Crime Archives - Page 223 of 265

Man Indicted, Arraigned in Federal Court in Multi-State Scheme to Defraud Home Depot Out of Almost $300K

Published August 3, 2023 at 8:43AM

A Connecticut resident, Alexandre Henrique Costa-Mota, has been arraigned in U.S. District Court in Providence, RI, on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud, as reflected in an indictment that alleges that he participated in a scheme to defraud Home Depot stores in eight states, including Maryland, of approximately $297,332, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Rhode Island, it is alleged in charging documents that, from at least June 2021 to February 2022, Alexandre Henrique Costa-Mota, 26, executed non-receipted return fraud schemes at more than two dozen Home Depot stores located primarily in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, but also in Maine, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.

Patrick Wojahn, Former Mayor of College Park, Convicted on Child Pornography Charges

By MCS Staff

Published August 2, 2023 at 10:13PM

Per the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney: The former mayor of College Park pled guilty to 60 counts of distribution of child pornography, 40 counts of possession of child pornography, and 40 counts of possession of child pornography with the intent to distribute. Patrick Wojahn pled guilty in court today to 150 years suspend all but 30 years.

In February 2023, the Prince George’s County Police Department received notification from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that suspected child pornography had been distributed by someone in the county. Subsequently, the Department opened an investigation which led to Wojahn who now stands convicted on a host of child pornography charges.

MCPD: 19-Year-Old Charged in Connection with Damascus Murder; 16-Year-Old Primary Suspect Still Wanted

By Patrick Herron

Published August 2, 2023 at 3:27PM

Per MCPD: A 19-year-old from Damascus has been arrested and charged with murder, in connection with a Father’s Day homicide. Khamani Imes was arrested on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, for allegedly giving a gun to Isaiah Brown-Hawkins that was used in the homicide of 33-year-old James Joel Austin on Sunday, June 18. The 16-year-old allegedly shot Austin and then drove away in the victim’s Honda that was located in Washington, DC. Brown-Hawkins was not with the vehicle and has not been found.

Imes was taken into custody at his Bethesda Church Road home where Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes detectives, with the assistance of the MCPD SWAT Unit, executed a search warrant. A firearm was recovered during a search of the residence. Imes was placed under arrest for underage possession of a firearm and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he was also charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bond.

Police Offering Reward Up To $10,000 For Information Leading to Indictment of Suspect Who Shot and Killed Mechanic Last Year

By MCS Staff

Published August 2, 2023 at 7:49AM

The Takoma Park Police Criminal Investigations Division is actively investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at about 11:05 am. The victim Nurhusen Hamid (pictured below) was working as a mobile mechanic on the Advanced Auto Parts parking lot in the 6300 block of New Hampshire Ave, Takoma Park, Montgomery County, Maryland. An unknown suspect approached the victim and shot him. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect fled the parking lot on foot onto Eastern Ave and entered a waiting white in colored SUV then fleeing the area into the District of Columbia on New Hampshire Ave. Suspect is described as a black, male, wearing a white tee shirt, dark baseball cap and jeans.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call Detective Earle at 301-891-7127. Case #220030554 / CID #22-092 ([email protected]). Individuals with information may also contact Montgomery County Crime Solvers either by going to their website WWW.P3TIPS.COM, or by text message using the P3 mobile app. The app is available at the Android Playstore or Apple App Store – search for “P3 TIPS. Tipsters will remain anonymous and could be entitled to a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the person or persons responsible for this crime. Those without access to either may call 866-411-TIPS (8477).

Driver Who Struck and Killed Elderly Couple on Election Day Convicted of Vehicular Homicide While Under the Influence of Alcohol

By Patrick Herron

Published July 31, 2023 at 6:47PM

Courtesy Google Maps

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “After a bench trial today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the honorable Bibi Berry found defendant, Davinder Singh, 47, of Gaithersburg, guilty of Homicide by Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol, and multiple related charges. Singh faces up to ten years in prison and $14,000 in fines. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 20^th, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.

This stems from the Election Day collision on Tuesday, November 8^th, 2022, that occurred on School Drive in Gaithersburg which caused the deaths of 65-year-old Miguel Antonio Ortiz and 70-year-old Ana Margarita Ortiz. The married couple from Gaithersburg were crossing the street to vote at a school polling place. Assistant State’s Attorney Bryan Roslund is handling prosecution of this case.

Detectives Are Seeking Public’s Assistance to Identify Two Suspects Who Stole Construction Equipment in Gaithersburg

By MCS Staff

Published July 31, 2023 at 8:03AM

Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects who broke into a construction site and stole construction related equipment in the 10100 block of Washingtonian Boulevard in Gaithersburg– the site where The Carnegie at Washingtonian is being built, next to Life Time.

Per Gaithersburg Police: In July 2023, during the early morning hours, the two suspects entered the construction site and removed construction related equipment and electrical related property with a value of over $170,000. Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police – Investigative Section obtained surveillance video and photos of the suspects. Detectives describe suspect one as a male, thin build with short dark colored hair. The second suspect is a male with two distinguishing tattoos. The first tattoo is located on his left leg and the second tattoo is located on his right forearm.

Beyond MoCo: Five-Year-Old Girl Locked in Hot Car For Several Hours; Mother Arrested

By Patrick Herron

Published July 29, 2023 at 10:00AM

We learned the child had been inside the car for several hours while her mother was visiting at a home nearby. The 29-year-old mother from Glen Burnie, MD, will be criminally charged with Neglect of a Minor, Unattended Child Left Confined in a Vehicle and Reckless Endangerment.

Child Protective Services has been notified, per Maryland law, to investigate and determine if the family can benefit from other services. It’s never ok to leave a young child unattended but it is particularly dangerous to do so in a vehicle when there is a heat advisory. Even with a window partially down, temperatures rise quickly and can become deadly. Children, dependent adults and even pets should simply never be left alone in a vehicle during extreme temperatures. We’re heartened that someone saw something and said something and are thankful for a community that looks out for each other!”

Man Convicted of 2nd Degree Murder After Savage Stabbing in Rockville Sentenced to 28 Years

By Patrick Herron

Published July 28, 2023 at 3:46PM | Updated July 28, 2023 at 7:06PM

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today, in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Margaret Schweitzer sentenced defendant, Jaime Havier Lee, 43, of an unconfirmed address, to 40 years in prison suspend all but 28 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release.

Defendant That Burglarized Homes While Victims Were Traveling Faces up to 75 Years in Prison

By Patrick Herron

Published July 28, 2023 at 2:57PM

According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, on Thursday, July 7, “In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, before the Honorable Teresa Chernosky, a jury has found defendant, Jose Mazara, 27, of unknown address, guilty of three counts of First-Degree Burglary and one count of Felon in Possession of a Regulated Firearm, as well as conspiracy counts for each and some related charges.

The defendant burglarized three homes in the Takoma Park area in November 2022, stealing multiple items of jewelry and watches (estimated total value of $30,000) and a handgun with ammunition. The victims were away from their homes at the time of the break-ins. In one case, the family was traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday. Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Kroepsch is prosecuting this case and stated in court that Mazara targeted homes where newspapers and/or mail sat outside of the front door, indicating the likelihood that the occupants were not present. The defendant entered the homes through unlocked doors and windows, in one case, using a ladder from the yard to access a second story window. Mazara is facing up to 75 years in prison and is scheduled for a sentencing hearing at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2023.”

Man Accused of Killing Pregnant Girlfriend and Gas Station Attendant Ruled Competent to Stand Trial

By MCS Staff

Published July 27, 2023 at 5:58PM

Torrey Moore, the man accused of murdering his 8-month pregnant girlfriend, Denise Middleton, and a gas station clerk, Ayalew Wondimu, in White Oak last December was found competent to stand trial, according to a report by MyMCMedia. Moore was previously ruled not competent to stand trial. The trial for the murder of Wondimu begins April 8, 2024. Trial begins May 8 for the murder of Middleton and her unborn baby boy. The chilling details of what occurred last year can be seen below in the Statement of Charges, per the Montgomery County State’s Attorney:

“On 12/8/22 at 3:00 PM, Montgomery County Police responded to a convenience store at the Shell Gas station located at 11150 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, Ayalew Wondimu, a black male with date of birth of 11/6/61, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigation revealed the victim was working inside the store, behind the register when he was shot. Wondimu was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Suspects Armed With Axe Attempt to Break Into Olney Gas Station Twice

By MCS Staff

Published July 27, 2023 at 12:47PM

Per Montgomery County Police: Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects who attempted to break into the Exxon gas station on two separate occasions, in the 18000 block of Georgia Ave. in Olney (photos below).

On Sunday, July 2, 2023, at approximately 2:36 a.m., the two suspects were at the gas station, when one of them threw a rock at the front window in an attempt to get in the gas station. The suspects were not able to get in the store and did not obtain any property.