Crime

“Just a warning to all swimmers to lock up your possessions when you are at the pool and not make the same mistake I did!”

By Prince Of Petworth

banneker_pool_open_dc
2500 Georgia Avenue, NW

Ed. Note: Just like when one’s car is broken into and we are reminded not leave any valuables (or anything really) visible – yes many people know this but some need a reminder – no need to berate the OP. It’s easy to get complacent from time to time and this is just a warning to remind others to be more vigilant. Thanks for understanding.

“Dear PoPville,

I was at the Banneker Pool on Georgia Avenue this past Sunday afternoon with a friend. A large group of kids, about high-school age came and sat next to us. My friend and I left our pool bags with purses inside them on our pool chairs while we swam. My friend left earlier than myself, and once I was in the locker room getting dressed to leave, I realized my purse was missing from my pool bag. I checked the spot where I was sitting, and it wasn’t there.

I reported the theft to the lifeguard who was working in the lost and found, and he said the bag hadn’t been turned in and he called the police for me. Just then the other lifeguard came out of the men’s locker room with my purse which had my keys and wallet inside, but the cash, credit cards, Smarttrip and cell phone were all gone. The police took the report but refused me a ride home, though I was stranded without money or a phone and my friend had already left. He said taking me home was out of his jurisdiction, which I understand but I was pretty upset about being robbed and about being stranded.

Just a warning to all swimmers to lock up your possessions when you are at the pool and not make the same mistake I did!

I want to thank the Banneker lifeguards who were very helpful and let me cancel my cards from their personal cell phones. Also thanks to the lady driving the H4 bus who let me ride home for free when I told her what happened.”

DC Police Union – “ATVs and Dirt Bikes on City Streets: Most Arrests Go Unpunished by the Courts”

By Prince Of Petworth

dirt bike
Dirt bike accident on H Street, NE in 2014

From a DC Police Union press release:

“The DC Police Union conducted research into the matter in an effort to discover what’s affecting this instability in our community. We gathered information from police databases and arrest records, along with public documents and court records from DC Superior Court. Here’s what we found:

 In the 15 months between January 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015, MPD made 147 Arrests for violations of DC Code §50–2201.04b Operation of all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes.
Considering the department‟s “No-Chase” policy of not pursuing these suspects under any circumstances, officers still make an average of 10 arrests per month. The DC Police Union concurs with the fact that giving chase to these types of illegal vehicles creates a serious risk to citizens, officers, and even the riders themselves. This offense is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail, and a $250 fine. Frankly, the risks associated cannot be justified for what is considered a minor traffic misdemeanor according to the statute. Additionally, the fine for this violation was previously $1,000, until 2013 when the DC Council amended this statute and lowered the amount to $250.

 Of the 147 Arrests made by MPD the breakdown is as follows:
 11 of the arrestees were juveniles.
 42 cases presented to the Office of the Attorney General
were „No-Papered‟, meaning all charges were dropped
against the defendant.
 43 of the cases were papered, but were later dismissed
through diversion, „Nolle Prosequi‟ as part of a plea
agreement to another charge, or want of prosecution.
 33 of the defendants were found guilty.
 18 of the cases are still pending a disposition.

When the juvenile and the pending cases were removed from the equation, 126 cases remained. Of those 126, over one third of them were immediately no-papered by the OAG. Then another third were dismissed though diversion (community service) or for other reasons. The remaining 28% were found guilty of Operating an ATV or Dirt Bike. Ultimately, just 33 of the 147 adults arrested by MPD were found guilty.”

You can read the full release below:

ATV PRESS RELEASE (PDF)

Reader Nominated – Props to the Cops

By Prince Of Petworth

props_to_cops_popville11
Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

“Dear PoPville,

I already filled out formal commendations for three officers (1 MPD and 2 Transit Police) but wanted to pass along my appreciation of these three outstanding officers.

My wallet was stolen right from my bag on the Petworth metro escalator at around 8:05am Friday morning. I saw the person who did it but he must have been working as a team and he got away.

I saw MPD Officer Anthony Christian walk into the CVS across the street from metro and followed him and explained the situation. He took down my information and even told me to get in his car and we canvassed the neighborhood looking for the suspect! I tried my best to explain what he looked like. I would have recognized him if I saw him, but what I learned this morning is that it’s important to notice clothing and details such as facial hair and haircut if anything like this ever happens again.

Officer Christian and I then reported what happened to the two transit police officers at the station (M. Garcia and M. Broadnax) who also took my information and filed a report. I was very shaken up and had no money,credit cards, or metro card. They walked around the station with me looking for my wallet in the hopes that the thief just threw it somewhere. We didn’t find it but they did give me a metro pass so I could get to work.

Under three hours later, both Officers Christian and Broadnax called me to say that a good samaritan had found my wallet by the CVS and turned it in. Not only was everything still in my wallet minus the $10 in cash, but Officer Christian even told me to keep his number because he works in ward 4 where I live and I can call him directly if I ever run into any issues in the future. Officer Broadnax even DROVE to Dupont to return my wallet to me. I’m so appreciative of these three officers that I want the community to know that the 4th district has some great police serving us.”

Metro Police warns Orange, Blue and Silver line riders of increase in robbery/snatch of iPhone 6s

By Prince Of Petworth

From WMATA:

“The Metro Transit Police Department is advising riders on the Orange, Silver and Blue lines of a recent trend in robbery snatch incidents during the month of June. Specifically, since the beginning of June, there have been multiple robbery snatches of iPhone 6 devices at stations or aboard trains between Eastern Market and the endpoint stations of New Carrollton and Largo Town Center. Riders are urged to be vigilant and report suspicious activity to Transit Police.”

Shooting Homicide in Shaw just before Midnight

By Prince Of Petworth

From MPD:

“The Third District is investigating a shooting that occurred in the area of 5th and M St, NW.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Metropolitan Police Department on 202-727-9099.”

ANC Commissioner for 6E04 Rachelle Nigro posts on her facebook page:

“Update: last night’s victim shot in the 2nd NW Cooperative Complex (1300 block of 5th St.) has died. It is now a homicide investigation. I will be speaking to the Commander again today. Last night the detectives on the scene were working with the leaders of the Cooperative gathering information.”

Props to the Cops – Weapon Recovery and Arrest

By Prince Of Petworth

From MPD:

“On the afternoon of June 17, Fifth district members and Patrol Support units responded to a call for a man with a gun in the 1500 blk of F St NE. The suspect was observed in the 1500 block of F. St. NE. Upon seeing the police, the suspect fled on foot and was stopped at 1700 Gales St. NE. The suspect was found to have been in possession of a firearm and was placed under arrest. By using good communication and tactics, 5D and Patrol Support units were able to resolve a dangerous situation and apprehend an armed suspect and remove a weapon from the streets.”

Police release Video of Vicious Assault not far from Union Station Monday Night

By Prince Of Petworth

From MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department seeks the public’s assistance in identifying five persons of interest in connection with an Aggravated Assault incident which occurred on Monday, June 15, 2015, in the 1000 block of 1st Street, NW, at approximately 11:07 PM. The subjects was captured by a nearby surveillance camera.

DO YOUR PART TO HELP PREVENT AND SOLVE CRIME. Crime Solvers of Washington, DC currently offers a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a crime committed in the District of Columbia. Your assistance is appreciated by your community. Ref. CCN #15-089-749.

Anyone who can identify these individuals 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 to 50411.”

Readers Report Shots Fired at 11th and Euclid St, NW; Also MPD reports a Shooting in the 1300 Block of Orren St NE

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader reports:

“Five rapid gun shots last night at 4am exactly at the corner of Euclid and 11th in Columbia Heights. Our house is right next to the corner, it was extremely loud. It woke up our entire house. Very scary!

I called 911 and 4 cop cars arrived within 2 minutes. They came up 11th and turned east on Euclid toward Sherman.

Anyone know if someone was caught or shot? There’s nothing on MPD Twitter or local news sites.”

another reader also reports:

“just wondering if you’ve heard from others about a shooting around Euclid and 12th at 4am this morning. We heard 3-4 loud shots, called 911 but could not tell whether police actually came or found something. There has not been anything about it on the MPD twitter feed so far.”

From MPD:

“The Fifth District is currently investigating a shooting that occurred at approximately 12:30 AM on June 17, 2015, in the 1300 block of Orren St. N.E.

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 text messaging 50411.”

Update from MPD:

“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at approximately 12:13 am.

Members of the Fifth District responded to the report of the sounds of gunshots in the 1300 block of Orren Street, Northeast. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported the victim to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 25 year-old Larry Michael Lockhart of Northeast, DC.”

4 Guns Recovered, 1 Burglar Arrested Friday

By Prince Of Petworth

props_to_cops_popville11
Photo by PoPville flickr user KJinDC

From MPD:

“Members of the MPD 3D Crime Suppression Team executed a search warrant at 616 Farragut Street, NW, based on an arrest of subject with a gun that occurred in the 3rd District several days ago. Recovered from the house was a firearm and additional ammunition. There were two people arrested.”

and

“On Friday, June 12th around 4:30 P.M., two people were riding a dirt bike in the 3600 block of Warder Street, NW. The bike became in an accident and the driver fled. The passenger attempted to flee but was stopped by MPD officers. Recovered from the passenger was a loaded handgun. He was arrested and charged with carrying a pistol. We are seeking to identify the driver of the dirt bike, if anyone has any information they are asked to call the MPD CIC at 202-727-9099 or text at 50411.”

and

“On June 11, 2015, at 10:30p.m., the Third District Crime Suppression Team conducted a traffic stop in the 2600 block of Mozart Place, NW.

After further investigation by the officers a .40 caliber semi auto pistol was recovered from this vehicle. The adult male driver was arrested and charged with Carrying a Pistol without license.

On June 12, 2015, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Third District Crime Suppression team executed a search warrant in the Fourth District based upon this arrest.

As a result of the search warrant an additional firearm was recovered along with ammunition. Also, two adult males were arrested and charged with an Unregistered Firearm.”

and

“On June 11, unknown suspects forced entry into a premises located in the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW, stealing property. The owner had video surveillance that was viewed by patrol officers. The officers recognized one of the suspects as someone they had contact with on prior occasions and began to canvass the immediate area. The officers located the suspect and placed him under arrest for Burglary II. This closure was made due to the availability of video evidence and the patrol officer’s contact with people on their beat. Arrested was 59 year-old Nathaniel Davis of Northeast, Washington, DC. The detectives will continue to investigate to determine if he is involved in other crimes in the area.”

Scammer Alert – The old “Oh! I think you gave me a $1 by mistake!”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user katecon

“Dear PoPville,

There is a man with a stoop who comes and asks you if you “Have a $20 for two $10’s” He presented himself to me as a taxi driver – but had a wheeled walker he left outside the Starbucks I was in! I told him “No sorry!” but then was told by my acquaintance that this guy dupes unsuspecting people by exchanging the two 10’s for a $20 and then turing back with a $1 in his hand and say’s “Oh! I think you gave me a $1 by mistake!” – unfortunately some people feel embarrassed and cough up another $20 in exchange for the $1… and the man walks away with a nice $19 profit. So be warned!!

Today’s was at the Starbucks at O St market. Apparently reviously he has been to other Starbucks around P St / Dupont Circle and an approached people outside hotels…”

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