MCPD Archives - Page 203 of 241

Montgomery County Police Officer Indicted for Involvement in January 6 Insurrection; Recently Involved in Shooting Death of Suspect Armed With Butcher Knife

Published October 19, 2023 at 3:15PM

According to the United State’s District Attorney’s Office, Montgomery County Police Officer Justin Lee, 25, of Rockville, has been charged in a seven-count indictment that was unsealed today in the District of Columbia with offenses including assaulting a law enforcement officer and obstructing, impeding, or interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder. Lee is accused of “entering and remaining in the U.S. Capitol grounds while the Vice President was and would be temporarily visiting without lawful authority to do so and engaging in disruptive conduct, physical violence, and disorderly conduct while on restricted grounds of the Capitol.” Montgomery County Police released the following statement announcing his supension:

“The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) announces the suspension of Officer Justin Lee without pay as a result of his involvement and subsequent indictment in connection with the events of the January 6 insurrection. In July of 2023, MCPD was informed that Officer Justin Lee was the subject of an FBI investigation. Prior to his suspension, Lee had been on administrative leave for his involvement in the shooting death of an armed suspect on July 22. The Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division is currently overseeing the investigation into this incident to ensure a thorough and impartial examination of the facts.

Concern for Missing 26-Year Old Last Seen September 28

By Patrick Herron

Published October 19, 2023 at 2:05PM

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police- Missing Persons/Cold Case Unit are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Isabel Echeverria Silva, a missing 26-year-old. Silva was last seen on Thursday, September 28, 2023, in the 9300 block of Cherry Hill Road in College Park. She is 4-feet, 11-inches tall, 105 Ibs., with brown eyes and brown hair.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Isabel Echeverria Silva is asked to call the Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 12-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 2:47PM

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Cesar Urial Gomez Valasquez. Gomez Valasquez was last seen on Monday, October 16, 2023, at approximately 8 a.m. in the 300 block of University Boulevard East in Silver Spring. He is 5’6″, 130 lbs., with black hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing black sweatpants with white stripe, black shirt with rose design and a black sweatshirt.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Cesar Urial Gomez Valasquez is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 15-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 2:44PM

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Xavier Beltran. Beltran was last seen on Monday, October 16, 2023, at approximately 1 a.m., in the 200 block of Poplar Spring Road in Rockville. He is 5’6″, 120 Ibs., with black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a black hat, black hoodie and black sweatpants.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Xavier Beltran is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

Update: Report of Germantown Kidnapping Determined to be Unfounded

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 2:29PM

Per MCPD: The Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigation Division has determined the report of a kidnapping involving a 13-year-old girl to be unfounded. On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, the girl reported that she was kidnapped by two suspects, described as Hispanic and Black males, between 3 – 3:15 p.m. She alleged that the suspects approached her in a dark sedan in Germantown, and forced her into the car. The girl reported that at some point, she was able to get out of the vehicle, where she was located by a resident and transported to an area hospital by Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel for evaluation.

Through the course of the investigation, detectives determined that the report was unfounded and there is no threat to the community or to the safety of children.

Update: Officer in Critical Condition After Being Intentionally Struck by Driver on I-270

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 2:16PM | Updated October 18, 2023 at 2:44PM

Montgomery County Police held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon to give an update on an incident that occurred early this morning on I-270 north that involved an officer being struck by a driver. The injured officer has been identified as Patrick Kepp, 36, who currently serves on the Alcohol Initiatives Unit. According to Police Chief Marcus Jones, Kepp has lost the use of both of his legs and remains in critical conditions.

The suspect has been identified as Frederick Raphael Mayorga, 19, of Frederick, MD. Mayorga is said to be well known to Montgomery County Police due to several prior incidents, and has a reputation for attempting to provoke officers into high speed chases. Prior to the incident, officers were monitoring Mayorga, who was seen driving a green Dodge Challenger recklessly at the Clarksburg Outlets and on I-270. Jones said officers did not pursue Mayorga.

Police Investigating Kidnapping Incident Involving 13-Year-Old Girl in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published October 18, 2023 at 1:58AM | Updated October 18, 2023 at 7:09AM

Per MCPD: The Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) is actively investigating a reported kidnapping incident involving a 13-year-old girl.

Preliminarily, the girl reported that between 3 – 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, she was approached by two male suspects in a dark grey sedan near the intersection of Waring Station Road and Stoney Bottom Road in Germantown. The suspects allegedly got out of the vehicle and forced the girl into the car.

Four Charged with Killing and Burying 18-Year-Old Woman in Shallow Grave in Olney

By Patrick Herron

Published October 17, 2023 at 4:39PM

Rivera-Delgado was arrested for a parole violation in Nevada and extradited to Maryland on Tuesday, September 29, 2023. The 23-year-old suspect led Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes detectives to the location where Sanchez Merino was buried. On October 1, 2023, an autopsy of Sanchez Merino was conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the death was ruled a homicide.

Police and Family Concerned for Missing 15-Year-Old

By Patrick Herron

Published October 17, 2023 at 3:32PM

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Alisson Fernanda Alfaro Quinonez, a missing 15-year-old from Gaithersburg. Alfaro Quinonez was last seen on Monday, October 16, 2023, at approximatley 9 a.m., in the 100 block of Sharpstead Lane in Gaithersburg. She is 5’1″, 97 Ibs., with long brown hair, brown eyes, and has a dimple on her left cheek. She was last seen wearing pajamas and crocs.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Alisson Fernanda Alfaro Ouinonez is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

Pedestrian Hospitalized With Minor Injuries After Being Struck by Driver Tuesday Morning Near Northwood High School

By Patrick Herron

Published October 17, 2023 at 11:46AM | Updated October 17, 2023 at 4:47PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) and Montgomery County Police responded to a collision involving a pedestrian on Tuesday, October 17. According to police, “MCPD responded to the 900 block of University Blvd. for the report of a collision involving a pedestrian. The driver of the striking vehicle remained on scene. An adult male was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. This is an ongoing investigation.”

We will provide an update if additional information becomes available. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.

Wheaton Mall and MCPD to Host “Boo Bash”

By Patrick Herron

Published October 16, 2023 at 4:30PM

Westfield Wheaton Mall (11160 Veirs Mill Rd) and Montgomery County Police will host their 2nd annual Boo Bash on Sunday, October 29 from 12-3pm. According to Westfield, “this free Halloween event offers festive fun for all ages including a safety stage show, costume contest and a card and candy donation design center (in partnership with the National Institute of Health) benefitting children who are unable to trick-or-treat this year. Attendees can get creative with cupcake decorating, pumpkin painting, and witnessing a “zombie apocalypse” via social media. After getting down at a family dance party, enjoy trick-or-treating throughout the mall until 4pm. All activities will take place in the lower level Macy’s Court.