Beyond MoCo

The Maryland Attorney General released the following press release on January 26, 2023:  Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the plea and sentencing of Darvin Kevin McCoy, 36, of Odenton, Maryland, on charges including drug kingpin and supervision of a criminal organization, which relate to a long-term investigation into a fentanyl distribution ring that was operating in Howard County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County.

On January 23, 2023, McCoy pled guilty before Judge Stephanie P. Porter of the Howard County Circuit Court to several charges, including drug kingpin, supervision of a criminal organization, conspiracy to commit robbery, solicitation of robbery, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of a firearm with nexus to a drug trafficking crime, possession of a large amount of fentanyl mixture, and two counts of distribution of fentanyl. The robbery charges pertained to McCoy’s role in the robbery of money, drugs, and jewelry of a co-conspirator as a sanction for transgressions against the criminal organization. McCoy was sentenced to 20 years of incarceration without the possibility of parole.


Silver Spring

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) – 3rd District Investigative Section have charged 41-year-old Harold Barnes, of Washington, D.C., with the armed robbery of a U.S. Postal carrier that occurred on Monday, January 23, 2023, in the 800 block of Hudson Ave. in Silver Spring.

The joint investigation by detectives from MCPD and U.S. Postal Inspection Service has revealed that the adult male victim was delivering mail at the location when Barnes approached him, pointed a firearm and demanded his property. The victim handed over his property to Barnes, who then left the scene.


Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg and Montgomery County Police responded to reports of a shooting on Tuesday morning in Gaithersburg. According to Gaithersburg Police, “Detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred in the 400 block of N Summit Ave. At 6:28 a.m, ofcs from GPD & @mcpnews responded to the area for the report of a shooting that just occurred. Ofcs located 2 adult victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.”

We will post an update when additional information is available. Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “400blk N Summit Ave near Girard St, Gaithersburg, assault, several persons injured, @mcfrs M708, A708B, PE708, EMS703 assisting PD”


Rockville

The investigation by detectives has revealed that at approximately 10:50 a.m., two unknown suspects entered a UPS truck, while the driver was inside a building making deliveries. Once inside, the two suspects forced their way into the back of the truck and stole multiple packages.  A third suspect, wearing a security uniform stood in the area as a lookout. All three suspects left the scene in two separate vehicles of similar style.


Kensington

Per MCPD: Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Patrol Services are investigating a theft of a gorilla statue that occurred on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Design Emporium Antiques in the 4000 block of Howard Ave. in Kensington. Detectives have released video of the male suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

The investigation has revealed that at approximately 3:18 a.m., the suspect arrived at the store in an older model Chevrolet Colorado Z71, got out of the vehicle and approached the statute. The suspect then cut the cable that was locking the statue to the front of the store, loaded it into the truck and left the scene.  Officers reviewed the surveillance cameras of the store and obtained a physical description of the suspect.  The suspect is described as a White male, approximately 5-feet, 10-inches tall, medium build, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, light gray sweatpants and light-colored shoes.


Germantown

The investigation by detectives determined that the victim placed a PlayStation 4 (PS4) for sale on Snapchat. The victim and suspect agreed to meet at the victim’s house to complete the sale. Two suspects arrived at the victim’s home and when the victim gave the first suspect the PS4, he stated that he was not going to pay it. A struggle occurred between the two suspects and the victim. At some point, the first suspect produced a handgun and hit the victim with it, causing minor injuries. The suspects ran away without any property. While running, the first suspect tripped causing the gun to go off.  The first suspect is described as a Black male, 6-feet, 2-inches tall, 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.


Silver Spring

Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 4th District Investigative Section are investigating a commercial burglary that occurred on Friday, January 13, 2023, at the Tobacco Cloud store in the 11300 block of Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring. Detectives have released surveillance photos of the two male suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.

At approximately 5:19 a.m., 4th District officers responded to the location for the report of a commercial burglary alarm.  The investigation by detectives has revealed that the two suspects forced entry into the store, stole an undisclosed amount of merchandise and left the scene.


Beyond MoCo

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at the Mount Airy Police Department at 301-703-1374 or via email at [email protected]. Callers may remain anonymous.


Germantown

Per MCPD:  Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating a Germantown home invasion. On Monday, January 23, 2023, at approximately 2:58 a.m., 5th District officers responded to the 21100 block of Archstone Way for the report of a home invasion that just occurred.

The investigation by detectives determined that three suspects, armed with handguns, broke into the residence shouting, “Montgomery County Police, get down on the ground,” and demanded cash and property. At some point, a physical altercation occurred and one of the four victims, an adult male, was struck in the back of the head, causing minor injuries. The suspects left the residence without any money or property. As they were leaving, the same victim chased the suspects down a stairwell, when one of the suspects fired a single shot toward the victim, who was not struck. The three suspects were wearing dark clothing and ski masks.


Beyond MoCo

In April 2022, the Maryland Office of the Attorney General and the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) began a joint investigation into the members and associates of a drugtrafficking organization known as “Wick Squad,” which operated in and around the 2500 block of Edmondson Avenue in West Baltimore. The investigation utilized a variety of investigative methods, including the use of undercover BPD detectives to make controlled purchases of narcotics, including Fentanyl. The investigation culminated in search warrants and arrests in October 2022. The most recent arrest took place in January 2023. In total, the investigation led to the seizure of 11 firearms and large amounts of controlled dangerous substances (CDS), ammunition, and packaging material.

On December 6, 2022, Arthur Beard, 29, of Baltimore, pled guilty before the Honorable Kendra Y. Ausby of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City to loaded handgun on person and possession of CDS. Beard was sentenced to four years of incarceration, suspending all but three years. Upon his release from incarceration, he will be on two years of supervised probation.


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