to keep our community safe. Please join us for a community town hall meeting on July 12th from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Germantown library. All are welcome, especially parents and teens in the Germantown area.” The full flyer can be seen below. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Detectives Investigate Tobacco Cloud Armed Robbery

By Patrick Herron

Published July 11, 2023 at 1:03PM

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating a commercial armed robbery that occurred on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the Tobacco Cloud store in the 11300 block of Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the male suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him. At approximately 10:50 a.m., 4th District officers responded to the location for the report of a commercial armed robbery.

The investigation by detectives has revealed that the suspect entered the store and approached an employee who was working behind the counter. The suspect then threatened the employee with a handgun that he had allegedly concealed on his waistband and demanded money. The employee handed over an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register to the suspect who then exited the store and left the scene.

21-Year-Old Man Found Guilty But Not Criminally Responsible in Fatal Stabbing of Stepfather in Bethesda

By Patrick Herron

Published July 10, 2023 at 9:01PM

Courtesy Google Maps

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Marielsa Bernard found defendant Sergio Koyangbo, 21, of Bethesda, guilty but Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) for the stabbing death of his stepfather, 46-year-old David Beasley on March 6, 2022. The State challenged an NCR finding by a state expert in December of 2022 and retained one of Maryland’s leading forensic psychiatrists to conduct an independent evaluation of the defendant. That doctor, however, came to the same conclusion of an NCR finding. In light of the second expert’s opinion, the State conceded the issue. Immediately following today’s hearing, Koyangbo was committed to the Maryland Department of Health. He will remain in a medical facility pending future evaluations.

According to Montgomery County Police, on March 6, at approximately 9:30 pm, 2nd District Officers arrived at the scene and located a male victim, later identified as 46-year-old David Beasley from Bethesda, inside the residence with apparent stab wounds to his body. Officers provided life-saving measures to Beasley until Montgomery County Fire Rescue arrived at the scene. Beasley was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Detectives spoke with witnesses and determined that Koyangbo stabbed his father, Beasley, inside the residence. Detectives also located items of evidentiary value at the residence. Koyangbo was placed under arrest without incident and transported to the Central Processing Unit, where he has been charged with first-degree murder. He is being held without bond.