Crime Report: Bowser Signs Emergency Public Safety Act; Pinto, Citizens Meetings
By • July 24, 2023 0 1083
Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the Emergency Public Safety Act into law on July 20. It aims to curb violent crime. The District Council passed the bill earlier this month. It requires more community-focused policing and removing illegal guns from city streets. The law sunsets and must be made permanent by the Council in the fall.
Meanwhile, homicides in Washington, D.C., continued over the weekend, with two killings were reported in Columbia Heights. As of today, the Metropolitan Police Department reports a 18-percent increase in homicides over last year at this time — 138 (2023) to 117 (2022).
Woman Dies, Hit by Car in Hospital Parking Garage
Jewel Regina Bazilio-Bellegarde, 68, of Silver Spring, Maryland, died and at least five others were hurt after being struck by the driver of a car in the parking garage of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital on July 20.
A former federal employee and Georgetown University graduate, Bazilio-Bellegarde died at the hospital from her injuries. According to police, the additional victims — all adults — were treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. EMS first responders were called to the scene in the 3800 block of Reservoir Road NW around 12:45 p.m.
Pinto Meeting on Wednesday, July 26
Join Ward 2 Council member Brooke Pinto for community office hours in ANC 2E at Yellow cafe at 1524 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 26 — brookepintodc.com
Citizens’ Safety Meeting on Wednesday, July 26
Meet Metropolitan Police officers, Lt. Merzig and Sgt. Robinson on July 26. In light of recent criminal activity on the 3300 block of N Street, the Citizens Association of Georgetown’s Public Safety Committee and neighbors have arranged a meeting with MPD Second District Lieutenant John Merzig and Sergeant Philip Robinson on Wednesday, July 26, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 pm at the home of Tia and Joe Lotuff, 3301 N St. NW. All CAG members and concerned Georgetown residents are welcome. Lt. Merzig and Sgt. Robinson will be available to hear and listen to your concerns about crime in our neighborhood.
Kindly RSVP to BlockCaptainChair@cagtown.org.
MPD Updates (a partial listing):
Suspect Sought in Armed Robbery (Gun) Offenses in the Second and Third Districts
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force seek the public’s assistance in locating a suspect in reference to Armed Robbery (Gun) offenses that occurred on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in the Second and Third Districts.
- At approximately 2:15 am, the suspect exited a vehicle and approached the victims in the 2100 block of 18th Street, Northwest. The suspect brandished a handgun and demanded the victims’ property. The victims complied. The suspect took the victims’ property then fled the scene in the suspects’ vehicle. CCN 23-114-243
- At approximately 2:19 am, the suspects approached the victims in the 1800 block of Belmont Road, Northwest. The suspects brandished handguns and demanded property from the victims. The victims complied. The suspects took the victims’ property, then fled in the suspects’ vehicle. CCN 23-114-266
- At approximately 2:20 am, the suspects approached the victims at the intersection of Columbia Road and Wyoming Avenue, Northwest. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded property from the victims. One of the victims complied. The suspects took the victim’s property and fled the scene in the suspects’ vehicle. CCN 23-114-263
- At approximately 2:23 am, the suspects exited a vehicle and approached the victims in the 2000 block of Columbia Road, Northwest. The suspects brandished handguns and demanded property from the victims. The victims complied. The suspects took the victim’s property and fled the scene in the suspects’ vehicle. CCN 23-114-262
One of the suspects was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in the photos below:
Anyone who can identify this suspect or who has knowledge of this incident should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a violent crime committed in the District of Columbia.
Arrest Made in Armed Carjacking and Theft Offenses that Occurred in the District
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force announce an arrest has been made in Armed Carjacking and Theft offenses that occurred in the District. The offenses are listed below.
- Theft Two: On Monday, April 17, 2023, at approximately 2:07 pm, the suspect entered an establishment in the 5000 block of Connecticut Avenue, Northwest. The suspect took property then fled the scene. CCN: 23-059-756
- Theft One: On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at approximately 3:23 pm, the suspects entered an establishment in the 1200 block of G Street, Northwest. The suspects took property then fled the scene. CCN: 23-095-644
- Armed Carjacking (Gun): On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at approximately 2:33 am, the suspects were passengers in a ride share vehicle in the 1100 block of T Street, Northwest. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded the victim’s vehicle. The victim complied. The suspects fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. The victim’s vehicle has been recovered. CCN: 23-095-293
- Armed Carjacking (Gun): On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at approximately 11:09 pm, the suspects approached the victim, who was retrieving property from their vehicle, in the 800 block of Potomac Avenue, Southeast. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded the victim’s vehicle. The victim complied. The suspects fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. The victim’s vehicle has been recovered. CCN: 23-095-853
- Armed Carjacking (Gun): On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at approximately 2:05 am, the suspects approached the victim, who was retrieving property from their vehicle, in the 2600 block of Georgia Avenue, Northwest. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded the victim’s vehicle. The victim complied. The suspects fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. The victim’s vehicle has been recovered. CCN: 23-098-930
- Attempted Armed Carjacking (Gun): On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at approximately 2:30 am, the suspects’ vehicles blocked the victim, who was inside of their vehicle, in the 6300 block of Georgia Avenue, Northwest. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded the victim’s vehicle. The victim fled the scene in their vehicle. CCN: 23-099-606
- Armed Carjacking (Gun): On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at approximately 2:41 am, the suspects approached the victim, who was inside of their vehicle, in the 7400 block of Georgia Avenue, Northwest. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded the victim’s vehicle and property. The victim complied. The suspects fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. The victim’s vehicle has been recovered. CCN: 23-099-604
These cases remain under investigation. Anyone who has knowledge of these incidents should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a violent crime committed in the District of Columbia.
