Police Chief Lanier Responds to Increased Crime in Ward 3

Chief of Police Cathy Lanier has taken note of the increased crime in Ward 3, including several armed robberies and home break-ins. Here is what Chief Lanier said that the Metropolitan Police will be doing in response.



I have received numerous inquiries regarding crimes in the northern areas of the Second District, particularly in Ward 3. I have asked Commander Klein to expound on recent crime trends, as well as his efforts to combat robberies and burglaries in particular.

Over the past 30 days, there were 14 robberies in Ward 3, which include portions of PSAs 201, 202, 203, 204 and 205. At least 4 of those robberies occurred the weekend of December 4, and a press release regarding the string of robberies was issued last week seeking the public's assistance in identifying the suspects. Those particular robberies, which we believe are possibly linked, remain unsolved. In an unrelated event, last week detectives in Montgomery County arrested 2 female suspects after a robbery in Bethesda. Second District detectives were able to tie the two females to several robberies that occurred in the Second District in the past several weeks. This case is still ongoing, but I am confident that some of the robberies will be solved.

In the past 30 days, there were 25 burglaries in Ward 3. Eight of the burglaries involved homes that were occupied at the time of the break-in. Detectives that have been working these cases have developed leads in several burglaries.

Commander Klein has prepared a plan, in which he has shifted resources from other parts of the Second District up to the PSAs that were most adversely affected by the robberies and burglaries. In short, he has created a rapid-response unit tasked with patrolling residential areas, conducting stops of suspicious persons, and responding in a code-1 status (with lights and sirens) to all calls for burglar alarms and suspicious persons. Second District vice officers have also been deployed in the area in plain-clothes and will be conducting surveillance operations. Second District detectives are continuing to investigate the cases and are coordinating with Montgomery County detectives and sharing valuable information.

Over the past 7 days, there were 4 robberies in Ward 3. Specifically, none in PSA 201, 1 in PSA 202, 3 in PSA 203, none in PSA 204 and none in PSA 205

There were 10 burglaries over the past 7 days in Ward 3. Specifically, 4 in PSA 201, 3 in PSA 202, 2 in PSA 203, 2 in PSA 204, and 1 in PSA 205.

Although it appears that the increased police presence is slowing things down, there is still work to be done and I have asked Commander Klein for daily updates on his efforts. I understand that several of the PSAs have had community meetings to discuss these trends, as well as posted information on the various Listserv groups.

Home Robbed in NW DC: Burglar Puts Knife to Resident's Throat

Saturday we reported on a rash of armed robberies in NW DC. There was another viiolent crime in Northwest DC on Sunday. Here is the police report about a homeowner who had her Nebraska Avenue, NW home broken into:

At approximately 5:15 PM on Sunday, a citizen in the 4800 block of Nebraska Avenue, NW. was awakened by a subject entering her home through the front door. The subject produced a knife and forced her into a closet. After cutting her phone lines, the subject stole some household items and a small amount of US currency. The suspect was described as a black male, 35 years of age, 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 190-200 pounds. He was described further as having brown eyes and black hair. He was of a medium build and with a medium complexion. He was last seen fleeing on foot dressed in brown pants and a brown jacket.

Shortly thereafter, an establishment in the 5000 block of Connecticut Avenue was robbed at gunpoint. The suspect in this offense was described as a black male, 40-45 years of age, medium complexioned and weighing 170-190 pounds. He was further described as having a medium build, a slight beard and brown eyes. He was also wearing a black hat at the time of the offense. He was last seen fleeing on foot.

Armed Robbers at Large in NW DC

The Second District Police Station is warning the public about suspects still at large following reports of four armed robberies since Saturday, December 4. Three were in the Friendship Heights neighborhood and one was in Cleveland Park near the Washington Cathedral. Here is the police bulletin, including a description of the suspects and their car:

The 2nd District Detectives office is seeking your assistance if you may have any information to assist in identifying two individuals wanted in connection with this series of robberies which appear to be similar in nature. The suspects in these offenses were armed with handguns. In one of the incidents, a victim was shot after refusing to surrender his property.

In all four of the robberies the suspects were described as follows: Suspect One is described as a black male, between 5-feet-10 inches to 6-feet-tall, stocky-chubby build, between the ages of 25 to 30 years of age, dreads or braided hair style, dark complexion, wearing a white or light colored coat and dark pants. Suspect Two is described as a black male, 5-feet-7 inches to 5-feet-9 inches tall, medium-average build, 25 to 30 years of age, unknown hair style, dark complexion, wearing dark clothing. During one of the robberies a third suspect, described as a black male with medium complexion, may have been involved. The suspects were believed to be operating a vehicle, described as a dark color sedan, possibly green or black, with tinted windows.

* On Saturday, December 4th, at approximately 2:00 a.m., a victim was robbed at gunpoint of belongings by two subjects in the area of Wisconsin Avenue and Woodley Road, NW.

* On Saturday, December 4th, at approximately 2:30 a.m., a victim was robbed at gunpoint of belongings in the area of 43rd and Jennifer Streets, NW.

 * On Saturday, December 4th, at approximately 3:30 a.m., a victim was shot during a robbery attempt in the area of 43rd and Ingomar Streets, NW.

* On Thursday, December 9th, at approximately 10:15 p.m., a victim was robbed at gunpoint of belongings in the area of the 4100 block of Harrison Street, NW.

There is no word on the condition of the shooting victim.  According to TBD and other sources, the police want residents to be on heightened alert because the armed robbers are still at large.

There is a reward of up to $10,000 for anyone with information leading to a conviction in these crimes. Call the police at 1-888-919-CRIME or text your information to DC Crime Solvers at 50411.

Armed Robbery in Takoma Park, Maryland Near Westmoreland Avenue

From the police blotter...

Today at approximately 1:01 p.m., Takoma Park Police responded to the roadway in the 6900 block of Westmoreland Avenue for reports of an armed robbery.  The victim was walking to her vehicle with her purse and laptop computer. A small, older black sedan vehicle with the windows rolled down pulled up behind her.  The first suspect pointed a gun at her and demanded property.  The victim complied and the suspect sped off on Walnut Avenue towards Eastern Avenue.  The victim indicated there was a second vehicle very close to the suspect vehicle, described as a dirty white or gray station wagon.  This vehicle was at the scene during the robbery and followed the suspect vehicle.  It is unknown if the second vehicle was a witness or a second suspect vehicle.  The victim was not injured.

The suspects are described as two black males (dark complexions).  One of the suspects was wearing a skull cap and carrying a black handgun.

The investigation continues under case #10059596.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to please call the police at 301-270-1100.  You can now text your tip to the Takoma Park Police Department and remain 100% anonymous.

1. Text to 847411

2. Type TPPDTIP at the beginning of your message.

3. Type your message including as much detail as possible to ensure that your tip is thoroughly investigated.

DC's Dumbest Robber Award Goes To...

Photo by Jimmy Joe

There are all sorts of stupid things that crooks do that get them caught. Stupid crooks are legion; there are even websites devoted to chronically their goofs. If you think you've heard it all, you're wrong: Last week a armed robber was arrested: He was on probation and wearing a GPS ankle bracelet at the time. Here's the police report :

On November 1, 2010, we responded to armed robberies at Holly, Tulip, Maple and Carroll Avenues, in broad daylight at 12:30 p.m. 

On November 3, 2010, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) made an arrest for robbery in the District of Columbia and contacted us. Our detective responded to the 4th District MPD where our investigation identified one of the two suspects from our robbery.

Our State’s Attorney’s Office was contacted and authorized two arrest warrants for armed robbery for Kevin Shird (20), of Washington, D.C. He is currently incarcerated in the D.C. Jail.

We have filed detainers for two counts of armed robbery. It should be noted that our suspect is on probation and was wearing a GPS ankle bracelet at the time of his arrest. The second suspect is still outstanding and our investigation continues.

Shepherd Park Bus Stop Gunpoint Robbery: Victim's First Hand Account

A Shepherd Park bus stop was the scene of an armed robbery on Thursday.  The victim was a woman waiting alone at the stop.  One robber held a gun to her head while the other grabbed her purse.  Read her chilling first hand account of what happened, as posted on the Shepherd Park Listserv, which took place at 16th and Primrose, NW.

I was attacked by the two guys and if there is anything that I can provide to help track them down, I'd like to do it. There were two black males, one was light skinned, clean-shaven, with kind of a baby-face, for lack of a better word -- a relatively handsome guy. He was wearing a black peacoat that grazed his hips but it was not buttoned. He was about my height 5'6" or 5'7" and had short hair, but not super short. I would estimate his age as late teens, probably anywhere from 16 or 17 to 19 or 20 at most. The other guy was stockier, but not fat, also wearing black, with dreadlocks about shoulder length (definitely not longer than that), with darker skin, but not very dark, a rounder face and was a bit taller than the other guy, maybe 5'9" or so. He looked a little older than the first guy, so probably 18 or 19 to 20 or 22 at most. They looked a little out of place for the neighborhood, dressed a little more street than most people dress there, but not gang-ish or thug-ish.

Breaking News:Violent Robbery in Tenleytown

There was violent robbery in the Tenleytown neighborhood this morning at around 11am. Residents in the area should be careful. Here is the police bulletin. We will update this when we have more information.

Robbery Force Violence_1104_4100 Brandywine Street NW_LOF: A B/M WEARING ...black short, white top, DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911

Bathroom Robbery at Wilson High School

Last Thursday, September 16th, a Woodrow Wilson High School Student was robbed in a bathroom by other students at the school. As with other District of Columbia high schools, students have to pass through a metal detector before entering the school.  Here is the police report:

[Thursday] at approximately 11:15 a.m. a Woodrow Wilson 9th grader was robbed while inside a bathroom at Wilson High School. Three fellow students held him against a wall and searched his pockets. They stole $10 and fled from the immediate area. A short while later, two of the three juveniles were identified while still in the building and were subsequently arrested by MPD School Resource Officers. We are currently investigating the identity of the third suspect who is also believed to be a Wilson student and expect to bring complete closure to this offense in short order.

Armed Robbery on Van Ness Street Saturday

Update, Sept 20: The police have provided this additional information about this armed robbery: "Two complainants report that they were approached by two suspects, both described as 19-23 year old males, medium complexion with short hair. Both suspects were armed with handguns and demanded money. The suspects also obtained the victims' car keys and drove away with their 2003 Honda Accord toward 45th Street."

There was an armed robbery last night at the 4400 block of Van Ness Street, NW near Turtle Park (Friendship Recreation Center). Here is the information straight from the police blotter:

Robbery Hold Up Gun, 1140pm, 4440 Van Ness St., NW; L/O 2 B/M's armed with handguns. Also taken was a Honda bearing VA tags JNG5129 westbound on Van Ness. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I201100515838