Police Archives - Page 7 of 32

Published November 29, 2022 at 8:20PM

The Independent Investigations Division will generally release the name of the decedent and discharging officers within 48 hours of the incident, though that period may be extended if there is a specific reason to believe that an officer’s safety is at risk. The deputies who discharged their firearms were not equipped with body-worn cameras. Other officers on the scene were wearing body-worn cameras, which recorded portions of the incident. The Independent Investigations Division will generally release body camera footage within 14 days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 14 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.

Gaithersburg

Maryland State Police: Pilot And Passenger Transported To Area Hospital After Successful Rescue Operation In Montgomery Co.

By Patrick Herron

Published November 28, 2022 at 8:46AM

Per the Maryland State Police: The pilot and passenger of a single engine plane that crashed yesterday into a power line tower in Montgomery County have been rescued and transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.

The pilot is identified as Patrick Merkle, 66, of Washington, D.C. He was operating a Mooney Mike 20P single engine plane. One passenger on board is identified as Janet Williams, 66, of Marrero, Louisiana. Following the rescue operation, both occupants were transported to Suburban Hospital for medical treatment.

Maryland

Pilot and Passenger Identified; Maryland State Police Release Additional Information on Sunday Night Plane Crash in Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village

By Patrick Herron

Published November 27, 2022 at 10:10PM

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are on the scene of a single engine plane crash in Montgomery County where rescue efforts are underway. The plane involved is a Mooney Mike 20P single engine plane. The pilot is identified as Patrick Merkle, 65, of Washington, D.C. The passenger is identified as Jan Williams, 66, of Louisiana. Both the pilot and the passenger are reportedly unharmed inside the aircraft awaiting rescue.

Shortly before 6:00 p.m. today, Maryland State Police at the Rockville Barrack were dispatched to the report of a plane crash located about four miles northwest of the Montgomery County Airpark in the area of Goshen Road and Rothbury Drive. Arriving troopers found the plane suspended in the air, entangled in a power line tower. Maryland State Police from the College Park and Rockville Barracks are on the scene along with emergency medical service personnel from Montgomery County. Personnel from the Potomac Electric Power Company are also on scene.

Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Maryland State Police Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Hit-And-Run Crash In Harford County

By Patrick Herron

Published November 26, 2022 at 1:52PM | Updated November 26, 2022 at 2:26PM

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash in which one person died and two others were injured early this morning in Harford County. Shortly before 2:15 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police JFK Memorial Highway Barrack responded to southbound Interstate 95 in Aberdeen, Maryland for a report of a hit-and-run crash involving pedestrians. According to a preliminary investigation, three pedestrians were on the shoulder of the road putting gasoline into a vehicle, when a white sedan with tinted windows, for unknown reasons, veered onto the shoulder and struck the pedestrians. One victim, identified as Guiermo Che, 19, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was declared deceased at the scene. Two other victims were transported by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Investigators are continuing to search for the suspect vehicle, which they believe was a white 2013-2017 Audi A5 or S5. It was last seen getting off of I-95 South at Exit 85. The vehicle may have damage to the right front bumper, headlight and fog light. The Maryland State Police Crash Team are investigating the case. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the JFK Memorial Highway Barrack at 410-537-1150. The case remains under investigation.

Maryland

Maryland State Police To Increase Patrols As Motorists Take To The Road Ahead Of Thanksgiving

By Patrick Herron

Published November 23, 2022 at 1:13PM

Per the Maryland State Police: With more than 1 million Marylanders expected to travel 50 or more miles over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Maryland State Police will be increasing patrols to ensure motorists arrive safely at their destination.

Maryland State Police will be conducting saturation patrols at each of the 23 barracks with a focus on impaired, aggressive and distracted driving. The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort team, otherwise known as the SPIDRE team, will also be patrolling this weekend. The goal of the SPIDRE team is to focus on removing these dangerous drivers from Maryland highways who endanger the lives of other motorists. Enforcement will be bolstered by impaired driving saturation patrol funds from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office.

Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: $100,000 Reward Offered For Information Leading to Arrest, Conviction of Suspect in 2003 Carroll County Murder

By Patrick Herron

Published November 22, 2022 at 1:15PM

Per the Maryland State Police: As Maryland State Police continue to investigate the 2003 murder of a Carroll County man, the family of the victim is now offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the victim’s death. The victim, Richard Atkins Jr., 30, of Westminster, Maryland, was found by family members beaten to death around 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 29, 2003 in his apartment in the 100 block of East Main Street. Investigators believe Atkins was targeted and robbery was motive in this case.

According to investigators, the person(s) responsible for Atkins’ death went to his apartment on or about Dec. 27, 2003 looking for money. When Adkins declined the request, he was beaten with a blunt object before those responsible stole cash and DVDs from the apartment. Anyone with information may contact Sgt. Christopher Taylor of the Maryland State Police Cold Case Unit at 410-996-7881.

Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Jerry Jones to Retire, Names Lt. Colonel Roland Butler as Acting Superintendent

By Patrick Herron

Published November 16, 2022 at 9:42PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today announced that Maryland State Police (MSP) Superintendent Colonel Woodrow W. “Jerry” Jones, III, has notified him of his intent to retire at the end of the year after 35 years in law enforcement. The governor has named Lt. Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr. to serve as acting superintendent. “Maryland is fortunate to have the finest state police organization in the entire country, and Colonel Jones has continued that tradition with steady and principled leadership of the highest caliber,” said Governor Hogan. “I have relied on Jerry’s advice and counsel throughout the crises and challenges we’ve navigated over the last few years. We are deeply grateful for his decades of dedicated service to the state.”

Prior to becoming superintendent in February 2020, Colonel Jones served more than four years as chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. “When I was hired as a Maryland State Police cadet just a few weeks after graduation from high school, I never in my most ambitious visions thought I would reach the pinnacle of my law enforcement career by serving in Governor Hogan’s administration,” said Colonel Jones. “It has been my greatest privilege to lead the committed individuals who are a part of the Maryland Department of State Police. They possess a dedication to duty that is evidenced each day in their selfless public safety service to the people of our state. The amount of good done each day across this state by our troopers and civilian employees is awe-inspiring. I will forever be proud of the opportunity I have had to serve the people of Maryland for 35 years as a law enforcement professional.”

Beyond MoCo

Maryland State Police Release Video Footage Of Fatal Road Rage Shooting In Prince George’s County

By Patrick Herron

Published November 14, 2022 at 2:11PM

Per the Maryland State Police: As the investigation continues into a fatal road rage incident that claimed the life of a tow truck driver in Prince George’s County, police are releasing video footage and asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit.

On Saturday, March 19, 2022, Delonte Hicks, a 29-year-old tow truck driver, of Washington, D.C. was shot while traveling on eastbound Route 50 at Veterans Parkway in Prince George’s County. At approximately 5:45 p.m. police believe Hicks was exchanging words with the driver of a black passenger car (pictured below) when he pulled out a weapon and fired into the vehicle, striking Hicks. The gunman continued eastbound on Route 50.

Gaithersburg

School Drive in Gaithersburg Closed Tuesday Morning Due to Collision

By Patrick Herron

Published November 8, 2022 at 9:08AM | Updated November 8, 2022 at 10:21AM

UPDATE: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call in the area of Fields Road Elementary School in Gaitherburg at approximately 7:20am on Tuesday morning. Two pedestrians were struck by a driver on School Drive (near Muddy Branch Rd). Both patients were transported to the hospital with priority 1 trauma (life-threatening injuries) according to MCFRS Public Information Officer Pete Piringer.

According to Gaithersburg Police, School Drive is closed but voters can still park and vote at Fields Road Elementary School if they enter from Muddy Branch Road side. Drivers are also advised to seek alternate routes.

Crime

Woman Injured After Shots Fired During Apparent Road Rage Incident on 270 in Frederick Co.

By Patrick Herron

Published November 7, 2022 at 9:22AM

Per the Maryland State Police: (Nov 07, 2022 ) Maryland State Police are searching for the person who fired shots at a vehicle in Frederick County this evening that injured a woman during an apparent road rage incident. The victim, not being identified at this time, was driving a dark blue Jeep Wrangler at the time of the incident. She was transported by medevac to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where she is receiving treatment for the injuries sustained in the incident.

The victim told Maryland state troopers from the Frederick Barrack that shortly before 7:45 p.m. today, she was traveling on I-270 North near the 26-mile marker. The suspect vehicle was driving behind her and flashing high beams.The victim said he changed lanes and was adjacent with her vehicle when the driver displayed a gun and fired shots into the victim’s car. She was struck in the leg. The suspect vehicle then continued driving northbound on I-270 in Frederick. Police do not have a vehicle or suspect description at this time. Troopers examining the area where the incident occurred found evidence indicating multiple shots may have been fired. The victim was traveling alone.

Beyond MoCo

Maryland State Police Helicopter Crew Rescue Injured Hiker At Sugarloaf Mountain

By Patrick Herron

Published November 6, 2022 at 9:14AM

Per the Maryland State Police: The crew of a Maryland State Police helicopter responded to a remote mountainous area yesterday to conduct an aerial rescue of an injured hiker. Yesterday at 2:30 p.m., the crew of Maryland State Police helicopter Trooper 3, based in Frederick, Maryland, responded to Sugarloaf Mountain to assist in the rescue of a hiker. The hiker had experienced a medical emergency near the summit of the mountain and faced an almost hour time for evacuation by ground.

Based on information received from multiple 911 calls, it was determined that an aerial hoist rescue would be the fastest and most efficient means of extracting the patient from the mountain. While Trooper 3 was launching, crews were able to reach the patient on the ground and confirmed the aerial extraction would be required.