Document: Police Search for Suspects in Burglary

The Metropolitan Police Department is searching for suspects in relation to the burglary of a business establishment.

According to a press release, the suspects entered an establishment on the 500 block of H Street, NW, to property and fled the scene.

One of the suspects is pictured in the image, which was taken from surveillance video.

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 — 50411. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for a crime committed in the District of Columbia.

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Defendant Says He Wants to Represent Himself

On Sept. 10, a felony defendant waived his right to counsel in favor of representing himself.

Anthony Braxton is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, kidnapping, stalking, threat to kidnap or injure a person and Civil Protection Order (CPO) violation — all felony violations. He is currently being held at DC Jail.

Braxton initially requested new counsel. DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz brought in Jonathan Zucker as a possible new defense attorney. Braxton’s current attorney, Russell Hairston, was also present for the hearing.

However, during the hearing, Braxton changed his mind and said he wanted to represent himself in his case.

Zucker advised Braxton to obtain an attorney advisor so that he would have guidance in his defense. Braxton said he is comfortable defending himself and expressed his desire to get back to his child.

“This is my child, not Mr. Zucker’s, not Mr. Hairston’s, not anybody else’s,” said Braxton.

The defendant said he wanted to have a trial as soon as possible. Judge Kravitz said he cannot promise Braxton when a trial will take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite this, Zucker and Hairston still encouraged Braxton to get an attorney advisor.

The prosecution agreed with Hairston and Zucker. The prosecutor then said they want to move forward with the faretta hearing, which would determine if the defendant is mentally competent to represent himself.

However, Judge Kravitz expressed concern that Braxton wouldn’t have a lawyer for the faretta hearing.

“I will have a lawyer,” Braxton responded, “myself.”

Judge Kravitz appointed Zucker as Braxton’s advisory attorney and scheduled his next status hearing for Oct. 13.

Judge Finds Probable in Domestic Violence Case, Holds Defendant

On Sept. 10, a DC Superior Court judge found probable cause in a domestic violence case and held the defendant at DC Jail.

The defendant is charged with contempt for allegedly violating a stay away order on July 29 that he was given as a condition of his pretrial release.

The defendant is also charged with unlawful entry, contempt, possession of an open container of alcohol/public intoxication, simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon in two other domestic violence cases. He is also charged with contempt and threats to injure or kidnap a person in a felony domestic violence case.

Two Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers testified at the Sept. 9 hearing to determine if there was probable cause that the defendant violated the stay away order. The defendant waived his right to testify.

The defendant’s attorney, Seth Schrager, said probable cause could not be found because the officer and victim’s testimony could not be corroborated.

However, Judge Judith Pipe did find probable cause, saying there was no reason to doubt the credibility of the officers or the victim.

Schrager also asked Judge Pipe to put his client on pretrial release due to significant delays in court hearings. Schrager said the defendant’s offense was non-violent in nature and the defendant has a job and could continue working if released.

The prosecution argued that the defendant should be held due to repeated violations of the stay away order and the possibility of escalation.

Judge Pipe held the defendant to ensure the safety of the community.

The defendant is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 16 for a status hearing.

Document: Persons of Interest Sought in Armed Robbery

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives seek the public’s help identifying persons of interest in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on Sept. 2.

At around 6:46 a.m., suspects approached the victim on the 1400 block of Rittenhouse Street, NW. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded property. The suspects took the property and then fled the scene.

The persons of interest were captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in video footage.

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Document: Suspects Sought for Assault on a Police Officer

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives seek the public’s assistance locating suspects in connection with an assault on a police officer that occurred on Aug. 30.

At around 12:15 a.m., suspects threw objects at and assaulted MPD officers on the the 1600 block of H Street, NW.

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Crime Alerts: September 9-10

Between 9 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 9 a.m. on Sept. 10, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out one crime alert.

The alert was sent at 4:21 a.m. for a robbery investigation on the 400 block of H Street, NE. Police are looking for a Black male, 6’0″ in height, wearing all black clothing.

He was last seen on the 800 block of 5th Street, NE.

If anyone has information about this event, please call 911.

Document: Driver Killed in Traffic Accident

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on Sept. 8.

According to a preliminary investigation, at around 12:32 p.m., the driver of a 2012 Infiniti G37x was speeding southbound and lost control of the vehicle on the 4500 block of Benning Road, SE. The vehicle struck a light pole, and then a utility pole, which caused the vehicle to overturn.

The driver, 26-year-old Denico Lindsey, of Southeast, DC, was pronounced dead on the scene.

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Document: Maryland Resident Arrested for First-Degree Murder While Armed

A suspect has been arrested in connection with a homicide that happened on July 26.

At around 2:49 a.m., Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the 800 block of Chesapeake Street, SE after the sound of gunshots were reported. Upon arrival, they found 23 year-old Keith Rawlings, of Glenarden, Md., suffering from a gunshot wound inside a vehicle on the 4200 block of 7^th Street, SE. Rawlings was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Sept. 9, members of the Major Violator Section’s Fugitive Unit transported Kyree Fields to the homicide branch. Fields, a 20-year-old resident of Laurel, Md., has been previously arrested on two occasions for for felon in possession of a firearm.

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Judge Sentences Defendant to 14 Months in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge decided to reimpose a defendant’s sentence after his probation was revoked.

Herman Smith pleaded guilty to attempt to commit robbery on March 15, 2019. He was sentenced to 14 months of incarceration, all of which were suspended, one year of probation and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $100 to the Crime Victims Compensation Program, complete 30 hours of community service, obtain a mental health evaluation and treatment and stay away from the victim.

However, Smith did not comply with several conditions of his probation, including using drugs, not completing community service, has not gotten a neurological exam even though Judge Judith Smith ordered it, has not paid the money to the compensation fund and has failed to appear at numerous court hearings. It was revoked by Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 19.

Judge Judith Smith sentenced Smith, 60, to 14 months in prison, his original sentences, plus three years of supervised release. When released, Smith will also have to participate in a drug treatment program and mental health assessment and treatment. He must also pay $100 to the Crime Victims Compensation Program.

She waived Smith’s requirements for community service during his probation.

According to the judge, Smith, 60, has been on probation for 15 months.

Court documents stated that Smith tried to steal a victim’s purse after she refused to give him money. The incident occurred on the 600 block of G Street, NE in October of 2018. Smith was immediately arrested by officers who witnessed the crime.

“I been through something that I wish I never got myself into. I tried to snatch that lady’s pocketbook, which was wrong. And I will never do that again,” Smith told the judge during the Sept. 9 hearing, adding that he is sick and tired of the case, which has undergone judicial proceedings since 2018.

Crime Alerts: September 9

The Metropolitan Police Department sent out one crime alert during the day on Sept. 9.

At 5:07 p.m., the police sent out an alert for a shooting on the 900 block of Irving Street, NE. Police are looking for a black 2020 Dodge Charger.

If anyone has information about this shooting please call 911.

Document: Police Search for Suspect in H Street Burglary

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department are requesting assistance from the public to identify a suspect in connection to a burglary on Sept. 3.

According to a press release, the suspect entered an establishment on the 00 block of H Street, NE allegedly took property and fled the scene.

Images of the suspect were captured on surveillance video.

The department is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest or indictment. Anyone with information should call the police at 202-727-9099 or text 50411.

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Document: Suspect Sought in Burglary

The Metropolitan Police Department is requesting help from the public to identify a suspect in reference to a burglary on Aug. 21.

According to the press release, the suspect forcibly entered an establishment on the 3200 block of P Street, NW. The suspect allegedly took property.

The suspect was captured on surveillance video.

The department is offering a reward of $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest and indictment. Anyone with information should contact the police at 202-727-9099 or text 50411.

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Document: Police Search for Suspect in Officer Assault

The Metropolitan Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating suspects in reference to an assault on a police officer that occurred on Aug. 30.

According to a press release, two suspects threw objects at and assaulted officers on the 1600 block of H Street, NW.

The department is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime. Anyone with information should call the police at 202-727-9099 or text — 50411.

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Judge Sentences Defendant Under Youth Act for Firearms Conviction

On Sept. 9, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to probation for a gun charge.

Davon Goldring, 25, pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. As part of a plea deal with the prosecution, his other charges of possession of an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition were dropped.

“He knows right from wrong,” said defense attorney Lisbeth Sapirstein. “He recognizes that he wanted the gun for safety but knows it’s wrong.”

Judge Michael Ryan sentenced Goldring to six months, all of which were suspended, plus nine months of probation.

The defendant, who was 24 at the time of the offense, was sentenced under the guidelines of the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA.) Because of this, his case will effectively be sealed after he completes his requirements.

The requirements of Goldring’s probation include participating in an employment assistance program, pursuing education and employment either full or part-time, taking an education assessment and receiving grief counseling.

The prosecutor also requested some amount of community service.

Judge Ryan did order the defendant to complete 90 hours of community service, but, only if it is safe to do so, because to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Goldring must also pay $100 to the Crime Victims Compensation Progam.

Document: Vehicle Sought in Connection with Two Armed Robberies

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives seek the public’s help identifying and location a vehicle in connection with two armed robberies that happened on Sept. 8.

At around 6:55 p.m., a suspect approached a victim on the 1200 block of Sheridan Street, NW. The suspect then brandished a firearm, took the victim’s property and then fled in the vehicle.

At around 7:05 p.m., a suspect left a vehicle and approached a victim on the 100 block of Emerson Street, NW. The suspect brandished a handgun and demanded the victim’s property. The victim tried to flee, but was approached by a second suspect. The suspects took the victim’s property and then fled the scene in the vehicle.

The vehicle sought can be described as a silver 2007 Scion TC with DC registration GC1104 and VIN JTKDE2177570219227. It was captured by a nearby surveillance camera.

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