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.


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 10th 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


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.


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.


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.”


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:


At approximately 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Rockville City Police responded to the 700 block of Fallsgrove Drive for the report of an armed robbery.

According to Rockville Police, a food delivery driver was approached by two men in their late teens to early 20’s dressed in all black clothing. The suspects displayed a handgun, robbed the victim of cash and fled on foot. The victim was not injured. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Rockville City Police Criminal Investigations Unit at 240-314-8938, as always callers may choose to remain anonymous. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


On February 12, 2023, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Rockville City Police Officers responded to the 400 block of McArthur Drive for a report of a stabbing that just occurred. Upon arrival, officers discovered a male victim suffering from multiple stab wounds to his face and head. Officers immediately rendered first aid and the victim was transported to a local area hospital where he is recovering in stable condition.

During the course of the investigation, the Rockville City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect, Santos A. Gomez-Gonzalez, 24, of the 400 block of McArthur Drive, charging him with Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Assault-First Degree, Assault-Second Degree, and Reckless Endangerment.


Per Takoma Park Police Chief, Antonio DeVaul: We are very concerned about the increase in violent crime in Takoma Park. These violent incidents that have plagued our region are now impacting our City far too frequently. We are doing everything we can to address the increase in crime in Takoma Park. This includes increased patrols, both uniform, and plainclothes, as well as overtime details to put more officers in identified “hot spot” problem areas. We want to make sure criminals know that Takoma Park is not a “soft target.”

We ask that residents continue to act as our eyes and ears, “if you see something say something.” Community members can also leave anonymous tips on our 911 Tip Line,   Residents’ calls/tips have led to officers being able to make arrests for in-progress crimes and have also provided information that has helped us solve crimes.


On February 14, at approximately 9:59 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the unit block of Philadelphia Avenue for the report of an armed home invasion robbery. According to police, the victim was sitting in her kitchen when a male suspect dressed all in black clothing and a full mask covering his face walked in and placed an object to the back of her neck and demanded property (victim believed it to be a gun or a taser).  The victim complied.  After taking property, the suspect had her walk into a closet in the back bedroom while he continued to rummage through her purse.

The suspect fled the residence with property and the victim’s car keys, however, he was unable to take her vehicle because there was a vehicle blocking it.  The suspect fled on foot running towards Carroll Avenue from Park Avenue. A lookout was provided to all surrounding jurisdictions.  A K9 track with the assistance of Montgomery County Police yielded negative results.  A neighborhood canvass was conducted that yielded more witnesses.


Per MCPD: A 21-year-old Berwyn Heights, MD man is facing multiple weapons charges after being arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. On Saturday, February 11, at approximately 6:05 p.m., a Montgomery County Department of Police 3rd District patrol officer identified a stolen vehicle traveling southbound on Columbia Pike at Tech Road.  The officer radioed for assistance and once back-up arrived, attempted to make a traffic stop.

The driver of the 2009 Kia Spectra, later identified as Shaquan Demetrius Evans, fled southbound on RT 29 and became stuck in traffic at a red light on SB New Hampshire Ave. at Schindler Drive.   Evans attempted to drive between the stopped vehicles hitting two cars, causing minor damage.  The occupants in the two vehicles did not sustain any injuries. Evans bailed out of the Kia and ran into a nearby residential neighborhood.  Another 3D officer found Evans hiding in a back yard. Evans again ran, with officers following. After a brief chase, officers apprehended Evans a few houses away in the 10800 block of New Hampshire Ave. K9 officers located a Glock 29 10mm handgun in the backyard where Evans was hiding.


View More Stories