police

“Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison For Shooting an Acquaintance”

By Prince Of Petworth


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From MPD:

Marcus A. Owens, 41, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to a seven-year prison term on charges stemming from a shooting that occurred in February 2012 in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced. Owens pled guilty in March 2012, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to aggravated assault while armed with a firearm. He was sentenced by the Honorable Lynn Leibovitz. Upon completion of his prison term, Owens will be placed on five years of supervised release.

According to the government’s evidence, the victim, then 23, and Owens had met through mutual acquaintances. On February 1, 2012, at about 9:40 p.m., they were near the 800 block of Butternut Street NW, when Owens produced a 9mm firearm and pointed it at the man. Owens fired two shots into the victim’s stomach, another shot toward the victim’s head, grazing it, and finally a fourth shot into the victim’s foot. Witnesses observed Owens walking away from the crime scene carrying a firearm. Concerned citizens called 9-1-1 and an ambulance transported the victim to the hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers who responded to the area observed Owens, who matched the description of the suspect from the shooting, enter a taxicab on nearby Georgia Avenue NW, together with a female companion. Police conducted a traffic stop of the taxi and observed a firearm on the back seat floor – under Owens’s foot. Shell casings that were recovered by police from the crime scene matched the caliber of the recovered firearm. The victim later identified Owens as the person who shot him. The victim had met Owens through mutual acquaintances.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the work of the detectives, patrol officers and crime scene officers who worked on the case from MPD. He also praised the efforts of Victim Witness Advocates Jennifer Clark and James Brennan and Paralegal Assistant Debra McPherson. Finally, he expressed appreciation to Assistant U.S. Attorney Terry Eaton, formerly of the Fourth District Unit of the Superior Court Felony Major Crimes Section, who prosecuted this case.

Props to the Cops – Craigslist Robbery/Assault Arrest

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

Update from MPD:

On Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at approximately 7:15 the adult victim met up with the suspect in order to sell an expensive item. The adult male suspect looked over the expensive item and then punched the victim in the face with a closed fist. The suspect then grabbed the item and fled the scene.

Today at approximately 7:37, the suspect in this Robbery was stopped by members of the Third District Robbery Tactical Unit. A short time later a positive identification was made and the suspect was arrested for Robbery Force and Violence.

The victim sustained minor injuries to his face and was treated by the Ambulance. Unfortunately the expensive item was not recovered at the time of the suspect’s arrest.

This is a safety reminder, when selling expensive items over the internet please meet the intended buyer in a safe and public space!!

“Maryland Men Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison Each For Their Roles in Home Invasion”

By Prince Of Petworth


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So scary.

From a press release:

Laquet Campbell, 21, and Eddie Griffin, 25, both of Hyattsville, Md., were sentenced today to prison terms for their roles in an armed home invasion that took place last year in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

Campbell, Griffin, and a third defendant, Rayvon Jones, 20, pled guilty in April 2012, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to first-degree burglary while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Campbell and Griffin were sentenced by the Honorable Ann O’Regan Keary. Jones, of Greenbelt, Maryland, is to be sentenced on July 10, 2012.

Griffin received concurrent sentences of 96 months incarceration for the burglary and 60 months incarceration for the firearm count. Campbell received concurrent sentences of 90 months incarceration for the burglary and 60 months incarceration for the firearm count. Both men also received sentences of five years supervised release to follow their prison terms.

According to the government’s evidence, on September 15, 2011, at about 10 a.m., Campbell, Griffin and Jones drove a U-Haul truck into the District of Columbia with the intent to burglarize the victims’ home, located in the 500 block of Rock Creek Church Road NW.

The men entered the home armed with a weapon, and assaulted the two victims in their bedrooms. Jones, who was armed with a firearm that the victim described as a shotgun, followed Campbell into the first victim’s bedroom. After Campbell pushed this victim onto his bed, Jones placed the weapon at the back of the victim’s neck and demanded money. Both Campbell and Jones then removed two laptops, two iPhones, a blue duffel bag, and a pair of blue and white Jordan sneakers from the bedroom.

Griffin, meanwhile, entered the second victim’s bedroom. After forcing this victim to the floor, and striking him in the back of the head, Griffin removed two laptop computers and one iPhone from the bedroom.

Before they left the house, the defendants took additional items, including a 32-inch flat-screen television located in the living room area.

When the three men were arrested later in Hyattsville, the police located two laptop computers, one of which was later identified as belonging to the second victim. In addition, the police recovered a debit card from the pocket of Campbell, with the second victim’s name printed on the card. The police also recovered the first victim’s stolen phone from Griffin’s pants pocket, and the first victim’s stolen blue-and-white Jordan sneakers, as well as the 32-inch, flat-screen television taken from the victims’ residence, from Campbell’s apartment,

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen commended the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) for its work on the investigation. He also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Prince George’s County Police Department for its assistance during this investigation. U.S. Attorney Machen also thanked Paralegal Assistant Debra McPherson for her work on this case. Finally, he acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Vivien Cockburn, from the Fourth District Unit of the Superior Court Felony Major Crimes Section, who prosecuted this case.

Props to the Cops – Gun Arrest

By Prince Of Petworth


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From MPD:

On June 7, 2012 at approximately 11:00 A.M. a citizen was walking in the area of 3rd & D Street, SE. He was approached by three suspects (juveniles), one grabbed his arm and pointed a weapon at him. The suspects immediately fled the scene.

First District officers were alerted to a Robbery by the dispatcher along with a lookout for three suspects, one carrying a red bag with a weapon in it. Within minutes, Officers from the First District who were in the area patrolling their beats observed the suspects running, (one with a red bag ) immediately gave chase and apprehended the suspects.

After talking with the complainant the suspects did not rob him or made any attempts to rob him. Nothing was taken and no injuries were reported.

After coordination and assistance with Detectives from the First District, one subject was placed under arrest.

Props to the Cops – ATV Arrest

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

From MPD:

In response to the community’s concerns of ATVs and Dirt Bikes, members of the Fifth District midnight shift arrested an adult male for driving an ATV in the 1500 block of W Street, NE. He was processed on June 5, 2012, at approximately 2300 hours (11 PM), and the ATV was removed from the street. Officers were advised of the community’s concerns during the Midnight Roll call and they responded and took action. We will continue to monitor and make additional arrests as needed.

Previously MPD had written about the difficulty of making ATV arrests:

“…we cannot pursue the people riding the dirt bikes and atvs, as to do so would create a more dangerous situation than they already present.”

From the Files of Who Knew? Vol. 86 – DC Public Library Has a Police Force

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader spots a DC Public Library Police car and asks:

“To get overdue library books back?? Has anyone else seen this cruiser, or know what the story is? thanks!”

Remember Detective Mr. Bookman:

I don’t judge a man by the length of his hair or the kind of music he listens to. Rock was never my bag. But you put on a pair of shoes when you walk into the New York Public Library, fella.

Let me tell you something, funny boy… You know that little stamp? The one that says New York Public Library? Well, that may not mean anything to you, but that means a lot to me. One whole helluva lot. Sure, go ahead, laugh if you want to. I’ve seen your type before — flashy, making the scene, flaunting convention. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking… Why’s this guy making such a big stink about old library books? Let me give you a hint, junior. Maybe we can live without libraries, people like you and me…. Maybe. Sure, we’re too old to change the world. What about that kid, sitting down, opening a book right now in a branch of the local library and finding pictures of pee-pees and wee-wees in The Cat in the Hat and The Five Chinese Brothers. Doesn’t he deserve better? Look, if you think this is about overdue fines and missing books, you’d better think again. This is about that kid’s right to read a book without getting his mind warped. Or maybe that turns you on, Seinfeld… Maybe that’s how you get your kicks… You and your goodtime buddies… I’ve got a flash for you, joy boy. Partytime is over.

In 2009 flickr user justindc also saw the vehicle:

In the comments an officer wrote:

“Yes seriously. I am an Officer with this agency and we do respond to calls for service just like MPD or DC Protective Services would. Alot of people don’t realize it but the library is Government property. As a result this department is staffed with government police officers, (083 series) and charged with the law enforcement responsibilities for the system. there are 30 facilities citywide owned and operated by the dcpl and with all the crime in the city it spills over into these buildings, ( government property) daily. All types of incidents occur from thefts, assults, destruction of property, etc. And yes the library is safe because of us. This department has done alot and will continue to do so. Also we are the same job series and have the same duties and mission as DC Protective Services- protect government property, staff, an the public. We just wear a different uniform. Any other questions please feel free to twitter DCLIBRARYPOLICE.”

Though DCLIBRARYPOLICE appears to be inactive on twitter today.

DC Public Library’s Media Rep. confirms that the Library does have a police department. More info coming later this afternoon.

Props to the Cops

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

From MPD:

Wednesday about 12:30 pm, 5D arrested two young men who are charged with committing a burglary in the 1700 block of 4 St., NW, in PSA 501.

We have seen a recent upswing in burglaries in the corridor along North Capitol Street on both the northeast and northwest sides of the street, and we hope that today’s two arrests will have a significant impact on crimes being committed here.

While we are not sure that the burglaries that are taking place in the two areas are related, we are making large strides in identifying people we believe are responsible for much of this crime, and we hope that today’s arrests will lead to further elimination of this problem.

Props to the Cops And Chief Lanier Signs for 5 More Years With MPD

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

From MPD:

Gunshots near Pennsylvania SE and Potomac Ave SE

Last night [Tuesday] Officers from DC Housing Authority Police were inside of Potomac Gardens when they heard the sound of gunshots. The officers called for assistance and responded to the courtyard area where they encountered two armed suspects. After a foot chase both suspects were apprehended and two firearms were recovered.

And in other news WTOP reported on MPD Chief Cathy Lanier’s new contract:

The District’s top cop signed a new five-year, quarter-million-dollar contract late Tuesday night.

D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier’s deal keeps her annual salary at the current $253,000 and contains no annual raises or bonuses, according to a source familiar with the deal.

Props to the Cops: Arrests in Armed Robbery by 9th and U St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

From MPD:

“At approximately 0200 hours a call was received in reference to a robbery while armed (gun) in the 1900 block of 9th Street, NW. Units responded quickly to the area and were able to apprehend two suspects. One of the suspects had discarded a handgun, which was recovered by an officer in the parking lot at the corner of 8th and U Streets, NW.

The complainants were located in the the 900 Block of T Street, NW, and after a positive identification was made, two suspects were arrested. Also recovered at the corner of 8th and T Street, NW, was a vehicle which is believed to have been used by the suspects.

The investigation is on-going and anyone with additional information is asked to call (202) 727-9099.”

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