Crime: Rash of Car Vandalism in Woodley Park; Georgetown Rabbi Attacked; DOJ Intervenes on D.C. Crime

Friday in Woodley Park this past Jan. 27 was no easy stroll for residents who had parked in the neighborhood the night before and then woke up to TV news from NBC4 that “more than 50 vehicles were broken into early Friday morning.” 

“Broken glass littered 29th Street, from Woodley Road to Calvert Street,” Jackie Benson of News4 reported. “Some cars still had the tell-tale tiny fragments of glass where a window had been….” 

“Many people in the neighborhood have experienced a car break-in over the years, but had never seen something of this magnitude,” Benson continued. While “no air bags were taken…. The suspect or suspects did rifle through the consoles and glove compartments of some of the vehicles, police said.”

Georgetown Rabbi Attacked

Next day, disturbing news in The Washington Post only added to the sense that Georgetown is not immune from D.C.’s ongoing “crime crisis.” 

A “prominent young” Rabbi, Menachem Shemtov, 29, reported being “violently attacked” around 10:15 a.m. by a Lyft driver as he was returning – still in his rabbinical garb – to his Georgetown home from a Chabad center in Adams Morgan where he was performing morning prayers on Sunday Jan. 28. According to Shemtov, the driver’s only reason for the assault was he “didn’t like [Shemtov’s] energy.” Following Shemtov’s request that the driver lower the volume of the music in the car, the driver purportedly demanded Shemtov exit the vehicle. The driver then also got out of the vehicle in pursuit of Shemtov, as seen on videos of the incident “taken by both Shemtov” and other eye-witnesses. 

The videos appear to “show the driver punching and hitting the rabbi with a set of keys,” the Post reported. The driver then fled the scene. “I didn’t engage back with him; I didn’t fight,” said Shemtov, director of Georgetown Chabad at Georgetown University. “This is the most aggressive thing [ever] to happen to me.”

Department of Justice Intervenes to Address Crime in D.C.

Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, announced Jan. 26 the Justice Department will be dedicating new resources to combating carjackings and the rise in violent crime in the nation’s capital. “Last year, we saw an encouraging decline in violent crime in many parts of the country, but there is much more work to do – including here in the District of Columbia,” Garland said in a Jan. 26 press release. 

According the The Washington Examiner, Washington, D.C., “ended 2023 with a 26 percent increase in overall crime compared to last year,” [per MPD and D.C. data]. And, “that included a 39 percent increase in violent crime, and carjackings rose for the sixth year in a row, totaling 959 reported incidents.”

“This surge in law enforcement resources will build on the Department’s efforts to target the individuals and organizations that are driving violent crime in the nation’s capital,” Garland added, per the Examiner. “The Justice Department will not rest until every community in our country is safe from the scourge of violent crime.”  

According to Garland, the DOJ will be introducing such resources as “a multi-component Gun Violence Analytic Cell (GVAC),” led by the FBI and collaborating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration,” the Examiner reported. “GVAC will use data analytics to sort through federal investigations to deter violent crime and carjackings.” 

The DOJ also added expanded efforts last year to add more prosecutors for the District. “We have been surgically targeting and prosecuting those driving violence within our community,” U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for Washington, D.C., said in the press release, per the Examiner. “The surge of resources to these efforts will allow us to continue to expand on these efforts and to take even more drivers of violence off our streets.” 

CVS and Target Locations Shutter in D.C. After “Organized Retail Thefts”

Though corporate headquarters for CVS and Target won’t admit “organized retail theft” is at all the reason, three Washington CVS Pharmacies inside Target stores will be closing in early 2024, beginning in February and continuing through April, per WUSA9.

In Oct. of 2023, WUSA9’s Leslie Moreno reported that customers visiting the pharmacy were “shocked to find the store nearly empty. Employees told us then that the store is consistently ransacked, even going so far to say that thieves target the store on new shipment days and steal merchandise before it even makes it onto the store shelves.” A CVS employee who wanted to remain anonymous also told WUSA 9, “Older guys, young, any age, come in, they get trash bags full. They take anything, everything!”

Among the CVS pharmacies to close: Tenleytown at 4500 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Target. 

Sometimes, just getting that one suspect off the street…

On Jan. 27, detectives from MPD’s Second District and agents from the FBI Washington Field Office Violent Crimes Task Force announced a “man has been arrested for multiple robberies that occurred at businesses in Northwest, D.C.:

• Armed Robbery (Hammer): On Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at approximately 6:15 p.m., the suspect entered a business and approached an employee in the 2400 block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest. The suspect brandished a hammer and demanded the employee to open the cash register. The employee complied and the suspect took money from the cash register then fled the scene. 
• Armed Robbery (Knife): On Thursday, August 31, 2023, at approximately 2:16 p.m., the suspect entered a business and approached an employee in the 2700 block of P Street, Northwest. The suspect brandished a knife and demanded the employee to open the cash register. The employee complied and the suspect took money from the cash register then fled the scene. 
• Armed Robbery (Gun): On Thursday, November 23, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the suspect entered a business in the 2400 Block of 37th Street, Northwest, and approached an employee. The suspect brandished a handgun and demanded money from the cash register. The employee complied and the suspect took money from the register then fled the scene. 
• Armed Robbery (Gun): On Friday, December 8, 2023, at approximately 8:45 p.m., the suspect entered a business in the 1600 Block of Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest, and approached an employee. The suspect brandished a handgun and demanded money from the cash register. The employee complied and the suspect took money from the register then fled the scene. 
• Robbery (Fear): On Saturday, December 16, 2023, at approximately 5:15 p.m., the suspect entered a business in the 2400 Block of 37th Street, Northwest, and approached an employee. The suspect had his hand in his pocket as though he had a weapon and demanded money from the cash register. The employee complied and the suspect took money from the register then fled the scene. 
• Attempted Armed Robbery (Gun): On Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at approximately 8:19 p.m., the suspect entered a business in the 2700 Block of P Street, Northwest, and approached an employee. The suspect brandished a handgun and demanded money from the cash register. The employee acted as though they could not access the register and the suspect fled the scene. 
• Armed Robbery (Gun): On Thursday, January 4, 2024, at approximately 3:03 p.m., the suspect entered a business in the 3000 Block of Q Street, Northwest and approached an employee. The suspect brandished a handgun and demanded money from the cash register. The suspect did not receive any money because the establishment is cashless. The suspect took property from the store and fled the scene. 
• Armed Robbery (Gun): On Friday, January 5, 2024, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the suspect entered a business in the 2400 Block of 37th Street, Northwest and approached an employee. The suspect brandished a handgun and took money from the cash register. The suspect also took property from the store as he fled the scene.
• Armed Robbery (Gun): On Monday, January 8, 2024, at approximately 6:06 p.m., the suspect entered a business in the 2400 Block of 37th Street, Northwest and approached an employee. The suspect brandished a handgun and took money from the cash register then fled the scene. CCN: 

On Jan. 26,”pursuant to a US District Court arrest warrant, 30-year-old Roberto McBean, of Northeast, D.C., was arrested and charged with the above offenses.”

MPD’s Weekly Firearm Recoveries

On Jan. 26, MPD issued its “Weekly Firearm Recoveries” report for Jan. 15-22. The report indicated 54 firearms were taken off the streets of the District. Of the 31 arrestees listed in the report, 11 (35 percent) were ages 21 or younger. The following entry captures the problem of “ghost gun” kits in the District intersecting with juvenile gun violence: “A .45 caliber “Ghost Gun” handgun was recovered in the 3000 block of 30th Street, Southeast. The following person was arrested: 17-year-old male juvenile, of Southeast, D.C., for Carrying a Pistol without a License, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Possession of Unregistered Ammunition, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance while Armed, and Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device.”

Recent Auto Theft Arrests in Northwest DC

On Jan. 26, MPD announced arrests in recent auto theft cases in the District. In Northwest, D.C., they include: 18-year-old Christian Martinez, of Northwest, DC, was arrested on  Jan. 24, for an Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle offense that occurred in the 1500 block of Spring Place, Northwest.

Local Reports

On Jan. 27, detectives from MPD’s Fourth District requested public assistance to “identify suspects who robbed a woman in the 600 block of Kenyon Street, NW.” At approximately 11:30 p.m., Jan. 24, “the victim was walking in an alley after parking her vehicle at the listed location,” the report said. “Two suspects [then] approached the victim displaying firearms while demanding property from the victim. The victim complied. The suspects [then] fled the scene in a vehicle. The suspects were captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in this video and photos below: https://youtu.be/zxa0N8Ommf8

On Jan. 26, detectives from MPD’s Fourth District requested public assistance to “identify suspects who robbed a man in the 3400 block of Holmead Place, NW.” On  Jan. 18, at approximately 4:04 p.m., the “man was walking when one of the suspects, while holding a handgun, told him not to move,” according to the report. “The additional suspects then took the man’s property then fled the scene. The suspects were captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/EzGeIM_6YEU

On Jan. 25, agents from the Force Investigation Team of MPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau announced an investigation into an “MPD officer-involved shooting” that occurred on Jan. 24 in the 1300 block of North Capitol Street, NW. At approximately 6:43 a.m., officers “responded to the 2500 block of Benning Road, Northeast, for a man experiencing a mental health crisis. Over the next two hours, the responding officers spoke with the man, successfully deescalating the situation. DC Fire and EMS then began transporting the man to an area hospital for additional treatment, and the responding officers followed behind the ambulance,” the report said. However, “during the transport, the man became combative and attacked the firefighter/paramedic who was riding with him, pinning her against the inside wall of the ambulance. She was able to slip out the side door of the ambulance and flee, and the man followed her outside. The officers that were following the ambulance went to stop the man, who lunged at and grabbed one of them. The officer attempted to stop the assaultive behavior by deploying OC spray [Oleoresin capsicum (OC). or “pepper spray”] and giving verbal commands. The OC spray did not take effect, and the man fled into traffic.”

“The officer [then] requested that additional units and an official respond to the scene to assist them,” the report continued. “The man then crawled underneath a nearby truck and emerged with a metal object clenched in his right hand. The officer directed the man to drop the metal object, but he refused and moved towards him with the object raised. The officer retreated backwards and again directed the man to drop the metal object. The man charged towards the officer, grabbed at him, and swung the metal object at him. At that time, the officer discharged his firearm, striking the man. The ambulance crew that was on scene attempted life-saving measures. After all efforts failed, the man was pronounced dead. He has been identified as 41-year-old Clifford Brooks, of Northeast, D.C.”

The report concluded: “The MPD member involved is a 31-year-veteran of the department, a Crisis Intervention Officer, and a member of the Emergency Response Team’s Auxiliary Negotiator Unit. He has been placed on administrative leave, pursuant to MPD policy. The officer activated his body worn camera. Body worn camera footage will be released pursuant to District of Columbia law. (D.C. Official Code § 5–116.33 (c)(2)).” 

On Jan. 25, MPD’s Second Watch Commander posted an alert on social media announcing an investigation into a “robbery” that occurred on Jan. 25, at 2:00 am in the 3200 block of P Street, NW. “The victim reported that he was walking towards his vehicle when he was approached by two masked suspects armed with handguns,” the alert said. “The victim was [then] assaulted by the suspects who demanded his property and vehicle. Stolen was a red Honda Pilot with a Virginia Tag TRP4416, which was followed by a white Kia SUV. The suspects were described as (2) black males, wearing black ski masks, and all-black clothing, armed with black handguns. Anyone with information is asked to contact MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.”

On Jan. 25, detectives from MPD’s Carjacking Task Force requested public assistance in identifying and locating a suspect and a vehicle “in connection to a carjacking, robbery, and kidnapping in the 400 block of K Street, Northwest.” On Jan. 9, at approximately 7:34 p.m., the “suspect swerved their car in front of the victim’s car causing him to stop. The suspect exited and approached the victim, who was still seated in their vehicle. After the victim rolled down their window, the suspect snatched the victim’s phone and assaulted him. The suspect then made the victim get into the passenger seat and the suspect drove the victim to an ATM to withdraw money. The suspect then drove the victim to an unknown location and dropped him off. The suspect fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. The suspect and the victim’s vehicle, a 2023 white Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, with MD tags 3FJ4177 and a damaged driver side rearview mirror, were captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in the photos below:

On Jan. 25, detectives from MPD’s Homicide Branch announced “two men have been arrested for a shooting that killed a man in Northwest, D.C.” At “approximately 3:08 a.m., Nov. 19,” the report said, “Third District officers responded to the 2100 block of 8th Street, Northwest, for the report of an unconscious person inside a parking garage. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim died at the scene. The victim has been identified as 24-year-old Anwar Wingate, of Forestville, Maryland. On Jan. 24,pursuant to DC Superior Court arrest warrants, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested 20-year-old Jayvon Thomas of Hyattsville, Maryland, and 19-year-old Lavar Hunter, of District Heights, Maryland. Both defendants were transported to the Homicide Branch where they were charged with First Degree Murder while Armed (Felony Murder).”

On Jan. 23, detectives from MPD’s Carjacking Task Force announced the “arrest of a preteen involved in a robbery and assault in Northwest, D.C.” On September 21, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the “first victim was standing next to his electric bicycle in the 1300 block of Irving Street, Northwest, when five suspects approached him from behind and attacked him,” the report said. “The suspects then took the first victim’s electric bicycle and attempted to flee. The first victim yelled for help, and the second victim, who was parking his vehicle nearby, left his vehicle running to come to the first victim’s aid. One of the suspects then jumped in the second victim’s vehicle, and the four other suspects surrounded the second victim and began to assault him. The suspects took the second victim’s car keys, and all five suspects fled with the second victim’s vehicle.” On Jan. 18, “pursuant to a DC Superior Court custody order, a 12-year-old juvenile male, of Northwest, D.C., was arrested and charged with Assault with Intent to Rob and Theft One (Stolen Auto).”

On Jan. 22, detectives from MPD’s Third District requested public assistance in identifying a suspect “who committed offenses at the following locations:  

• Jan. 15, at approximately 8:26 p.m., in the 100 block of Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest. Attempted Robbery.
• Jan. 16, at approximately 10:42 a.m., in the 1900 block of First Street, Northwest. Robbery.
• Jan. 21,  at approximately 1:41 p.m., in the 1900 block of First Street, Northwest. Robbery.

In each of these robberies, a “suspect enter[ed] the store brandishing a handgun [hen demanded] money and property” and then fled the scene on foot. The suspect was captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in the photos below and in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBie6g7l2Io

On Jan. 21, detectives from MPD’s Major Crash Investigations Unit announced an investigation into the “death of a man after a traffic crash” on Jan. 20. At approximately 1:01 a.m., the report said, “an adult male pedestrian was crossing 16th Street in or about the south crosswalk at 16th Street and Newton Street, Northwest. As the pedestrian was crossing the street, a Toyota Camry traveling northbound on 16th Street, struck the pedestrian, and fled the scene. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. On Sunday, January 21, 2024, the pedestrian succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced dead. The decedent has been identified as 39-year-old Delaverlure Dunbar, of Northwest, D.C.”

tagscar break-inscarjacking statisticscrimecrime crisisDOJMenachem ShemtovMerrick GarlandWoodley Park