Crime: Terror at Georgetown Synagogue; Organized Retail Theft, Flashmobs

Despite the holidays being a time of “peace and joy,” the last few days in or near Georgetown have seen residents, holiday shoppers and visitors witnessing or responding to acts of terror, organized retail theft and flashmob robberies.

Hate Speech/Crime at Kesher Israel on Sunday

At around 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 17, a man drove his U-Haul van onto the sidewalk in front of the Kesher Israel Synagogue at 2801 N St. NW in Georgetown. (The temple has bollards at its N Street side but not at the corner of 28th Street.) He exited the vehicle and allegedly sprayed two congregants with a car repair lubricant. The two were not injured but were left with wet jackets — and shaken. One victim told The Georgetowner’s Editor-in-Chief Robert Devaney he was grateful the man did not become physically violent.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrived quickly and held the suspect as he shouted antisemitic remarks, such as “Gas the Jews,” and invoked the name of Jesus Christ, Devaney said. Several officers had to place the suspect on the ground for restraint before he was safely placed in the MPD vehicle and taken away. The surrounding block was taped off by police as they further examined the contents of the U-Haul.  

The suspect, identified by MPD Second District officers as Brent Wood, 33 – with last-known address, Toledo, Ohio – was arrested on the scene and charged with “Simple Assault and Resisting Arrest.” The incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime – though MPD stated in a press release that an incident “motivated by hate or bias” does not require it be prosecuted as such. Following a sweep of the suspect’s U-Haul, MPD officers found no evidence of explosives or hazardous materials. 

$50,000 Fence Squashed at Home Court  

At around 5 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 13, Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a call of stolen property at Home Court, the sneaker trading store at 1363 Wisconsin Ave. NW. The suspects allegedly stole $50,000 worth of footwear in Virginia and wanted to sell it in Georgetown. The vehicle used by the suspects bore a dealer’s license from Michigan — and was allegedly stolen earlier.

Suspect apprehended outside Home Court, the sneaker trading store at 1363 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Georgetowner photo.

Flashmob Hits CityCenter Chanel Boutique

Later yesterday, Dec. 18, at around 5:30 p.m. holiday shoppers were sent scrambling at the Chanel boutique at CityCenter on I St. NW as a security guard opened fire in response to an apparent flashmob-style robbery (i.e., organized retail theft organized in advance online) involving multiple suspects. According to MPD, two suspects were at the door while four others took items from inside. “Of the group, four entered and stole an undetermined amount of merchandise and they fled the scene,” said MPD Second District Commander Tatjana Savoy. One of the suspects was armed with a fire extinguisher and used it as a weapon, shooting it in the store as a distraction, MPD said. As the suspects departed, an armed security officer hired by the store discharged his weapon. According to Savoy, no one was struck by the shot. “At this time, we do not have any property damage, nor do we have any reported injuries,” Savoy said, per NBC Washington. “We have internal affairs on scene and they’re combing through… interviews and video footage.”

Team of Masked Gunmen Hold Up Wisconsin Ave. Verizon Store 

On Dec. 12, at around 2:45 p.m., police reported an armed robbery at the Verizon store in the 5200 block of Wisconsin Ave. NW. Authorities are seeking at least 5 suspects they said “stormed” into the store “and robbed employees and customers at gunpoint,” according to Fox5. Detectives said the masked suspects entered the business and “ordered the workers and customers to get face down on the floor of the storage room [whereupon] they forced one of the workers to give them the code to the store’s safe and were able to steal $80.00 in cash and an undisclosed amount of Apple and Samsung Galaxy merchandise… as well as wallets, bags, cash and bank card from the victims. All five suspects fled the scene in a red SUV.” Video of incident can be found here. 

MPD’s Year-to-Date Crime Statistics Show Little Progress

From Dec. 18, 2022 to today, MPD reports shocking increases in multiple categories of crime across the District. Alarmingly, “All Crime” has risen 27 percent; “Property Crime” has risen 25 percent; “Arson” has risen 150 percent; Homicide has risen 33 percent; “Robbery” has risen 69 percent; “Violent Crime” has risen 39 percent; Motor Vehicle Theft has risen 88 percent; and, “Theft Other” has risen 24 percent. Only “Sex Abuse” has shown measurable improvement, by 1 percent, while “Theft from Auto” shows a “O percent change” – strange as that is to imagine. (At CrimeCards.DC , MPD, however, reports conflicting information in the category of “Theft from Auto,” showing a drop from 7,501 incidents to 7,474 incidents.) The only other silver lining appears to be “Assault w/a Dangerous Weapon,” which only increased by 1 percent. 

On Dec. 15, the 260th homicide victim was reported in Washington, D.C., reflecting the “highest homicide count in a single year since 2002,” the Washington Post reported.

High Crime Jacks Up Security Costs for Local Restaurants

Given the District’s high-crime rates, a Dec. 5 Axios report spotlights mounting and exorbitant security expenses Washington restaurants are having to pay for private security, “It’s like the wild-west,” Bo Blair, owner of Surfside’s taco stand at Dupont Circle, said as he described spending up to $4000 per week to hire security guards at his 24-hour taqueria. “Why it matters: Independent D.C. businesses — many of them restaurants — are increasingly using pricey security details to defend against rising crime in the city. Yet with operational costs skyrocketing, many worry that the tab for safety is unsustainable,” the article said. 

Georgetown Main Street’s ‘Coffee & Community’ Hears About High Crime

Senior Correspondent for The Georgetowner, Peggy Sands, attended a recent Coffee & Community gathering held by Georgetown Main Street, and heard high-crime as a top worry. “Small businesses in Georgetown are concerned about rising retail and car crime in Georgetown and got a chance to sound off about it…,” she wrote. “The overall consensus solution was to have “MORE POLICE PRESENCE” on the streets and checking in on shops around Georgetown as a deterrence. Along with well-publicized and stricter rules regarding detention of criminal suspects, especially repetitive ones. There have to be consequences — which are not perceived now.”

MPD’s Weekly Firearm Recoveries

On Dec. 15, MPD released its “Weekly Firearm Recoveries” report from Dec. 4-11, reporting 63 firearms taken off the streets. Of the 44 arrestees listed in the report, 20 (or 45 percent) were age 21-or-younger. The following listing captures the ongoing problem of “ghost gun” (or, made-from-a-kit gun) proliferation among young residents in Northwest: “A 9mm caliber “Ghost Gun” handgun was recovered in the intersection of North Capitol Street and P Street Northwest. The following person was arrested: 20-year-old DeAngelo Jones, of Southeast D.C. for Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Receiving Stolen Property, Carrying a Pistol without a License, Possession of Unregistered Ammunition, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession, Leaving After Colliding, Threat to Injure or Kidnap a Person, Bench Warrant, and Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device.”

Local Reports

On Dec. 16, a three-alarm blaze sent flames through the roof of a former D.C. firehouse undergoing renovations in the 1600 block of N. Capitol Street NW. Approximately 125 Firefighters were dispatched at around 7:20 p.m. to put out the blaze in the “historic 19th-century building” according to the Washington Post. “Flames leaped into the air from the roof of the ornate brick structure in the Dutch Revival style,” the report said. All visible flames appeared to be extinguished by 11:00 p.m., but firefighters continued to douse the affected sites with water. Fire department spokesperson Vito Maggiolo said it appeared that a gas line may have fueled the conflagration at first. One firefighter had become trapped inside while combating the flames, but DC Fire & EMS said the situation had been “resolved” without apparent injury, according to the Post.

On Dec. 15, NBC Washington reported an 85-year-old D.C. man “stabbed” and “killed” his 81-year-old wife over a dispute about pancakes. “Steven Schwarts stabbed and killed his wife, Sharron Hilda Schwarts, at a Northwest D.C. apartment, the article said, “because he didn’t want to eat the pancakes she made him,” prosecutors announced. “Steven Schwarts fatally stabbed his wife Sharron Hilda Schwarts in the back at their home on Corcoran Street NW near Logan Circle, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said in a release on Thursday. “Schwarts was charged with second-degree murder while armed.”

On Dec. 16, MPD Second Watch Commander posted on social media a “Robbery of the Georgetown Running Company Store at 3401 M St. NW.”  At “about 4:10 pm, a threatening suspect claiming that he had a weapon demanded that the store employee open the cash register,” the post said. “After taking the cash in the register, the suspect demanded the watches in a display case. After the case was opened for him, he took several watches, put them in a plastic bag and ran out of the store. The suspect is described as being about 5’6”, about 30 years of age, a black male, having a heavy build, wearing a mask and all-black clothing. He was last seen running eastbound on M St.”

On Dec. 16, MPD’s Third District announced the arrest of “two men and a juvenile” for an “assault with the intent to commit a robbery offense” in the 1300 block of V St. NW. On Dec. 14, “at approximately 1:24 p.m., Officers were flagged down by the victim who advised that three suspects approached the victim from behind assaulted the victim then took the victims cell phone,” an MPD press release said. “The suspects then fled the scene without obtaining any property. On Thursday December 14, 2023, a 15-year-old juvenile male of Northeast, D.C., 18-year-old Jalyn Davis and 19-year-old Kaynon Edwards both of Southeast, D.C. were arrested and charged with Assault with the Intent to Commit Robbery.”

On Dec. 15, MPD announced arrests in recent car thefts in Northwest, D.C.:

Friday, December 8, 2023

• A 13-year-old juvenile male, of Northwest, DC, was arrested for a Theft One (Stolen Auto) offense that occurred in the 300 block of Delafield Place, Northwest.

Saturday, December 9, 2023

• 31-year-old Larry Evans, of Northeast, DC, 22-year-old Travon McCrae, of Northwest DC, and 23-year-old Rhaje Lassiter, of District Heights, MD, were arrested for an Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle offense that occurred in the 5500 block of 3rd Street, Northwest.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

• 27-year-old Michael Kirk, of Laurel, MD, and 26-year-old Nazaria Minor, of Southeast, DC, were arrested for an Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle offense that occurred in the 1300 block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest.  

On Dec. 13, detectives from MPD’s Second District announced a search for a “suspect who stole money from a shop in the 1300 Block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest.” On Nov. 22, at “approximately 12:37 p.m., the suspect entered a shop that was open for business,” MPD said in a press release. “The suspect entered a room in the rear of the of the shop, stole money, and then fled the scene. The suspect was captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in the photo below and in this video: https://youtu.be/7PxcMO793HI

On Dec. 13, detectives from the MPD’s Homicide Branch announced an investigation into a “shooting that killed a man in Northwest, DC.” On Dec. 12, at “approximately 6:54 p.m., Fourth District officers responded to the 1400 block of Buchanan Street, Northwest, for the report of a shooting,” an MPD press release said. “Upon arrival, officers located a man with gunshot wound injuries. He died at the scene. The victim has been identified as 49-year-old Neil Clark, of no fixed address.”

On Dec. 13, detectives from MPD’s Third District announced an arrest in a “Receiving Stolen Property offense” in the 1000 block of 1st St. NE, stemming from a Dec. 9 theft of a Salvation Army van from the 3300 block of Sherman Ave. NW.  On Dec. 11, Fox 5 “aired a news story about the stolen van” and “shortly afterwards, a viewer called the station to say they saw the stolen van near 1st St. and L St. NE. On Dec. 11, 58-year-old Michael Peete, of Northwest, DC, was arrested and charged. “This is what happens when our entire community — from eagle-eyed residents to local news media to our police officers — comes together to keep our city safe,” Chief Pamela A. Smith said. “This kind of collaboration is the key to reducing crime, and we’re very grateful to the viewer who assisted us by calling this tip in.” An MPD press release said, “The Metropolitan Police Department would like to extend special thanks to Fox 5.”

On Dec. 12, detectives from MPD’s First District announced a search for a “suspect who robbed a business at gunpoint in the 800 Block of 7th Street, Northwest. On August 2,  at “approximately 9:00 p.m., the suspect entered a business and approached an employee,” an MPD press release said. “The suspect brandished a handgun and demanded money. The employee complied and the suspect fled the scene. The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/wXSYLzc6xRQ

On Dec. 11, detectives from MPD’s Second District announced the search for suspects and a vehicle “after a suspect pointed a gun at the victim and took their vehicle in Northwest.” On Dec. 1, at “approximately
10:49 p.m., the suspect exited a vehicle and entered the victim’s vehicle in the 1100 block of Dahlia Street, Northwest. The victim witnessed the suspect enter their vehicle and confronted the suspect,” an MPD press release said. “The suspect brandished a handgun and pointed it at the victim. The suspect then drove away in the victim’s vehicle while following the suspect vehicle. The suspects and the suspects’ vehicle were captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/4wyvTLJBNNM.”

On Dec. 11, detectives from MPD’s Third, Fourth and Sixth Districts announced the arrest of a man for “a string of establishment robberies throughout the District.” On Dec. 10, “at approximately 5:20 pm, Fourth District officers responded to the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue, Northwest for the report of an armed robbery of an establishment. The suspect entered the business, displayed a handgun, and demanded money and property from employees,” an MPD press release said. “The suspect took property and fled the area before being quickly located and stopped by responding officers. 42-year-old Shawn Marshall Owens, of Southeast, D.C, was arrested and charged with Robbery While Armed (Gun) of an Establishment. Additionally, detectives from the Third District had previously obtained a United States Federal Court Arrest Warrant for Mr. Owens charging him in five (5) additional Armed Robbery (Gun) of an Establishment offenses that occurred at in the District:

• On Friday, July 14, 2023, at approximately 6:25 p.m. in the 4500 block of East Capitol Street, Northeast. CCN: 23118164
• On Saturday, July 29, 2023, at approximately 11:57 a.m., in the 4500 block of East Capitol Street, Northeast. CCN: 23123196
• On Saturday, September 2, 2023, at approximately 4:57 p.m., in the 1400 block of North Capitol Street, Northwest. CCN: 23144874
• On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at approximately 4:50 p.m., in the 1400 block of North Capitol Street, Northwest. CCN: 23151454
• On October 1, 2023, at approximately 4:05 p.m., in the 3100 block of Mount Pleasant Street, Northwest. CCN: 23161967

Detectives also charged Mr. Owens with two additional Armed Robbery (Gun) of an Establishment offenses that occurred in the District based on probable cause.

• On Saturday, September 23, 2023, at approximately 2:42 p.m., in the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, Southeast. CCN: 23157274
• On October 19, 2023, at approximately 9:35 a.m., in the 1400 block of North Capitol Street, Northwest. CCN: 23172312

On Dec. 11, detectives from M PD’s First District announced that a man has been arrested for “a robbery that occurred on September 8, 2023, in the 800 block of 7th Street, Northwest.” At “approximately 1:20 a.m., two suspects forced the victim to withdraw money from an ATM. One of the suspects later assaulted the victim,” an MPD press release said. On Dec. 8, “First District patrol officers stopped a suspect in reference to a narcotics investigation. During the investigation, the officers discovered the suspect had committed the earlier robbery. 28-year-old Marcus DuJuan Daniels, of Northeast, was arrested and charged with Robbery and Possession of a Controlled Substance.”

tags"organized retail theft"City Centercrime statisticsflashmobsHome CourtKesher Israel GeorgetownMPDTatjana SavoyYear-to-Date Crime Stats