Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating, Jennifer Soto Muralles, a missing 16-year-old from Takoma Park.

Muralles was last seen on Thursday, February, 2, 2023, between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., in the 8500 block of Greenwood Avenue. Muralles is 5-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds. She has blue hair and brown eyes. She has a tattoo of a flower on her hand and another on the inside of her left forearm. She was last seen wearing a brown t-shirt and sweater, black pants and black boots.


Per Takoma Park Police: On January 31, 2023, at approximately 12:10 am, Takoma Park Detectives were in the area of 4th Avenue and Eastern Avenue patrolling when they observed three occupants in a vehicle that was stolen.  While attempting to conduct a traffic stop, the occupants of the vehicle bailed out and fled on foot.  All three subjects were apprehended.

There was one adult 18-year-old male and two juvenile males, 15 and 17, all of Washington, D.C.  The juveniles were released to the custody of a parent and/or guardian.  Charges are pending.  This investigation is ongoing and will be updated


On January 30, at approximately 6:35 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 300 block of Tulip Avenue for the report of an attempted armed robbery. According to Takoma Park Police, the victim was walking on Tulip Avenue when she was approached by four unknown suspects who had gotten out of a light colored sedan.  The suspects demanded property from the victim at gunpoint.  At this time, another vehicle/witness pulled up near the victim and the victim screamed.  The suspects abandoned their efforts and got back into their vehicle and fled the area heading towards the District of Columbia.

No suspect descriptions.  A lookout was provided to all surrounding jurisdictions. Investigation continues under case #230004936.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


Earlier this month it was reported by Source of the Spring that Mark’s Kitchen, a Takoma Park staple for 32 years, would be closing permanently. Recently, a sign was placed on the door stating the following: “Sorry for the confusion. Mark’s Kitchen will remain open until the business is sold.” A second sign below it states: “We do not know what is the last day. Sorry.” A third sign below that one states: “Thank you for your patience with this ongoing uncertainty.”

About Mark’s Kitchen: “Welcome to Mark’s Kitchen, a small neighborhood restaurant with an amazingly big menu full of so many choices that everyone can easily find something that will make them happy. Mark’s Kitchen is a very friendly place. It’s vegetarian-friendly, vegan-friendly, carnivore-friendly, kid-friendly, traditional family-friendly, alternative family-friendly and everyone else-friendly. A full meal or a light meal, a complete breakfast – most of which is available all day long – fresh juices, craft beers, wines, wonderful milkshakes, great ice cream desserts. That’s Mark’s Kitchen, a Takoma Park institution since 1990.


According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable John Maloney sentenced defendant, Abraham Douglas, 21, of Washington D.C. to life in prison plus an additional 25 years for the death of Ahamdou Bamba Gueye, 23, of Takoma Park.” Douglas received life for the first-degree murder charge, plus 20 years consecutive for Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony and another five years consecutive for Third-Degree Burglary. Douglas was convicted in December, 2022. 

This stems from an incident on April 22, 2022, in broad daylight, in the parking lot of the Park Richie Apartments located at 7600 Maple Avenue in Takoma Park. Douglas can be seen on surveillance video exiting the passenger side of a vehicle, walking in the direction where a group of people were gathered off screen and then starting to run. In court, Assistant State’s Attorneys Marybeth Ayres and Lauren Turner explained that Douglas, wearing a ski mask, targeted Bamba Gueye, running toward him and shooting him in the back at close range. The bullet passed through the victim’s body, killing him, and then struck a nearby vehicle. Douglas also accidentally shot himself in the leg as he fled. He broke into a nearby apartment where he was ultimately located by responding officers with Takoma Park Police. Investigators recovered a 9mm pistol, a large 50 round drum magazine and red tipped bullets from the apartment.


On January 29, at approximately 4:06 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7600 block of Maple Avenue for an assault that had just occurred.

According to Takoma Park Police, units arrived to find a victim who had been assaulted by an unknown male subject who he described as a black male, approximately 5’7, last seen wearing all black clothing with a black cap.  Officers canvassed the surrounding areas with negative results.  The victim was transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.


I am deeply disturbed by the actions of the five Memphis police officers in the murder of Tyre Nichols. Watching the video of the beating death of Mr. Nichols at the hands of Memphis police officers was extremely difficult and brought me to tears.  The actions taken by the involved officers were merciless, heinous, and incredibly disturbing and went against the basic law enforcement principle of preserving life. The lack of compassion, abuse of power, and use of excessive force were inhumane and inexcusable. I am glad to see swift action was taken, and the five police officers involved in the murder of Tyre Nichols and the two firemen who failed to render proper medical care to Mr. Nichols have been fired. I am also glad to see the five police officers charged with murder and other criminal charges.

We can no longer sit back and allow these incidents to happen. Real change must happen. The fact that both Mr. Nichols and the five officers involved were African-American was not lost on me.  As your police chief, I am acknowledging the role traditional police culture plays in many of these horrific incidents. The fact that the officers who murdered Mr. Nichols were assigned to a unit called the “Scorpions” speaks volumes about the mission of the unit and the mentality of the officers in the unit.


On January 27, at approximately 4:00 pm, Takoma Park Police responded to the 6500 block of New Hampshire Avenue (Pupuseria Luisa food truck) for the report of a strong arm robbery that occurred earlier. This is the second armed robbery reported by the food truck in two weeks.

According to Takoma Park Police, at approximately 2:47 pm, two suspects entered the food truck through a side service window.  After stealing property, the suspects exited through the rear hatch of the truck and fled on foot towards Ray Road. The suspects are described as (1) Hispanic male, unknown race, last seen wearing a black face mask, white hoodie and khaki pants; (2) Hispanic male, unknown race, last seen wearing a black face mask and all black clothing.


On January 26, at approximately 9:11 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 700 block of Devonshire Avenue for an attempted shed burglary. Sometime overnight, unknown suspect(s) attempted to pry open the locks on the victim’s shed but was unsuccessful.  Property was not stolen. Investigation continues under case #230004230. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100.

On January 26, at approximately 9:20 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 700 block of Ethan Allen Avenue for the report of an attempt stolen auto.  Unknown suspect(s) attempted to steal the victim’s vehicle sometime between 10:00 pm January 25 and 9:00 am January 26.  The suspect pulled wires and damaged the steering wheel column; however, was unsuccessful in stealing the vehicle. Investigation continues under case #230004232.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100.


On January 24, at approximately 4:20 am, Takoma Park Police responded to the 7600 block of Maple Avenue for the report of an attempt armed robbery. The victim was walking towards her front door when a suspect approached and blocked her from entering her building.  The suspect attempted to take property from the victim unsuccessfully.  The suspect fled in an unknown color older model jeep.  The victim reported seeing a handgun protruding from the suspect’s front pocket.

The suspect is described as an unknown race male, last seen wearing a blue winter jacket, white t-shirt, black jeans, black shoes and a black ski mask. Investigation continues under case #23000394.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call us at 301-270-1100. Information per Takoma Park Police. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


The Police Department and Ward 3 City Councilmember Randy Gibson will be holding a community meeting to discuss public safety issues in Ward 3.   Police Department staff will be providing an update on recent incidents in Ward 3 and provide an overall overview of crime stats/trends and security measures put in place to address these trends.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, January 26, 2023 from 7pm-9pm at the Takoma Park City Building, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland, 2nd Floor Azalea Room.  The meeting will be in-person and a Zoom Webinar will also be available to join and ask questions.  To register for the meeting, the link is:  https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g5qFKHc2SR2YBB_9nnmPqQ


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