Crime Report: Homicide, Robbery and Sexual Assault Investigations
By • October 3, 2022 0 1211
Despite efforts by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to address the city’s mounting gun-violence crisis, an alarming number of semi-automatic rifles, ghost guns and unlicensed handguns appear to be proliferating on city streets. In its last weekly update, MPD reported 53 “firearm recoveries” from Washington, D.C., residents.
“It is one of MPD’s main goals to safely remove illegal firearms from D.C. streets to reduce crime and the fear of crime in the community,” MPD reassured.
However, one particular stash of weapons MPD recovered on Sept. 22 suggests that residents’ firearm arsenals are growing. Without elaboration on circumstances, MPD reported seizing from a location on the 1500 block of T Street NW: “a Mauser 7.9/52 caliber rifle, a Marlin 80G .22 caliber rifle, an Ithaca Lefever Nitro Special 12 gauge shotgun, a Winchester .22 caliber rifle, a J.C. Higgins 588.11 12 gauge shotgun, an Acme 1896 12 gauge shotgun, a Springfield Armory 24 DL 12 gauge shotgun, a Browning Arms 12 gauge shotgun, a Smith & Wesson .22 caliber revolver, a Mossberg 410 shotgun, and a Winchester 67D 12 gauge shotgun.”
On October 3, MPD reported that its Homicide Branch is investigating a killing that occurred on Oct. 2 on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street NW. “At approximately 11:55 a.m., members of the First District responded” to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered “an adult male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.” Following examination by DC Fire and EMS, however, the victim, 22-year-old Antonio Waller of Northwest, D.C., was pronounced dead on the scene. MPD is offering “up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide committed in the District of Columbia.” To provide information, call MPD at: (202) 727-9099 or message MPD’s Text Tip Line at 50411.
Police arrested 32-year-old London Craig of Northeast D.C. on Sept. 29 for an “Armed Robbery (Gun) Offense” that “occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 2” in the 1900 block of Lamont Street NW. At approximately 5:07 p.m., Craig is alleged to have “approached the victim, brandished a handgun and demanded money.” After taking the “victim’s property,” Craig then “fled the scene” MPD reported.
A suspect in a “Burglary Two of an Establishment Offense” is being sought by MPD for a theft that occurred on Sunday, Sept. 25 in the 1600 block of 14th Street NW. At approximately 3:24 a.m., the “suspect forcibly gained entry” into the establishment and “once inside… took property then fled the scene.” The following surveillance images of the suspect were released by MPD:
Surveillance images of a “Burglary Two of an Establishment Offense” at 1600 block of 14th Street NW. MPD surveillance photo release.
Police arrested 27-year-old Darrius Hardy of no fixed address on charges of “Burglary One and Credit Card Fraud.” In a Sept. 28 press release, MPD alleged that Hardy “forcibly entered an occupied residence” on the 2800 Block of R Street NW at approximately 5:05 a.m. the previous morning and “once inside… took property and fled the scene.” Later, the victim’s credit cards were “used fraudulently,” according to MPD.
On Sept. 27, MPD Second District detectives asked for public assistance in the search for a suspect sought in an “Aggravated Assault Offense” alleged to have occurred on Thursday, Sept. 22 in the 4500 block of Wisconsin Ave. NW. At approximately 3:34 p.m., the press release stated, the suspect “approached the victim at the listed location” and then “assaulted the victim” resulting in “significant injuries” before the suspect fled the scene. According to MPD, the suspect was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/P3kD7FF3CLU. MPD is offering a $1000 reward for information that results in arrest and indictment in this case.
Following a fatal car crash on Saturday Sept. 24 at the intersection of Canal Road and Chain Bridge Road NW, police are asking “anyone who has knowledge” of the incident to call police at (202) 727-9099 or text the MPD Tip Line at 50411. According to an MPD press release, “preliminary investigation” into the traffic fatality revealed that at approximately 12:41 p.m., a “Hyundai Venue was traveling southbound on Canal Road NW approaching Chain Bridge Road “ when a “Volvo XC90 was traveling northbound on Canal Road and began to make a turn onto Chain Bridge Road NW.” After entering the intersection, the Hyundai “struck the Volvo head on as it was turning left.” Drivers of each car were transported by DC Fire and EMS to local hospitals for treatment of injuries. Following “all life saving efforts,” however, the driver of the Hyundai – 25-year-old Jefferson Leonel Garcia-Yanez of Monrovia, Maryland was pronounced dead.
On Sept. 28, police released a photo of a suspect in two alleged sexual abuse offenses occurring in the Second District on Monday, Sept. 26. At approximately 9:30 a.m. in the 1000 block of 17th Street NW and at approximately 10:00 a.m. in the 1100 block of New Hampshire Ave. NW the suspect – described as “a White or Hispanic male, who is approximately 30-40 years old, with a heavy build and slicked back hair” and “last seen riding a bicycle” – allegedly “engaged in unwanted sexual contact with the victim” before fleeing each scene. MPD is offering “a reward of up to $1000” for tips that lead to an arrest and indictment in this case and for other crimes in the District.
Meanwhile, MPD is alerting the public to be vigilant against an ongoing “police impersonator phone scam.” In a Sept. 28 press release, MPD issued a warning about a “financial telephone scam, where callers posing as representatives of MPD falsely assert criminal legal action in exchange for monetary funds.” Multiple phone calls “claiming that federal subpoenas and warrants have been issued” against the victims have been reported. “These calls are fake and not from anyone at MPD,” the agency said.
“The Metropolitan Police Department will never solicit anyone for monetary funds,” the press released said. “If you happen to receive unsolicited phone calls similar in nature,” MPD advised:
- 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.
“If you have been a victim of this scam in the District of Columbia, please contact the Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit at 202-727-4159 or mpd.fraud-unit@dc.gov,” MPD announced.
A long-serving explosives detection dog, K9 Rocket, died inside an MPD vehicle on Sept. 19. Courtesy MPD.
MPD “regrets to announce the passing of K9 Rocket,” the department said In a press release on Sept. 19. The beloved 7-year-old Malinois Shepherd which had served as a “long time explosives detection dog assigned to our Special Operations Division” was found “deceased by his handler inside of a marked MPD K9 vehicle.” The vehicle was “parked, secured and idling in the 2800 block of New York Ave NE,” per the announcement. However, “this tragic accident is currently under investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the dog’s death.”
