Crime Archives - Page 217 of 238

College Park Mayor Writes Letter of Resignation Ahead of Arrest and Charges For 56 Counts of Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography

Published March 2, 2023 at 12:44PM

Patrick Wojahn, mayor of College Park since 2015, resigned last night in a letter submitted to the City of College Park ahead of his arrest and charges of 56 counts of possession and distribution of child pornography. His letter and the official statement from the City of College Park, released prior to when the investigation was made public information, can be seen below:

Patrick Wojahn’s letter is resignation: “It has been a profound honor and privilege to serve the City of College Park since 2007 as a City Councilmember and your Mayor. However, effective immediately, I must resign my position.

College Park Mayor Arrested and Charged With 56 Counts of Possession & Distribution of Child Pornography

By MCS Staff

Published March 2, 2023 at 12:10PM

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Abuse – Internet Crimes Against Child Unit arrested a College Park man this morning for possession and distribution of child pornography. The suspect is 47-year-old Patrick Wojahn.

Per Prince George’s County Police: On February 17, 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified the PGPD that a social media account operating in the county possessed and distributed suspected child pornography. The image and videos had been uploaded to the social media account in January of 2023. Through various investigative techniques, PGPD investigators discovered the social media account belonged to Wojahn.

Rockville Man Arrested for Assault & Firearm Related Charges Stemming From a January 31st Shooting in Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

Published March 1, 2023 at 10:10PM

Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department – Investigative Section have arrested a suspect involved in the shooting that occurred on January 31, 2023, in the area of N. Summit Avenue. With the assistance from the Montgomery County Police – Repeat Offender Unit, police arrested 23-year-old Delonte Jamar Hunter on Tuesday, February 28 in Rockville, where he was taken into custody without incident.

On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at approximately 6:28 a.m., officers from both the Gaithersburg Police Department and the Montgomery County Police Department – 6^th District responded to the area of N. Summit Avenue for the report of a shooting that just occurred. Officers located two adult victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers provided first-aid to both victims until Fire and Rescue personnel arrived. The victims were then transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Rockville Man Convicted in Fraud Scheme That Stole Almost $2 Million From Churches

By MCS Staff

Published February 28, 2023 at 7:20AM

A federal jury in Maryland has convicted Diape Seck, age 29, of Rockville, Maryland for his role in a bank fraud scheme in which he and his co-conspirators obtained or attempted to obtain almost $2 million by fraud, including by stealing checks from the mail of churches and religious institutions. The guilty verdict was returned late on February 24, 2023.

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: According to the evidence presented at his eight-day trial, from at least January 2019 to January 2020, Seck, a customer service representative with Bank A, conspired with Mateus Vaduva, Marius Vaduva, Vlad Baceanu, Nicolae Gindac, Florin Vaduva, Marian Unguru, Daniel Velcu, Vali Unguru and others to commit bank fraud. Specifically, the evidence showed that Seck fraudulently opened bank accounts in fake identities in exchange for cash bribes. Co-conspirators engaged in fraud that included fraud involving rental cars and the deposit of checks stolen from the incoming and outgoing mail of churches and other religious institutions, into the fraudulently opened bank accounts. The co-conspirators then withdrew the funds and spent the fraudulently obtained proceeds.

Burglary Prevention Tips By Takoma Park Police

By MCS Staff

Published February 27, 2023 at 12:32PM

Burglary Prevention Tips by Takoma Park Police: Burglary is an opportunist crime. A burglar will select his target because it offers him the best opportunity to carry out his crime undetected and with the fewest number of obstacles in his way. A home that presents itself as insecure is far more likely to be targeted than one which is properly secured. Please review the following in order to protect your home and your valuables:

1. The MOST important thing YOU can do is CALL THE POLICE to report a CRIME or any SUSPICIOUS activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. And remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes! Report burglaries immediately! Get to know your neighbors!

Olney Teenager Arrested for Stolen Auto; Other Offenses

By MCS Staff

Published February 25, 2023 at 1:39PM

On February 23, at approximately 5:00 pm, Takoma Park Police attempted to make a traffic stop in the area of New Hampshire Avenue and Holton Lane. The driver of the vehicle accelerated to an unreasonable amount of speed and lost control of the vehicle on Wildwood Drive, colliding with another vehicle. There were no injuries.

Per Takoma Park Police: Four subjects fled the vehicle on foot but were apprehended shortly after. The passengers were identified and released to the custody of a parent(s). The driver of the vehicle, a 15-year-old male from Olney, Maryland, was charged with Auto Theft, Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle, Theft over $10,000 and various other traffic offenses. The charged juvenile was released to the custody of a parent(s). Investigation continues. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100 and refer to case #230009152.

Rockville Man Accused of Killing Former Boss at Bethesda Home Pleads Guilty to All Counts

By MCS Staff

Published February 24, 2023 at 6:18PM

Today, in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before Judge Karla Smith, defendant, Billy Phillips, 38, of Rockville, pleaded guilty to counts of First-Degree Murder, Home Invasion, Armed Robbery, and Use of a Firearm in Commission of Felony for the death of his former manager, Geoffrey Biddle, 66, of Bethesda, on June 23, 2021.

Phillips faces the potential of life in prison plus an additional 65 years when he is sentenced on March 10^th at 10:30 a.m. The State will be seeking the maximum penalty. According to witnesses, Phillips had recently been in financial despair and was fired from his job in April 2021 for fraud. When he was arrested, the victim’s bank card and checkbook were in the defendant’s car. Featured photo shows home where murder occurred, courtesy of Google Maps. Photo below shows Billy Phillips

MS-13 Members Involved in Murders That Took Place in Gaithersburg and Germantown Sentenced to Life in Prison for Racketeering, Murder, Extortion, and Federal Drug Charges

By MCS Staff

Published February 24, 2023 at 7:56AM

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland: U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has sentenced Luis Flores-Reyes, a/k/a “Maloso,” “Lobo,”’ and “Viejo Lovvon,” age 42, of Arlington, Virginia and Jairo Jacome, a/k/a “Abuelo,” age 40, of Langley Park, Maryland, to life in federal prison, for charges related to a racketeering enterprise known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or “MS-13.” Jacome and Flores-Reyes were convicted by a federal jury on September 29, 2022, of a racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and an extortion conspiracy. The jury also found Flores-Reyes guilty of a drug distribution conspiracy. Flores-Reyes was sentenced yesterday and Jacome was sentenced today. The defendants and co-defendants were also involved in murders that took place in Gaithersburg and Germantown.

On January 12, 2023, Judge Xinis also sentenced co-defendant Brayan Contreras-Avalos, a/k/a “Anonimo” and “Humilde,” age 28, of Langley Park, Maryland, to life in federal prison for his participation in the same racketeering conspiracy.

Air Bags Stolen From Two Cars in Takoma Park (Both Honda Accords) on Tuesday

By MCS Staff

Published February 22, 2023 at 4:39PM

On February 21, Takoma Park Police responded for two thefts of air bags. Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to please call Takoma Park Police at 301-270-1100. Additional info below:

7400 block of New Hampshire Avenue: At an unknown time, unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s vehicle (2020 Honda Accord) by breaking the front driver’s side window and stole the steering wheel air bag. Case #23000698. This incident occurred in Ward 6.

Ward 5 Community in Takoma Park to Hold Meeting to Discuss Public Safety

By MCS Staff

Published February 22, 2023 at 8:02AM

The Police Department and Ward 5 City Councilmember Cara Honzak will hold a community meeting to discuss public safety issues in Ward 5. Police Department staff will be providing an update on recent incidents in Ward 5 and provide an overall overview of crime stats/trends and security measures put in place to address these trends. The meeting will be in-person, and a Zoom Webinar will also be available to join and ask questions:

Zoom Registration: Ward 5 Community Zoom Meeting Registration Contact: If you have questions in advance of the meeting, please email them to Cathy Plevywith the title “Ward 5 Public Safety Meeting.”

Olney Teenager Arrested for Stabbing Incident in Mount Airy

By MCS Staff

Published February 21, 2023 at 3:03PM | Updated February 21, 2023 at 10:18PM

On February 20th, 2023 at approximately 12:21am, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the area of the 14000 block of Shirley Bohn Road, Frederick County, Maryland, along with Deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Officers from the Mt. Airy Police Department, and Emergency Medical Personnel for the report of a stabbing that occurred during a party. It was discovered that a 19 year old male was stabbed and subsequently taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center by Maryland State Police Aviation. Two additional 19 year old victims were also located and transported to local area hospitals for further care.

Per the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office: As the investigation continued, a suspect was identified as a 17 year old male from Olney, Maryland. He was located a short time later and taken to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. It was later determined that the actual assault had occurred in the 6000 block of Buffalo Road in Carroll County, not at the original location of the party. Investigators from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office then took over the investigation. After consultation with the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office, the suspect was transported to Carroll County Central Booking where he will initially be charged as an adult. He is being charged with: