Police Archives - Page 9 of 32

Published October 12, 2022 at 10:35AM

Maryland’s DNA database, housed at the State Police Forensic Sciences Division laboratory, has now recorded 10,000 positive comparisons, or “hits,” as they are commonly referred to. A positive comparison occurs when DNA obtained from a crime victim or scene is matched with either DNA from a known offender sample or DNA from another crime scene. Matches occur using CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System, which enables access to both the Maryland DNA database and the National DNA database.

Last month, scientists at the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division forwarded information to investigators with Homeland Security Investigations and the Prince George’s County Police Department that the 10,000th positive DNA comparison through the use of Maryland’s DNA database was connected to an open 2020 drug case they are investigating.

Gaithersburg

Park Police Asking for Public’s Help Identifying Subject Wanted in a Crime at Hunters Woods Local Park in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

Published October 11, 2022 at 2:05PM

On Tuesday, Maryland Park Police sent out a tweet asking for help to identify a subject wanted in a crime at Hunters Woods Local Park in Gaithersburg on October 8 at 12:15 pm. If you have information, please contact investigators at 301-929-2748 or [email protected] and reference case # 22001790.

Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Maryland State Police Aviation Crew Rescue Injured Hunter Who Fell From Tree In Howard County

By Patrick Herron

Published October 11, 2022 at 9:05AM

The aviation crew from Washington Section, Trooper 2, based out of Joint Base Andrews Air Force Base, configured the helicopter for an aerial hoist rescue and responded to the scene. While enroute, it was determined that an ATV would not be able to reach the patient. Due to the extended distance and extrication coupled with the patient’s significant injuries, it was requested that Trooper 2 hoist the patient out of the wooded area and transport the patient.

As the pilots located the extrication site in the wooded area, the pilots maneuvered the Augusta AW-139 helicopter into a steady 150-foot hover. A state trooper/flight paramedic was deployed from the helicopter to the wooded area where the injured hiker was located. The trooper flight paramedic performed an assessment and used a PEP bag to package the patient with the assistance of HCDFRS personnel. The patient was hoisted into the helicopter where Trooper 2 transitioned to a medevac and flew the patient to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.

Highways / Interstates

Maryland State Police Arrest Seven People After Protests Shut Down I-495 In Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

Published October 10, 2022 at 3:39PM | Updated October 16, 2022 at 9:28AM

Per the Maryland State Police: (ROCKVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police arrested seven people after a group of protestors shut down a portion of Interstate 495 this morning in Montgomery County. Shortly before 10:30 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack responded to inner loop of I-495 at U.S. Route 29 following multiple calls of protestors dressed in neon vests holding signs and blocking the road. According to a preliminary investigation, more than 10 pedestrians were sitting in the road and blocking all lanes of traffic. Several other protestors were walking around and holding signs.

Troopers from the Rockville and College Park barracks, with assistance from Montgomery County Police, asked the protestors multiple times to leave so they could be issued a criminal citation. After several warnings, those who did not comply were arrested without incident.In all, seven people were arrested at the scene. During the protest, traffic was diverted off the beltway until the road could be cleared. The interstate was reopened by 11:15 a.m. All seven people arrested were charged with obstructing or hindering the free passage of another in a public place or on a public conveyance and failing to obey law enforcement officer who attempts to prevent a disturbance to the public peace. The suspects were identified as:

Rockville

Vehicle Driven into Home in Rockville Tuesday Morning; Driver Pronounced Dead at the Scene

By Patrick Herron

Published October 4, 2022 at 4:01PM

Montgomery County Police have announced that one person is dead after a single vehicle collision that occurred Tuesday morning in the 100 block of Upton St. in Rockville. According to MCPD, at approximately 6:33am, “officers from the 1st District, Rockville City Police Department and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the location for the report of a suspicious situation. A Ford Mustang GT was located on the lawn of a home in the 100 block of Upton St. For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the vehicle struck a home in the 100 block of Upton St. A man, the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.

Rockville

City of Rockville Police to Hold ‘Coffee with a Cop’ Event on October 5

By Patrick Herron

Published October 2, 2022 at 8:44PM

Chief Victor Brito, RCPD commanders and officers will be on hand for informal, real one-on-one conversations with community members.

Coffee with a Cop helps to break down barriers between police officers and the community they serve in a casual atmosphere where residents can sit with officers, ask questions and share what’s on their mind.

Maryland

Maryland State Police Reminding Motorists Move Over Law Expands To All Vehicles Beginning Oct. 1

By Patrick Herron

Published September 30, 2022 at 1:53PM

The intent of the Move Over law is to provide an extra barrier of safety for motorists, along with police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical service personnel and utility workers working on Maryland roads. It is hoped that drivers will become more aware of police and emergency workers and others stopped along the road and move away from them or slow down as they pass by the traffic stop or incident scene.

This movement should only be done if another lane in the same direction is available and the move can be made safely and without impeding other traffic. If moving to another lane away from the stopped vehicle is not possible, the law requires drivers to slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.

Gaithersburg

Four Juveniles, One Adult Charged After Friday Night’s Fights at Gaithersburg High School

By Patrick Herron

Published September 19, 2022 at 12:20PM | Updated September 19, 2022 at 7:02PM

Per the Gaithersburg Police Department: Four juveniles and one adult were charged with assault after fights broke out at Friday night’s football game (Northwest at Gaithersburg) at Gaithersburg High School (101 Education Boulevard). According to the Gaithersburg Police Department, “as a result of fights on Friday night, Gaithersburg officers charged four juveniles with assault and one 19-years-old male of Germantown, MD with Second Degree Assault, Mutual Affray, Disorderly Conduct, Intoxicated Endanger, and Failure to Obey Lawful Order. The charges were the result of fights that occurred off of the field and as crowds were dispersing.

Gaithersburg and Northwest High Schools and Montgomery County Public Schools security will be conducting an administrative review regarding students and staff involved in the fighting on the field during the game.”

Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces More Than $13 Million in Highway Safety Grants, Including Over $150,000 to the Montgomery County Police Department

By Patrick Herron

Published September 12, 2022 at 10:40AM

“Since the beginning of our administration, we have worked to ensure safety on our highways through innovative projects and partnerships,” said Governor Hogan. “These grants will continue to help reduce crashes and fatalities all across the state and ensure highway safety remains a top priority.”

In 2021, there were 562 traffic deaths on Maryland roadways, including 131 pedestrians and six bicyclists. While that number is a decrease compared to 2020 when the state had 573 fatalities, including 138 pedestrians and 15 bicyclists, police reports continue to show speed, impairment, and inadequate or improper seat belt use as the most common contributing factors in motor vehicle fatalities.

MoCo Government

Application Deadline Extended to Fill Vacancy on Policing Advisory Commission

By Patrick Herron

Published September 9, 2022 at 7:44AM

The 15-member Commission consists of nine voting public members nominated and appointed by the County Council; four voting public members nominated by the County Executive and appointed by the County Council; and two non-voting ex officio members appointed by the County Council: the Police Chief or the Police Chief’s designee, and the President of an employee organization certified under Article V of Chapter 33 (Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35) or the President’s designee.

The Commission must: 1) advise the Council on policing matters; 2) provide information regarding best practices on policing matters; 3) recommend policies, programs, legislation, or regulations; 4) comment on matters referred to it by the Council; 5) conduct at least one public forum each year for community input on policing matters; 6) accept correspondence and comments from members of the public; and 7) engage in public education. The Commission must submit an annual report to the Executive and Council on its functions, activities, accomplishments and plans and objectives, by July 1 of each year.

MoCo Police

How Montgomery County Police Closed a Fifty-One-Year-Old Cold Case

By Patrick Herron

Published September 7, 2022 at 12:13PM | Updated July 25, 2023 at 3:28PM

On Saturday, October 23, 1971, at approximately 10:40 p.m., Montgomery County Police officers were called to the Manor Country Club in the 14900 block of Carrolton Rd. in Rockville, MD, after witnesses reported a man lying face down in the southeast parking lot. Officers arrived at the scene and located Captain Hall suffering from a gunshot wound. Hall was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on October 26, 1971. Investigators believe that Hall interrupted a residential burglary in progress.

In October of 2021, the 50th anniversary of Captain Hall’s homicide, detectives from the Cold Case Unit decided to review the case with a fresh set of eyes. For almost a year, Detective K. Leggett and Corporal L. Killen of the Cold Case Unit, combed through case files, recordings, and interviewed witnesses. Through the course of their investigation, Leggett and Killen narrowed in on one person, Larry David Becker. In 1973 Becker was interviewed by investigators but had not been labeled a suspect.