Search Icon Search site

Search

Document: Arrest Made in Burglary Two Offense.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) made an arrest in a burglary offense that occurred on Nov. 25.

On the 400 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW, at around 1:25 a.m., the suspect broke into an establishment and attempted to steal property. The suspect was immediately apprehended by responding officers.

A 29-year-old male was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Emily Pengelly wrote this article.

Document: Arrest Made In Burglary Offense

On Nov. 24, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) made an arrest in a burglary offense that occurred on Nov. 24.

At around 11:09 p.m., the suspect broke into a residence on the 2200 block of 14 Street, NW and attempted to steal property before being apprehended by responding officers. 

A 26-year-old was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary.

Emily Pengelly wrote this post.

Document: Suspect Sought in Robbery Offense

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are seeking a suspect involved in a robbery of force and violence offense.

On Nov. 25, at approximately 5:23 a.m. on the 900 block of Eastern Avenue, NE, the suspect approached and assaulted the victim, stealing property from the establishment before fleeing the scene.

If anyone has knowledge about or can identify the individual associated with the robbery, call the police at (202) 727-9099 or text a tip to the department’s Text Tip Line at 50411. 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 indictment of the person or persons responsible for a crime committed in the District of Columbia.

Emily Pengelly wrote this post.

Document: Suspect Sought for First-Degree Sex Abuse

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are seeking the public’s help identifying and locating the suspect of a first-degree sexual abuse (stranger) offense involving a juvenile victim.

At around 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 21, a suspect approached the victim in the sixth district and engaged in unwanted sexual contact with the victim. The suspect then fled the scene.

The suspect is described as a Black male with a light complexion, wearing dark clothing with a hood over his head.

Document: Suspect Arrested for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection with an assault with a dangerous weapon offense that happened on Nov. 5.

At around 11:33 p.m., the suspect and victim were arguing on the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE, according to a press release. During the altercation, the suspect allegedly brandished a knife and stabbed the victim before fleeing the scene.

The 29 year-old suspect was arrested on Nov. 24.

Help Support D.C. Witness

Journalism has always been at its best when it calls power to account. For five years D.C. Witness has reported on every homicide in D.C., telling every story and gathering every bit of data. We believe the best accountability is full transparency.

Even though a daunting homicide number is mentioned briefly in the news, no one knows about the cases that often take years to proceed through court. 

D.C. Witness wants to bring transparency to the criminal justice system by not only informing the public about these crimes and their progression through the justice system, but also by collecting data to help produce an end to violent crime. 

Help us to keep holding the DC criminal justice system to account. Please donate to our cause.

If you are willing to subscribe to donating $10 per month please donate here.

If you would prefer a different amount or a single donation please donate here.

Judge Continues Hearings for Defendants Charged with Sex Abuse

On Nov. 24, a DC Superior Court judge continued hearings for two sex abuse defendants so they can consider plea offers.

One defendant is charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sexual abuse in one case and misdemeanor sexual abuse in the other. In the felony matter, the defendant allegedly attempted to sexually assault a woman in the lobby of her Petworth residence in Northwest, DC on Sept. 6. In the misdemeanor matter, the defendant allegedly touched a man without permission on the green line train on that same day.

“The government extended a plea offer and we will need some time to discuss this plea offer with [the defendant],” defense attorney Russel Hairston said, asking Judge Judith Smith to continue the hearing.

Judge Smith scheduled the defendant’s next court appearance for Dec. 21.

Another defendant is charged in five misdemeanor cases, two of which involve sex abuse charges.

In his first sex abuse case, the defendant is charged with misdemeanor sex abuse for allegedly touching two women without their permission at the Gallery Place Metro Station in Northwest, DC on Nov. 8. In the other, he is charged with misdemeanor sex abuse of a child or minor for allegedly touching a minor without permission at a convenience store in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood in Northeast, DC on Aug. 2.

The defendant is also charged with assault on a police officer and bail violations in his other cases. 

“There has been a global plea offer extended that I need to go over with my client, so I will need at least two weeks to do that,” defense attorney Thomas Key said, also asking he judge for the status hearing to be continued so he could discuss a plea agreement with his client.

Judge Smith continued the defendant’s status hearing to Dec. 16.

Document: Suspect Sought for Armed Robbery

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives seek the public’s help identifying the suspect of an armed robbery that happened on the morning of Nov. 21.

At around 9:10 a.m., a suspect entered an establishment on the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NW. Then, the suspect brandished a handgun and demanded money. The victim complied, and the suspect fled the scene.

The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera.

Judge Releases 24 Out of 28 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On Nov. 24, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna released 24 defendants, holding four defendants in DC Jail.

Donta Jones is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. According to court documents, Jones, 39, allegedly stabbed a man twice, once in the arm and once in the back, on Nov. 10. When officers arrested Jones for the offense on Nov. 23, they allegedly found 44 ounces of cocaine on him.

Judge McKenna decided to hold Jones at DC Jail pending his next hearing given his noncompliance in two additional pending cases as well as the serious nature of the assault allegations.

Rondale Edwards, who is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, was also held at the jail. Edwards, 19, allegedly stabbed a stranger on the metro on Nov. 23. Edwards’ defense attorney requested for his release, citing that he has a job, is receiving mental health treatment and has a 2-year-old child at home. 

Judge McKenna said she considered placing him on GPS monitoring, but he has allegedly been noncompliant with GPS monitoring for another case. Jones also has two additional pending cases in DC.

Malik West is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance while armed. Documents state that West, 20, was stopped by officers in Northeast, DC, where they allegedly discovered a firearm as well as narcotics in his possession. According to court documents, West told the officers he keeps the gun for protection.

West’s defense counsel requested his release, citing his limited criminal history, which only includes one conviction. Judge McKenna denied the request and decided to hold West, saying he poses a threat to the community.

Judge McKenna also held Stephanie Tucker, who is charged with two new cases and was also brought in on a bench warrant for failing to appear at her hearing in a pending case. In her two new cases, Tucker, 21, is charged with second-degree theft and simple assault. Judge McKenna said she decided to hold the defendant due to the serious allegations in the assault case and because the defendant has incurred “a lot of cases in a very short period of time.”

Of those who were released, four were charged on misdemeanors in domestic violence cases. Three of the defendants were given stay-away orders, though the fourth was reminded of a stay-away order that is already in place in another, pending case.

Judge McKenna released five defendants who are charged with felonies. The charges include carrying a pistol without a license, unlawful possession of liquid PCP, assault with a dangerous weapon and first-degree sexual abuse of a minor. Two of the defendants were ordered to wear GPS monitoring devices, while the defendant charged with sexual abuse was also ordered to 24-hour home confinement through the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP).

Two defendants charged as fugitives from justice and one charged with a traffic offense were also released. The fugitives were ordered to turn themselves in to the demanding jurisdictions, and the traffic offense defendant was ordered not to drive without a valid license or after consuming alcohol or drugs.

Judge McKenna also released eight defendants charged with misdemeanors and four defendants brought in on bench warrants for failing to appear at their hearings. Five of the misdemeanor defendants were given stay-away orders while the rest were ordered to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

One final defendant was still in the hospital, so his hearing was moved to Nov. 25.

Document: Suspect Sought for Burglary

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is looking for a suspect in relation to a burglary of an establishment that occurred on Nov. 21.

At around 9:51 a.m., the suspect broke into an establishment on the 800 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW. The suspect damaged and stole property before fleeing the scene.

The suspect can be seen in the photos below.

Document: Police Warn Public About Telephone Scam

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is warning the public about a financial telephone scam involving callers posing as social workers in the attempt to extort people.

The MPD has been alerted of phone calls in which the scammers tell people that an active warrant from the MPD has been issued against them and they must pay money to absolve the issue.

In a press release, police reminded the public that the MPD will never solicit anyone for monetary funds.

They also advised people to do the following if they receive similar unsolicited phone calls:

  • Don’t give in to pressure to take immediate action.
  • Don’t engage in any conversation, as scammers may record your response.
  • Don’t provide your credit card number, bank account information, or other personal information to a caller.
  • Don’t send money if a caller tells you to wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card.
  • Don’t travel to any location the caller asked you to go to.

Instead, they advise that recipients of these calls contact their local police department to report the incident. They also advise anyone who has been a victim of this scam in DC to contact the Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit at 202-727-4159 or mpd.fraud-unit@dc.gov.

Document: Police Seek Suspect for Burglary in Northwest, DC

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is looking for a suspect in connection to a second-degree burglary that occurred on Nov. 21.

At approximately 6:20 a.m., the suspect broke into an establishment on the 1300 block of F Street, NW and took property before fleeing the scene.

The suspect can be seen in photos in the press release below.

Document: Suspect Sought for Robbery Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is looking for a suspect in connection to a robbery that occurred on Nov. 22.

At approximately 7:56 a.m., the suspected entered an establishment on the 1900 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE. The suspect demanded money and other items from the establishment, and the victims complied.

The suspect was captured by a nearby camera and can be seen in the video below.

Crime Alerts: November 24-25

Between 9 p.m. on Nov. 24 and 9 a.m. on Nov. 25, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out five crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 8:24 a.m. for a robbery on the unit block of M Street, SE. Police are looking for a male of unknown race with a light complexion, 6’2″ in height, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. He was last seen headed towards Half Street.

An alert for a robbery of an establishment (a 7-Eleven) was sent at 6:26 a.m. on the 900 block of Eastern Avenue, NE. Police are looking for a Black male wearing a white hoodie. He is also wearing black track pants with a white stripe and neon yellow designs on the sides and black shoes. He is thought to be in his late 20s or early 30s.

At 1:48 a.m., an alert was sent for an armed robbery investigation on the 800 block of Bladensburg Road, NE. Police are looking for two Black males, both wearing dark clothing and face masks with dark complexions. One is short and one is tall, and one of the suspects was armed with a knife.

Another armed robbery investigation alert was sent at 1:14 a.m. on the 2400 block of New York Avenue, NE. Police are looking for two Black males. The first suspect is thought to be between 6’2″ and 6’3″ in height with a dark complexion and wearing dark clothing. The second suspect has a medium complexion, wearing dark clothing and armed with a long gun. Both were seen in an older model, green Honda Accord with Georgia tags #RSX3007.

The final alert was sent at 12:11 a.m. for a robbery investigation on the 1000 block of 4th Street, NW. Police are looking for two Black males. The first suspect is short with a heavy build and light complexion, wearing a camouflage mask and armed with a black shotgun. The second suspect is tall with a dark complexion, wearing dark clothing.

Judge Finds Substantial Probability in Double Homicide Case

After seven minutes of deliberation, a DC Superior Court judge found substantial probability in a double homicide case. 

George Bernard Shaw III is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the Oct. 10 shooting of Marcus Nelson, 59, and Simmeon Williams, 39, on the 1700 block of Irving Street, NE. 

Defense attorney Ieeshaah Murphy argued that her client acted in self-defense because after the two victims reportedly broke into the defendant’s home and started a fight. She said he was trying to protect both himself and his family, who were present at the time. 

During the Nov. 24 hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that the autopsy report concluded that Nelson was shot 11 times and William was shot 13 times. 

The prosecution showed video surveillance from an establishment across the street that appears to show the defendant chasing Nelson into the street. The short chase is followed by both men falling, but Shaw getting up quicker and standing over Nelson before shooting him multiple times in the head.

The video also shows Shaw moving back towards his house out of the frame. However, multiple loud sounds are heard in the audio after Shaw is no longer in the frame. The prosecution and MPD allege that those sounds are the gunshots that kill Williams. 

The prosecution argued that self-defense is not a viable defense because of the use of excessive force and pre-meditation.

Towards the end of the fight, Williams had allegedly been shot in the leg by Shaw before the defendant chased Nelson into the street. The prosecutor pointed out that it is not self-defense to return to Williams and shoot him multiple times after he has already been incapacitated. 

However, Murphy argued that the prosecution was viewing her client’s action with a calm mind and not taking into account whether Shaw believed he was in imminent danger at the time of the crime. 

She also argued that, in the heat of passion, a person may reasonably believe something, such as excessive force is necessary when in reality it is not. 

She pointed out that there are at least four minutes from the point when video evidence shows the descendants walking to the house to the point when it captures Nelson’s death. Physical evidence in the house also points to a violent struggle. 

“Four minutes is a long time to be in your own house and be subjected to an assault by outsiders,” said Murphy. 

After making his substantial probability ruling and hearing arguments for detention, Judge Todd Edelman decided to hold Shaw.

He did say that Murphy made a good argument when she pointed out her client’s lack of a prior record. But, Judge Edelman recalled an MPD search warrant of Shaw’s room in which police found liquid PCP, a bulletproof vest, a shoulder holster and a firearm magazine pouch.

He also said Shaw is the only defendant in a double homicide; therefore, he sided with the prosecutor. 

Shaw’s next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 11. 

Maria Marzullo wrote this article.