About that Big Police Presence in Petworth Last Night

via google maps

“Dear PoPville,

Any idea what the police activity at New Hampshire & Upshur was tonight around 9:30 PM? Cops giving chase on foot, lots of cop cars, and the cops looking for someone in my yard and going through my neighbor’s trash cans. Pretty spooky.”

From MPD:

“On February 2nd, 2016, at approximately 9:30 P.M., Fourth District police officers received a 911 call for an Armed Robbery that had just occurred in the 4200 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NW. The 911 Dispatcher provided the officers with a description of 4-6 suspects wearing ski masks and dark clothing. One of the suspects was reported to be armed with a black handgun. As officers responded to the scene, the suspects in the first Armed Robbery proceeded to locate a second victim and commit a second robbery in the 500 block of Varnum Street, NW.

As the officers were canvassing for the victim of the first robbery, they observed four suspects wearing all dark clothing and ski masks running eastbound in the 500 block of Varnum Street, NW. When the officers attempted to stop the suspects, they continued fleeing southbound into the west alley of Grant Circle, NW. The officers pursued the suspects on foot and apprehended all four suspects. Prior to their apprehension, the suspects were observed removing their ski masks and throwing them to the ground, as well as discarding the victim’s property.

Pursuant to this investigation, a black BB pistol, a knife, ski masks, and property belonging to the victims of both robberies was recovered. Four juvenile males were arrested and charged with Armed Robbery.

The Metropolitan Police Department is asking anyone with information about this offense to contact the MPD Command Information Center at 202-727-9099.”