Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

From MPD:

Eight men and one woman have been indicted on conspiracy and other charges alleging that they were part of a gang that committed robberies, assaults, thefts and other crimes in Northwest Washington this year, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced today.

According to the indictment, the defendants are members of a crew called “Show Out” that committed crimes in the Chinatown, U Street and Adams Morgan areas. The indictment alleges that, since at least Jan. 1, 2012, the crew’s members canvassed the areas looking for targets of opportunity and teamed up to assault their victims, rob them of items of value, or both.

The crew also is accused of engaging in “flash mob” style robberies at drug stores, convenience
stores, and gas stations, in which multiple members flooded in to the business at the same time,
overwhelming and intimidating the staff, and stealing items. The indictment was returned Nov. 8, 2012, by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. It followed an extensive investigation by the MPD. Six of the defendants were arraigned today and the others are awaiting court appearances.

Those indicted include Bernard Trowell, also known as “McLovin,”19, described in the indictment as “the self-styled president” of the group, and two others who allegedly had senior positions, identified as Deandre M. Williams, 18, and Quayshawn L. Leggett, 20. Also indicted were: Angel Collier, 18; James D. Matheny, 18; Travis L. Morris, 20; Brandon J. Steele, 18; Wayne E. Wheeler, 20, and Ricardo J. Williams, 20, of D.C.

All of the defendants are from Washington, D.C.