Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying suspects who committed a commercial burglary.
On Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at approximately 10:50 a.m., 3rd District officers responded to the Pizza Castle restaurant in the 11270 block of New Hampshire Ave. for the report of a burglary that occurred earlier.
Montgomery Blair Principal Renay Johnson sent the following message to the Blair community on Friday, September 21, regarding an incident that took place at the school which involved students at the school performing an antisemitic salute:
One of our students reported witnessing a distressing incident during our lunch period. A group of students were observed outside filming themselves performing an antisemitic salute. We take this incident seriously, as it goes against our school’s core values of respect, tolerance, and inclusion. A report was made to the Montgomery County Police, and we are conducting thorough investigations to understand the motivations behind this behavior and to prevent any future incidents.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to the 8400 blk of Old Georgetown Road, near Greenwich Neighborhood Park, in Bethesda for the report of a child pedestrian struck by a driver. According to Montgomery County Police, Old Georgetown Road is closed at Glenwood Rd. Drivers should seek an alternate route and expect significant delays.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Old Georgetown Road at Glenwood Road is shut down following a collision.
Drivers should seek an alternate route. #MCPD #MCPNews pic.twitter.com/rRwe3ctVAc
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today, in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Karla Smith sentenced defendant, Dakari Thomas, 20, of Silver Spring, to 25 years in prison suspending all but 12 years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release. Judge Smith recommended Thomas be admitted into the Patuxent Youthful Offenders program while incarcerated.
On July 6, 2023, Thomas pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the stabbing death of Getro Marius Benamna. The defendant and victim encountered one another along the 900 block of Ellsworth Drive in Silver Spring on December 7th, 2021 and began to conduct a drug transaction. Thomas was attempting to pass off another substance as marijuana. The two men became involved in a physical altercation and Thomas produced a knife, fatally stabbing Benamna. Assistant State’s Attorneys Cortenous Herbert and John Lalos prosecuted this case.”
We will provide an update if additional information becomes available.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) responded to a collision with vehicle fire on Friday, September 22 on Great Seneca Highway, near Wisteria Dr. in Germantown. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, “Several people left the scene quickly, otherwise vehicle fire is being being extinguished. It appears people that left the scene are in the company of police.
We will provide an update if additional information becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of @shxt_idk on Instagram.
Fernando J. Herrera-Rivera, age 23, of Gaithersburg, has been charged with six counts of 2nd degree arson in connection with a spree of fires that occurred early morning on Sunday, September 17 in Gaithersburg. Herrea-Rivera was arrested in the area of N. Frederick Ave that same morning after police used video surveillance footage and witness accounts to identify him. Herrera-Rivera was also wanted on a bench warrant for an unrelated charge and is currently being held without bond.
According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, at 2:30am on September 17, approximately 75 firefighters responded to multiple fires at the Holbrook Center (across from Gaithersburg High School) at 400blk S. Frederick Ave. near Education Blvd. Around 3:15am, MCFRS units then responded to 3 Russell Ave (La Frontera/Taco Bar) and found several vehicles and businesses on fire. There was an additional outside fire also located near the Gaithersburg Police Department building at 14 Fulks Corner Ave that morning. Damage is estimated to be $1,250,000 ($500,000 structure/$750,000 contents.)
The Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jose Rauda-Ayala. Rauda-Ayala, 42, was last seen on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, in the 500 block of Thayer Avenue in Silver Spring. He is 5-feet, 9-inches tall, 180 Ibs., with black hair, brown eyes, and medium complexion.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jose Rauda-Ayala is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).
Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Karen Cruz Garza, a missing 15-year-old. Garza was last seen on Saturday, September 16, 2023, around 11:30 p.m., in the 13100 block of Ideal Drive in Glenmont. She is 4’10″, 130 lbs., with black hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and black ripped jeans with white sneakers.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Karen Cruz Garza is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect who committed an armed carjacking and strong-arm robbery in Silver Spring.
On August 29, 2023, at approximately 2:14 a.m., 3rd District officers responded to the to the 8060 block of 13th St. for the report of a robbery that just occurred.
Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division have arrested and charged 31-year-old Freddy Obi with an attempted armed carjacking and strong-arm carjacking, both of which occurred on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in the Burtonsville and Silver Spring areas.
At approximately 6:13 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the 14900 block of Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville for the report of an attempted armed carjacking. Unable to take the vehicle, the suspect was observed leaving the scene in a white Ford Fusion with significant damage to the back bumper.