Crime Alerts: June 29-30

Between 8 p.m. on June 29 and 8 a.m. on June 30, the Metropolitan Police Department sent out four crime alerts.

The most recent alert was sent at 6:37 a.m. for a robbery on the 300 block of Tuckerman Street, NW. Police are looking for four Black males. Suspect one is a Black male with medium build, 16-25 years old, 5’7″-5’9″ in height, short bush, wearing a white top and blue jeans. He was last seen in a blue Toyota Avalon with DC tags.

An alert for a shooting went out at 11:25 p.m. on the 2400 block of Elvans Road, SE. Police do not have any leads at this point.

Another alert for a shooting went out at 10:14 p.m. on the 4600 block of South Capital Street, SW. Police are not looking for anyone specific.

The final alert went out at 8:30 p.m. for a robbery on the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE. Police are looking for a Black male, 5’9″ in height, medium built, with dreads, dark complexion and armed with a black handgun. He was last seen heading east bound on Alabama Avenue, SE towards Branch Avenue, SE in a Gray Cherokee vehicle.

Anyone with information on these events should call 911. Please do not take any other action.

Mental Evaluation Scheduled for Burglary Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s request for a forensic mental exam, which will evaluate if her client is competent to stand trial.

On April 29, Tamer Castle was charged with second-degree burglary for an incident that occurred the previous day on the 1300 block of 9th Street, NW.

Castle’s defense attorney, Angela Ramsey, requested that the defendant be scheduled for a mental exam due to concerns about his mental health.

Judge Todd Edelman granted this request. A hearing to discuss the results is scheduled for July 14.

Preliminary Hearing Scheduled for Burglary Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense team’s request for a preliminary hearing.

On April 28, Willie Ingram was charged with second-degree burglary following an incident that occurred April 26 on the 4100 block of Georgia Ave, NW.

During the June 29 hearing, counsel said the prosecution offered Ingram a plea deal. However, Ingram did not want to take it.

Judge Todd Edelman scheduled the preliminary hearing, which will review the evidence and determine if there is probable cause, for July 8.

Judge Releases 24 of 25 Defendants During Initial Hearings

On June 29, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna released 24 defendants and held one defendant at the DC Jail.

Of the 24 released, two did not have charges filed against them. Nine of the cases were for domestic violence-related incidents.

A defendant was charged with simple assault, violation of a Civil Protection Order and destruction of property in a domestic violence case. Judge Juliet McKenna found probable cause and held the defendant, citing two additional cases that involved the same complainant.

Another defendant was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in a felony domestic violence case. The prosecution requested Judge McKenna place the defendant in the High Intensity Supervision Program (HISP), citing the alleged victim has a deep laceration from the incident and will need surgery.

The defendant’s defense attorney argued that she was acting in self defense. The defendant also had three family members present in court, and counsel noted that they will be able to help the defendant comply with release orders. Judge McKenna released the defendant with a stay-away order from the complainant.

One defendant was charged with tampering with a detection device. The defendant was released by Judge McKenna in this matter, but is being held on a parole warrant in a separate case.

Another defendant was charged with a bail violation after he did not show up for his hearing on March 12. The defendant had an underlying charge of second-degree theft. The defendant was released because his failure to appear was on the coincided with the city’s COVID-19 shutdown.

A defendant was charged with driving while under the influence, operating a vehicle while impaired, driving without a permit, and operating a vehicle after revocation. He was released by Judge McKenna, with some conditions. The defendant is not allowed to operate any vehicle without a valid driver’s license, and he must check in with Pretrial Services weekly, until a drug and alcohol assessment can be performed.

Three defendants were charged with carrying a pistol outside of their home or business. Out of the three defendants, two had additional charges that included possession of an unregistered firearm and ammunition and receiving stolen property.

Three defendants were charged with being fugitives from justice. All three were released by Judge McKenna per the prosecution’s request with instructions to turn themselves in to either Maryland or Virginia.

Two defendants were brought in on arrest warrants for failure to appear in hearings for their domestic violence cases. They were released with new court dates.

In another domestic violence case, a defendant was charged with assault, second-degree theft and contempt. The prosecution requested a hold, citing a pending misdemeanor case in which the defendant is charged with simple assault involving the same complainant. Judge McKenna released him with conditions. The defendant is required to wear a GPS monitoring device and has a stay-away order because of his criminal history.

Two defendants in domestic violence cases, one charged with simple assault and one charged with simple assault and attempted possession of a prohibited weapon, were released with no harassment orders for the alleged victims.

Two final defendants involved in domestic violence cases were released per the prosecution’s recommendation. One defendant was charged with stalking and the other defendant was charged with assault and destruction of property. Both were released with stay-away orders from the complainants and associated locations.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in Burglary Case

On June 25, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect in connection to a burglary offense that occurred on the 1700 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW.

The defendant, a 51-year-old man with no fixed address, allegedly broke into a store on June 22 and stole nearly $10,000 worth in bottles of alcohol. Five hours later, police found him striking the driver’s side window of a vehicle and cracking the glass. The defendant was identified, but because the offense (destruction of property) was a misdemeanor and the earlier offense had still not been reported, he was not kept in custody and had to be arrested again a few days later.

Video footage of the burglary shows the defendant wearing the same distinctive clothes as he was when he was stopped by police later that evening. A connection that authorities made on June 25.

The defendant was charged with burglary two and destruction of property less than $1,000 on June 26. He is being held without bail until his next hearing, which is scheduled for Aug. 12.

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Mental Evaluation Scheduled for Burglary Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge granted a defense attorney’s request for a forensic mental exam, which will evaluate if her client is competent to stand trial.

On April 29, Tamer Castle was charged with second-degree burglary for an incident that occurred the previous day on the 1300 block of 9th Street, NW.

Castle’s defense attorney, Angela Ramsey, requested that the defendant be scheduled for a mental exam due to concerns about his mental health.

Judge Todd Edelman granted this request. A hearing to discuss the results is scheduled for July 14.

Preliminary Hearing Scheduled for Assault Case

On June 29, a DC Superior Court judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for a defendant charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

On April 28, Jarrell Gayden was charged with assault with a gun for an incident that took place Feb. 19 on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

Defense attorney Elliott Queen requested a preliminary hearing to review the case’s evidence and determine if there is probable cause. Judge Todd Edelman granted the request.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 13.

Defense Requests Preliminary Hearing for Murder Case

A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for a first-degree murder case.

Knico Wheaton was arrested on April 28 for the murder of 41-year-old Tavon Cox, which occurred on Jan. 11 on the 700 block of 24th Street, NE.

Defense attorney David Richter requested a preliminary hearing in order to review the evidence, which Jude Todd Edelman accepted.

That hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21.

Document: Police Arrest Suspect in Armed Robbery

On June 28, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested a suspect in connection to an assault that occurred on the 4300 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE.

The defendant, a 31-year-old man, allegedly assaulted a man with a wooden stick inside a Shell gas station. The victim, injured and bleeding heavily from a wound on his head, flagged down officers, who called for medical assistance.

Believing he matched the description of the suspect as seen in video footage of the incident, officers arrested the defendant.

According to court documents, police say the defendant told them the assault was in response to the victim “disrespecting his family.”

The defendant has been charged with simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon. He is scheduled for a hearing on June 29.

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Document: MPD Arrests 7 Suspects in Connection to Robbery Cases

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested several suspects in robbery cases that occurred between June 20 and 26.

On June 26, police arrested a 23-year-old resident of Northeast DC in connection with an incident of armed robbery that occurred that same day. Police say the suspect attempted to take numerous victims’ wallets around the 1400 block of Morse Street, NE, but was subdued by a group of construction workers after he tried to flee the scene.

The defendant has been charged with armed robbery and is being held in jail while awaiting his next hearing, which is scheduled for Aug. 12.

On June 24, police arrested a 47-year-old resident of Southeast DC in connection with an incident that occurred that afternoon. The defendant is suspected of entering a store on the 2000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE and assaulting a victim before stealing their property and fleeing the scene.

Officers arrested the suspect about an hour later. According to court documents, the suspect was wearing the same clothes as the perpetrator and, when asked, told officers he was the man in the picture.

The suspect was charged with assault with intent to commit robbery on June 25. The judge released him with GPS monitoring pending his next court hearing, which is scheduled for Sept. 23.

On June 23, police arrested a 26-year-old resident of Northwest DC in connection with a robbery that occurred earlier that day. The man is suspected of entering his grandmother’s store on the 5500 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, and stealing money from the register. According to court documents, he was apprehended by police after a family member told the defendant’s grandmother where he was hiding.

The defendant has since been charged with robbery. He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 12.

On June 22, police arrested a 13-year-old boy from Northwest DC in reference to an incident that occurred on June 10 on the 1300 block of Upshur Street, NW. He is suspected of assaulting victims and attempting to take their property.

It is suspected that more than one suspect was involved in the incident. The case remains under investigation.

On June 21, police arrested a 28-year-old with no fixed address in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on the evening of June 8 on the 900 block of Madison Street, NW. When officers encountered the suspect, who witnesses named as the perpetrator, on the street two weeks later, they quickly apprehended him.

The man has since been charged with simple assault, attempted possession of a prohibited weapon and second-degree theft. He was released on his promise to return to court for his next hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.

On June 20, officers arrested two boys ages 16 and 17 in connection with an offense that occurred that same day on the 900 block of U Street, NW. The suspects were apprehended as they fled the scene.

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Judge Sentences Defendant to 9 Months of Unsupervised Probation

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to nine months of unsupervised probation on June 29.

Tiesha McDonald pleaded guilty to simple possession of cocaine. As part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, her initial charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle was dropped.

On March 11, two Metropolitan Police Department officers stopped McDonald, 31, for driving a stolen vehicle. Officers found a bag of cocaine in her possession.

McDonald said she had permission to drive the care, but the owner did not pick up the phone when the MPD attempted to verify.

McDonald said she knew she was holding an illegal street drug, but did not know it was cocaine. “I’m not a bad person. I’m not a criminal,” she said.

“She’s not a drug user,” her defense attorney, Ferguson Evans, told the judge. “She was holding them for someone else.”

Judge John Campbell ordered her to pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crimes Act fund.

McDonald’s charge will be dismissed if she successfully completes her probation.

Judge Releases Defendant to Home Confinement

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause in a case that involved a shooting, choosing to release the defendant under the high intensity supervision program (HISP).

D’Angelo Phillips was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm on March 5.

After hearing arguments from counsel, Judge Robert Okun ordered that Phillips be screened for home confinement.

All parties agreed that there was probable cause for the unlawful possession of a firearm charge. However, Phillips’ defense attorney Terrence Austin argued that there was no probable cause for the assault with a dangerous weapon charge.

Judge Okun found probable cause for the assault charge, calling his ruling a “close call”. The judge said that while there was probable cause for some of the victims, there was not probable cause for all of the victims.

Judge Okun said he based his ruling on the testimony of the lead detective who spoke on behalf of a responding officer.

According to court documents, on March 5, the responding officer was on patrol in full uniform when he heard gunshots.

The officer said he saw the defendant standing on the west side of the 2000 block of 14th Street, NW. The officer said the defendant was shooting at a group of people standing on the other side of the street.

The police have only named one of the people Phillips’ allegedly assaulted.

Phillips has a prior conviction for attempted distribution of a controlled substance, according to DC Courts.

When Phillips was arrested, officers found a Glock 22 .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun on the ground near him between two vehicles. There was one round in the chamber and another in the magazine.

The gun was reported to have been stolen from the US Marshall Service on Nov. 3, 2019.

On June 29, Austin questioned the lead detective about the use of alcohol by witnesses on the night in question. According to the detective, one witness had a couple of drinks, and another appeared to show signs of intoxication.

Austin also pointed out that one of the witnesses needed glasses to identify the defendant, and it is not known if that witness was wearing glasses at the time of the incident.

Austin requested that Phillips to be released on home confinement with his mother while awaiting trial, pointing out that he helps take care of several family members. Austin also raised concerns about the presence of the coronavirus at the DC Jail.

The defendant has been held in preventative detention for almost three months.

Judge Sentences Defendant to 18 Months of Unsupervised Probation

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced June 29 a defendant on 18 months of unsupervised probation.

According to court documents, on the night of Jan. 6, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers arrested Robert Boddie for distributing marijuana on the 1200 block of Madison Street, NW. Officers found more than 21 pounds of weed, hundreds of cartridges, edibles and a backpack containing around $1,000 in his van.

Boddie, 33, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.

“This is kind of a break,” said Judge John Campbell. “It was not half a pound of marijuana.”

The defendant lost his job and needed a new way to support his two young sons after their mother left.

Boddie was informed of a dispatching job that suited his experience. He said he was not aware that the job involved marijuana until he began work. He also said he did not know it was illegal until the officer told him.

“It’s everybody’s responsibility to know the law,” Judge Campbell said.

Boddie has no prior criminal history.

Boddie must also pay $50 to the Victims of Violent Crime Act fund.

All Boddie needs to do on probation is obey the law, Judge Campbell said.

Judge Doesn’t Release Man Charged With Assault

A DC Superior Court judge denied June 29 a request for release from a defendant charged with assault with the intent to kill.

On Jan. 13, Juan Galla Jr. allegedly shot and injured two men on the 300 block of Taylor Street, NE after getting into a verbal altercation with them. Galla had been punched in the face by one of the victims before a gun was discharged.

Defense attorney Nikki Lotze argued that her client would not pose a threat to the community once released. She said Galla has a place of residence in Upper Marlboro, Md. She then mentioned that Galla had a job prior to his arrest and his employers have described him as “hardworking and reliable”.

She also said her client is being detained for longer than he deserves because hearings are getting delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lotze also addressed an involuntary manslaughter conviction in 2008, saying the felony occurred when Galla was a minor and that he only received a three-year sentence.

However, the prosecutor said Galla’s manslaughter conviction, even though it happened a long time ago, does not make it any less serious.

She said Galla had been prohibited from owning a firearm, but his most recent case involved him discharging one.

Judge Erik Christian sided with the prosecution, saying all the judges who reviewed the case earlier denied Galla’s release because they thought he could be dangerous.

Galla is scheduled for a hearing on Sept. 23.

Document: Homicide on Mellon Street, SE

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are investigating a homicide on the 400 block of Mellon Street, SE on June 27.

Officers responded to reports of a shooting at 12:16 a.m. when they found 22-year-old George Coleman IV, inside of a residence, suffering from a gunshot wound. Coleman was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Coleman resided in Southeast, DC.

The MPD is still investigating this case.

The MPD is currently offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case or any other case in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s text tip line– 50411.

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