Crime

Suspect Sought in attempted Kidnapping of a Juvenile Girl Walking to School at 8:05am Monday

By Prince Of Petworth


via google maps

From MPD:

“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Kidnapping Squad seek the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect in reference to a Kidnapping offense that occurred on Monday, January 22, 2018, in the 3700 block of Davenport Street, Northwest.

At approximately 8:05 am, a juvenile victim was walking, to school, at the listed location. The suspect approached the victim from behind. The suspect grabbed the victim and lifted her off the ground. After a brief struggle, the victim was able to escape, and fled the scene.

The suspect is described as a white male, 50 to 70 years old, approximately 5’7” in height, skinny with a muscular build. The suspect had a full gray beard. (more…)

“A predator is clearly out there and unfortunately his or her bad behavior is placing people in danger.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Brian Mosley

“Dear PoPville,

My friend went out to happy hour at Penn Commons (700 6th St, NW) Friday night. At some point in the two hours she was there, we believe something was slipped into her drink. She blacked out after two beers and came-to outside on a sidewalk to strangers trying to help her, realizing she had recently thrown up but with no memory of actually puking. She managed to get home by 10 by somehow summoning a Lyft, as evidenced by her phone.

We’re grateful that nothing worse happened to her, but we’re scared that this may not be an isolated incident. Regardless of who slipped what into her drink, we want to share that this incident happened with the community so that other individuals can keep an eye out for themselves and/or others, whether at Penn Commons or another establishment.

A predator is clearly out there and unfortunately his or her bad behavior is placing people in danger.”

“Just wondering if anyone else heard 4 gunshots around 2am Saturday night”

By Prince Of Petworth


via google maps

“Dear PoPville,

Just wondering if anyone else heard 4 gunshots around 2am Saturday night on 9th St NW between Kennedy and Jefferson? They woke me out of my sleep and sounded like they were right outside of my window. By the time I rolled over to call 911 the cops had shown up on the scene (within about 5 minutes), possibly because they were parked around the corner and heard them. Their sirens weren’t on. The cops walked the block for about 15 minutes, but seemingly didn’t see anything, so left shortly thereafter.

I sometimes wonder whether [insert whatever word you want for a person who would do this] shoots randomly in one location to lure cops to that location and away from whatever corner or location the cops are parked at in order to engage in some illicit activity. Is this possible?

I can’t figure out the point otherwise. I didn’t hear any shouting, running and it doesn’t appear anyone or anything was shot. I thought maybe I heard a car drive away, but couldn’t be sure.”

“video showing a team of guys stealing a bag from a car parked in Shaw”

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_7370

“Dear PoPville,

Here’s a video showing a team of guys stealing a bag from a car parked in Shaw. This happened Monday around 3:40pm. Hopefully MPD has asked that bike share company for the account information used to rent the bike.”

Of course it seems possible…: “Here is a dockless bike share seen last night outside safeway on the Hill. This guy must have really wanted it to bother spray painting it like that. He forgot the back of the seat though.”

“All three suspects picked up the ATM and threw it in the bed of the pickup truck”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Russell Warnick

Updated video:

From MPD:

“On January 19th, 2018, at approximately 1:55 A.M., MPD officers received a 911 call for a Destruction of Property at the 7-11 Store, located in the 200 block of Cedar Street, N.W. Upon the arrival of MPD units, it was discovered that three suspects had stolen the ATM machine from inside of the 7-11.

Based upon a preliminary investigation, the following is a synopsis of the crime: (more…)

“The suspect poured a liquid substance on the counter then lit it on fire.” At a GAS STATION

By Prince Of Petworth


1830 Rhode Island Ave, NE. Photo by PoPville flickr user kellybdc

From MPD:

“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Fifth District and Arson Investigators from the D.C. Fire Department seek the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect in reference to an Attempted Robbery of an Establishment and an Arson offense that occurred on Saturday, January 13, 2018, in the 1800 block of Rhode Island Avenue, Northeast.

At approximately 6:20 am, the suspect entered an establishment at the listed location. Once inside, the suspect demanded US currency. The employee refused. The suspect poured a liquid substance on the counter then lit it on fire. The suspect then fled the scene. No injuries were reported.

The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in the photo below:

Anyone who can identify this individual or who has knowledge of this incident should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.”

Shooting Near GWU Hospital 7:40pm Tuesday

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by JFT

Thanks to all who messaged as it was happening – to follow breaking news on PoPville during nights and weekends – be sure to follow @PoPville on Facebook here or Twitter here. Readers messaged hearing between 3-5 shots fired.

From MPD:

“At approximately 7:40 pm tonight, MPD responded to the 900 block of 23rd Street, NW to investigate a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim was conscious and breathing at reporting time. The suspect is described as a black male, about 30 years old, wearing a black sweater, a vest, and blue jeans, last seen fleeing on foot toward Washington Circle. It is unknown at this time what led to the shooting. The relationship between the suspect and victim is not known. There were no other injuries reported. This incident is currently being investigated by Second District Detectives. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call 202-727-9099.”

Update from MPD:

“Detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District seek the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in reference to an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) offense that occurred in the 900 block of 23rd Street, Northwest, on Wednesday, January 9, 2018.

At approximately 7:40 pm, the suspect and victim were engaged in a verbal altercation at the listed location. During the altercation, the suspect brandished a firearm and began shooting, striking the victim. The suspect fled the scene. The victim received treatment at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in the photos below:

Anyone who has information regarding this case should call police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, information may be submitted to the TEXT TIP LINE by sending a text message to 50411.”

MPD: “Anyone misplace 9 lbs of weed over the weekend?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by MPD

Thanks to Shannon for the heads up.

MPD tweeted earlier today:

“Anyone misplace 9 lbs of weed over the weekend? Feel free to stop by #DCPolice headquarters…we’d be happy to chat.”

I Feel Like We Should Be Talking a Bit More About This “Romanian hackers took over two-thirds of the District’s outdoor surveillance cameras”

By Prince Of Petworth

Right?!?!?! What in holy hell… The Washington Post reported over the holidays:

“Romanian hackers took over two-thirds of the District’s outdoor surveillance cameras just before President Trump’s inauguration, according to a federal criminal complaint unsealed Thursday.

The January attack affected 123 of the D.C. police department’s 187 outdoor surveillance cameras, leaving them unable to record for several days. Two Romanians, whom law enforcement officials describe as part of a bigger extortionist hacking group, are being charged in D.C. federal court with fraud and ­computer crimes.”

“Total Crime in Washington, DC Down 14% Since 2014”

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: We’ve been reporting on what feels like an uptick on shots fired/shootings in certain parts of town. These reports do not diminish the gains of MPD and the Department of Forensic Sciences just as these statistics below do not diminish the frustration some residents feel who live near the recent shots fired/shootings.

From a press release:

“Mayor Bowser today highlighted the Administration’s multiagency approach to achieving a safer, stronger DC. Throughout 2017, crime continued to decrease in Washington, DC, with a 22 percent reduction in violent crime, a 9 percent reduction in property crime, and an 11 percent decrease in total crime. Since 2014, violent crime has decreased by 28 percent, property crime has decreased by 11 percent, and total crime has decreased by 14 percent.

“With our community-based approach to crime and violence prevention, we are making progress toward a safer, stronger DC, but we have more work to do,” said Mayor Bowser. “Identifying crime patterns, focusing on repeat violent offenders, removing illegal guns from our streets, and quickly testing key evidence are essential parts of combatting crime across the District.. I am proud of what our public safety agencies have accomplished, and in 2018, we will continue to build on that progress.”

In 2017, the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) implemented an ongoing series of improvements across the agency, with an emphasis on fingerprint and firearms forensics. Achievements and advances at DFS in 2017 include: (more…)

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