(AS) One killed, 10 wounded

I read an update to this story that said the pandit/guru died from the gunshot.

Posted on Sun, May. 24, 2009
At least 11 wounded in fight in Vienna temple

The Associated Press

VIENNA - Worshippers of Indian origin armed with knives and at least one gun fought one another in a temple in the Austrian capital on Sunday, and at least 11 were wounded, police and ambulance staff said.

Police spokesman Michael Takacs said the brawl occurred in Sikh temple, but Mohnder Ram, a worshipper who said he had attended services there for decades, said Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and others regularly attend the Shri Guru Ravidass Temple. He said the attackers were Sikhs from a temple in another Vienna district.

Witnesses said the fighting erupted between worshippers in a dispute over the sermon.

Police said at least six men, one wielding a gun and the others knives, attacked the preacher. Other worshippers rushed to his aid, resulting in the melee.

Police spokesman Michael Takacs said all six attackers were in critical condition, while the wounds of the others were less serious. More people may have been slightly hurt and run out of the temple before police arrived, he said. Takacs said he did not know the motive of the brawl. He identified the temple as Sikh.

Ram, 72, said, "I heard four to five shots" in the temple. "People started screaming, children were crying as they ran out. It was like war. There was lots of blood everywhere."

Ram said the preacher, whom he said was Hindu, was among those shot.

An unidentified witness cited by the Austria Press Agency said the brawl was started by fundamentalist Sikhs from a higher caste, who accused the guru of being disrespectful with the Holy Book.

All the wounded were men of Indian origin and estimated between 30 and 50 years old, spokesman Bernhard Segal of Vienna medical services said.

Ram said about 400 people were at the service when the fight broke out in the temple, in a residential building of the working-class Viennese neighborhood.

Four ambulances and three medical helicopters transported the victims to hospitals.

The temple is situated in Vienna-Rudolfsheim, the capital's 15th district near Westbahnhof, one of Vienna's main train stations. Police cordoned off the area.

,,,

Associated Press writer Eric Willemsen contributed to this report.

(NZ) Gunmnan forces police seige

Posted on Fri, May. 8, 2009

NZ police retrieve officer's body; siege continues

RAY LILLEY

The Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - New Zealand police opened fire from armored personnel carriers Friday so they could retrieve the body of a colleague killed outside a house by a gunman who has held authorities at bay for more than 30 hours.

The siege closed down a section of the city of Napier for most of Thursday and all of Friday, with no immediate end in sight.

Armed police have surrounded the house where former army reservist Jan Molenaar, 51, fired a fusillade of shots from an automatic rifle at police who arrived early Thursday with a warrant to search the house for cannabis.

One officer was shot dead and two others seriously wounded, along with a bystander.

Volleys of gunfire over the past day had stymied police attempts to retrieve the body and rescue a police dog trapped in a nearby van, Superintendent Sam Hoyle said.

At dusk Friday, two light armored vehicles drove toward the house, with armed police crouching behind them for cover, an eyewitness told National Radio.

"There were some shots fired from the house , it's dark now and we could see the flash," said the eyewitness, who was identified only as Brody. "They returned fire from the guns on the tanks."

Less than half an hour later, one of the vehicles returned to the police base with the body of the dead officer.

"We are pleased for the family that we are able to bring him out , it has been a traumatic and immensely difficult time for them," Hoyle said.

Hoyle has said police prefer to wait out the gunman rather than storm the house.

Intermittent negotiations with the gunman have been tense, and the suspect fired on police outside the house in the suburb of Hospital Hill "dozens of times" overnight Thursday, Hoyle said.

"We are dealing with a very complex character and, as you might expect in negotiations going on for this amount of time, he goes through various mood swings," he told reporters.

More than 500 residents of the port city remained cut off from their homes by the standoff, and local businesses and three nearby schools remained closed.

The two wounded police officers and the civilian , who was shot as he wrestled with Molenaar during Thursday's melee , remained in critical condition in a hospital.

New Zealand, a South Pacific nation of 4 million people famous worldwide for its stunning wilderness and idyllic lifestyle, is among few countries in the world where police routinely do not carry guns. The officer shot dead was the 29th killed on duty in New Zealand since 1890.

(RU) Moscow policeman opens fire in public, kills 3

Posted on Mon, Apr. 27, 2009


Moscow policeman opens fire in public, kills 3

DAVID NOWAK

The Associated Press

MOSCOW - A Moscow district police chief opened fire on the street and in a supermarket early Monday, killing three people and wounding seven others , four of them critically, Russian investigators said.

Police Maj. Denis Yevsyukov, who heads a southern Moscow police department, opened fire just after midnight and was detained after killing a driver, a supermarket cashier and customer, federal investigators said in a statement.

Yevsyukov, whose wife had recently left him, finished his late shift Sunday and hitched a ride to the supermarket, Moscow police chief Vladimir Pronin told Russian television. Yevsyukov was in civilian clothes, with one part of his uniform slung around his shoulders, Pronin said.

Yevsyukov shot the driver of the car with a gun that Russian news agencies reported was unlicensed. Yevsyukov then entered a supermarket and killed a cashier and customer before shooting at least seven others, authorities said.

Details of those killed were unavailable, but Russian news agency Interfax reported that four people were hospitalized with head injuries and they were aged between 19 and 23.

Russian television network NTV reported that supermarket employees activated a silent alarm to alert police as the shooting progressed. Yevsyukov shot and missed at an officer who managed to disarm and detain him, NTV said.

"He killed the cashier, we know for sure, and then there were more shots, three shots inside the store," a young, unnamed female witness told NTV. "Then a shop assistant came running up to us and asked: 'What are you doing here? There is a killer here and you should run away,'" the witness said.

(This version CORRECTS time element to Monday sted Sunday, 'district' sted 'regional' police chief.)

MoCO Home Invasions Update 4-16-09

I know I've been remiss in keeping the home invasion updates, err, updated, but that pesky job gets in the way. I have a backlog of reports that I've been compiling. I hope to post them in the next few days.

I'm going to start linking the originating source website in the title; it's much faser that way/

Washington Post
Crime Report

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Montgomery County

These were among incidents reported by the Montgomery County Police Department. For information, call 240-773-5030.

District 1 Rockville Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BURGUNDY DR., 600 block, 3:40 p.m. March 27. A man trying to force a door at a residence fled when confronted by an occupant.

District 2 Bethesda Station

SEXUAL ASSAULTS

EAST WEST HWY., 1500-1900 block, March 29. A man forced his way into a woman's apartment and sexually assaulted her. She escaped, and a man was arrested at the scene.

District 3 Silver Spring Station

ROBBERIES

PINEY BRANCH RD., 9000 block, 4:13 a.m. March 25. Three men wearing bandanas over their faces entered a residence, attacked an occupant who had been sleeping, took property and fled.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BELVEDERE PL., 9700 block, 1:50 p.m. March 27. Property was stolen from a residence.

CONOVER DR., 10300 block, 12:05 p.m. March 30. An attempt was made to break into a residence. Nothing was reported missing.

DILSTON RD., 1500 block, 8:28 a.m. March 25. A residence was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing.

GREENCASTLE RIDGE TERR., 13500 block, 11:40 a.m. to 12:04 p.m. March 26. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

District 4 Wheaton Station

ROBBERIES

EUGENE ST., 2400 block, 11:25 a.m. March 24. A residence was entered. A man, 43, was arrested.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BONIFANT PARK PL., 14400 block, 5:30 to 6 p.m. March 23. Property was stolen from a residence.

CARLISLE CT., 13700 block, 11 a.m. to noon March 25. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

CHESTERWOOD DR., 3900 block, 8 to 8:30 p.m. March 25. Property was stolen from a residence.

MINDEN RD., 3900 block, 12:30 p.m. March 29. An attempt was made to break into a residence. Nothing was reported missing.

WEEPING WILLOW CT., 3300 block, 1:45 p.m. March 29. A male entered a residence, then fled when confronted by an occupant.

WIMBLEDON CIR., 2200 block, 7 p.m. March 30. A male entered a residence and fled when confronted by an occupant. Nothing was reported missing.

District 5 Germantown Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BROMFIELD RD., 13900 block, 9 a.m. to noon March 30. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force. At 12:05 p.m., a residence was broken into in the 13800 block of Rockingham Road. Two people arrested at the scene admitted to the earlier burglary on Bromfield Road.

SPINNING WHEEL DR., 13600 block, 10:30 a.m. March 25. A person entered a residence and fled when confronted by an occupant. Nothing was reported missing.

District 6 Gaithersburg Station

ASSAULTS

FREDERICK AVE. N., 400 block, 10 p.m. March 26. An assault occurred at an apartment. Three people were arrested. Three other assailants were being sought.

ROBBERIES

DOCENA CT., 1:30 p.m. March 27. In what police described as a home-invasion robbery, a man entered a residence, searched most of the rooms, took property and fled.

NATHAN'S PL., 18800 block, 5:20 to 5:40 p.m. March 30. Five male teenagers asked a man if they could use his cellphone, assaulted him and fled. A short time later, the group tried to rob a pedestrian in the 9900 block of Lake Landing Drive. Their intended victim in the second incident was an plainclothes police officer. Five youths were arrested.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

SEQUOIA DR., 17600 block, 1 p.m. March 23. Property was stolen from an apartment.


-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

(GA)College Student Shoots, Kills Home Invader

College Student Shoots, Kills Home Invader

Posted: 4:53 pm EDT May 4, 2009Updated: 9:09 am EDT May 7, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Ga. -- A group of college students said they are lucky to be alive and they’re thanking the quick-thinking of one of their own. Police said a fellow student shot and killed one of two masked me who burst into an apartment.

Channel 2 Action News reporter Tom Jones met with one of the students to talk about the incident.

“Apparently, his intent was to rape and murder us all,” said student Charles Bailey.

TOM JONES: College Student Shoots, Kills Home Invader

Bailey said he thought it was the end of his life and the lives of the 10 people inside his apartment for a birthday party after two masked men with guns burst in through a patio door.

“They just came in and separated the men from the women and said, ‘Give me your wallets and cell phones,’” said George Williams of the College Park Police Department.

Bailey said the gunmen started counting bullets. “The other guy asked how many (bullets) he had. He said he had enough,” said Bailey.

That’s when one student grabbed a gun out of a backpack and shot at the invader who was watching the men. The gunman ran out of the apartment.

The student then ran to the room where the second gunman, identified by police as 23-year-old Calvin Lavant, was holding the women.

“Apparently the guy was getting ready to rape his girlfriend. So he told the girls to get down and he started shooting. The guy jumped out of the window,” said Bailey.

A neighbor heard the shots and heard someone running nearby.

“And I heard someone say, ‘Someone help me. Call the police. Somebody call the police,’” said a neighbor.

The neighbor said she believes it was Lavant, who was found dead near his apartment, only one building away.

Bailey said he is just thankful one student risked his life to keep others alive.

“I think all of us are really cognizant of the fact that we could have all been killed,” said Bailey.

One female student was shot several times during the crossfire. She is expected to make a full recovery.

Police said they are close to making the arrest of the second suspect.

(UT)Resident shoots, kills intruder in Midvale apartment break-in

This is the first of a new series of posts that highlight someone kicking *ss.

Resident shoots, kills intruder in Midvale apartment break-in
As many as 10 storm Midvale home; one man is killed.

By Jason Bergreen And Erin Alberty

The Salt Lake Tribune

Salt Lake Tribune
Updated:05/06/2009 02:16:11 PM MDT

Midvale » A home invasion ended in a deadly spray of bullets early Tuesday when a Midvale man wrested a gun from one of the intruders and opened fire on them.

As many as 10 people were waiting outside an apartment near 1000 East and Watercress Lane (6995 South) when a 26-year-old answered a knock on the door about 1:30 a.m., said Midvale police Sgt. John Salazar. Wielding guns and knives, they pushed their way into the apartment, fighting the man and stabbing him in the hand, Salazar said. The man fled the apartment, followed by several assailants.

Still inside were the man's two nieces, 14 and 22, and the 22-year-old's boyfriend. One of the intruders hit the older sister, angering her boyfriend, Salazar said.

The boyfriend, 23, fought with the man and took hold of his gun.

He began shooting in the apartment, hitting another intruder. The heavily tattooed 31-year-old man, carrying two knives and a gun, was shot three times, Salazar said. He died in the apartment as the other attackers fled.

"I heard the screaming and I heard the gunshots," said neighbor Arun Sayam.

At least four shots were fired inside the apartment and at least three more outside. Investigators say one of the bullets also struck a female attacker, leaving a trail of blood outside.

Salazar said none of the bullets fired entered any of the surrounding apartments at the Springs of the Country Woods complex.

"I'm amazed that no one else was hurt," he said.

David Sandford, who lives in a second-story apartment just yards from where the shooting occurred, said he was listening to the television and reading a book when he heard five shots.

Sandford went to his bedroom and grabbed his gun for protection.

"I just wasn't sure what was going on," he said.

Sandford then went to his balcony and saw several people run south and one person run north.

Sandford, who has lived at the complex for about a year, called the attack "kind of disturbing."

Other witnesses, some huddled behind a trash bin in the parking lot, told police one of the attackers ran into a downstairs garage. Police used an explosive to force their way in but didn't find anyone.

Later, investigators recovered a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun and a .40-caliber handgun that had been tossed onto the roof of a nearby carport.

Police on Tuesday were still trying to determine a motive for the attack and confirm the identity of the man who was killed.

No arrests have been made.

Student shoots 3 in Greek college, kills himself

From:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/10/AR2009041000330_pf.html

Student shoots 3 in Greek college, kills himself

By DEREK GATOPOULOS and NICHOLAS PAPHITIS
The Associated Press
Friday, April 10, 2009; 1:55 PM

ATHENS, Greece -- A teenage gunman who wounded three people at a college in Greece and killed himself had warned of the attack hours earlier on an Internet posting that included photographs of him posing with weapons, police said.

The 19-year-old man, armed with two handguns and a knife, opened fire at the vocational training college in western Athens and then shot himself in the head, authorities said. He died in hospital several hours later.

One student was shot in the chest and seriously wounded and two men were shot outside the building and suffered lighter injuries, police and Health Ministry officials said.

The gunman left a note accusing his fellow students of picking on him, and posted the message on a social networking site.

"I have no reason to continue living. But, unluckily for you, I'm too selfish to leave and let you keep living ... ," he said in the note which was written in Greek.

"For me, you are all garbage. ...Whoever I see on the morning of April 10 will immediately become a target," he wrote, adding that he had been "rejected" by someone he had fallen in love with. "Until now, I have received nothing but rejection and contempt from those around me."

Police confirmed the man seen on the posting on the site was the 19-year-old gunman, whom they identified as Dimitris Patmanidis, an immigrant from the Georgian breakaway region of Abkhazia. Included in the posting _ put up about three hours before the attack _ are 17 photographs, several of which show the man pointing a gun at the camera.

Police seized a computer from the youth's home. They also said they were trying to determine where he got the weapons he used.

The youth had apparently planned to take more lives, police said, because he was carrying two guns and because of the language used in the Internet posting. He also had 66 9mm bullets, they said.

According to the police account, the gunman arrived around 8:45 a.m., a quarter of an hour after lessons had started at the OAED state unemployment agency's training college in the Athens Rendi district.

He shot the student victim on a college stairwell leading to the second floor before running out. He then shot two workers at a nearby shop who tried to stop him, one in the leg and the other in the arm. Then he went to a park close to the school and shot himself in the head, police said.

The injured 18-year-old student was shot in the chest, arms and legs, and the other two men had lighter injuries, the Health Ministry said. The two were identified by police as a 23-year-old Greek and a 47-year-old Albanian.

Fellow students and college staff described the gunman as a loner who favored black clothing and long overcoats.

"He was generally very well behaved. Teachers told me he did not socialize with the other kids," said college director Apostolos Pyrgolios, who witnessed part of the shooting.

"I heard a popping noise. I thought it was firecrackers and went to see what was happening. I saw Dimitris. He had a gun pointed at me and told me to get out the way. Then he ran out the building," he said.

Police spokesman Panayiotis Stathis told The Associated Press that the gunman shot his fellow student four times.

"It seems his motive was revenge," Stathis said.

1 dead, 3 wounded in Dutch shooting rampage

From: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/11/AR2009041100612_pf.html

1 dead, 3 wounded in Dutch shooting rampage

The Associated Press
Saturday, April 11, 2009; 11:41 AM

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands -- A man pulled a gun in a crowded Dutch cafe after an argument Saturday and shot a patron inside, then rushed outside where he shot three more people, one fatally, police said.

Panic erupted in the cafe when the first shot rang out, but several people chased the gunman when he ran outside, overpowered and disarmed him, and wrestled him to the ground until police arrived, said police spokesman Remco Spaninxs.

The man, a 44-year-old Rotterdam resident, had gotten into an argument in the bar earlier in the evening and was asked to leave, said Spaninxs. He returned later with a hand gun and began shooting.

One person was wounded inside and three people were hit on the street, one of whom died, Spaninxs said.

All the casualties were inside the Laurenshof Cafe when the shooting began shortly before 1 a.m., he said. It was unclear if the victims were among those who tried to grapple with the gunman.

Television footage shortly after the incident showed medics giving emergency treatment to the wounded and loading them into ambulances. The body of the victim lay under a white sheet inside a cordon of police tape. Spaninxs said people in the cafe were in shock, crying and holding each other.

The Laurenshof is a small but popular bar with live music near a shopping mall on Poolster Square in the east side of the port city of Rotterdam. A talent contest was under way at the time of the shooting. The music was loud and the atmosphere was good, Spaninxs said.

He said the motive for the shooting was under investigation, though it likely was related to the argument earlier in the evening.

Spaninxs said the suspect had no previous criminal record as far as he knew. Police withheld his identity in accordance with Dutch law.

Police said the fatality was a 46-year-old man from Rotterdam but gave no further details. The other victims suffered gunshot wounds in the lower body.

National Park CCW on hold

Some of you guys know that National Park CCW was temporarily blocked by a federal judge in DC on Thursday. I read over he opinion and order.

My interpretation is that the judge is giving DOI until April 20 to decide what to do. She claimed that DOI failed to adequately analyze any "reasonably foreseeable" effects of the rule change, and she opined that any DGU is such an "Effect." She also said that DOI didn't provide enough explanation for why the rule change reversing past policy is needed.

I think DOI can meet these hurdles.

1) Environmental impact
DOI just needs to explain that DGU's may happen at a rate that is perhaps unquantifiable.

2) Reversing past policy
In 1983, there were pretty much NO CCW laws, so anyone carrying a loaded firearm was breaking the law. 25 years later, that is not the case.

MoCO Home Invasions Update 3-19-09

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/18/AR2009031801826_pf.html

Crime Report

Thursday, March 19, 2009; GZ25

Montgomery County

These were among incidents reported by the Montgomery County Police Department. For information, call 240-773-5030.

DISTRICT 2 BETHESDA STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

WILSON LANE, 7100 block, 8:30 p.m. Feb. 23. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

DISTRICT 3 SILVER SPRING STATION

ASSAULTS

NEELY RD., 1600 block, 8:40 p.m. Feb. 23. A male entered a residence, shot a man and fled. A warrant has been issued for the assailant, who is an acquaintance of the victim.

WORTH AVE., 9300 block, 1:45 p.m. Feb. 26. A male forced his way into a residence and attacked an acquaintance. The assailant was arrested at the scene.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BRUNSWICK AVE., 10500 block, 10:30 p.m. Feb. 28. A male broke into a residence, then fled when confronted by an occupant who had heard glass shattering. Nothing was reported missing.

SEMINARY RD., 2400 block, 4:15 a.m. Feb. 27. An attempt was made to pry open a door at a residence. The intruder fled when confronted by an occupant.

DISTRICT 4 WHEATON STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

ELM GROVE CIR., 1200 block, 11 to 11:21 p.m. Feb. 23. A residence was entered by force.

DISTRICT 5 GERMANTOWN STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CONRAD CT., 25200 block, 2 a.m. Feb. 28. An attempt was made to break into a residence. The assailants fled when a homeowner arrived.

DISTRICT 6 GAITHERSBURG STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

DELLCASTLE CT., 10:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 25. Two males broke into a residence, then fled empty-handed when confronted.


-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

MoCO Home Invasions Update 3-12-09

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/11/AR2009031101849_pf.html

Crime Report

Thursday, March 12, 2009; GZ18

Montgomery County

These were among incidents reported by the Montgomery County Police Department. For information, call 240-773-5030.

DISTRICT 2 BETHESDA STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BETHESDA METRO CTR., 1 to 99 block, 6:20 a.m. Feb. 21. A burglary occurred at a hotel. An arrest was made.

DISTRICT 3 SILVER SPRING STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

ANGLETON TERR., 14200 block, 11:42 p.m. Feb. 18. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force. Three men were seen leaving the premises.

FEATHERWOOD CT., 1 to 99 block, 12:30 a.m. Feb. 19. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

NOLCREST DR. W., 900 block, 6 to 8:50 p.m. Feb. 19. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force. An attempt was made to break into a nearby residence. A Silver Spring man, 26, was arrested in connection with the two incidents.

STEWART LANE, 11500 block, 3:30 p.m. Feb. 21. Property was stolen from a residence.

DISTRICT 4 WHEATON STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

DOWNER DR., 12300 block, 2 p.m. Feb. 9. Property was taken from a residence. There was no sign of forced entry. Three males were seen leaving the premises.

DISTRICT 5 GERMANTOWN STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

GREAT PARK CIR., 12500 block, 5:30 a.m. Feb. 21. A residence was entered. Nothing was reported missing.

PIEDMONT TRAIL RD., 12600 block, 12:42 p.m. Feb. 19. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

DISTRICT 6 GAITHERSBURG STATION

ROBBERIES

DIAMOND AVE. W., 11:30 p.m. Feb. 24. A male wearing a mask and two females forced their way into a residence at gunpoint, then assaulted a male occupant, took property and fled.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

MoCO Home Invasions Update 3-12-09

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/11/AR2009031101849_pf.html

Crime Report

Thursday, March 12, 2009; GZ18

Montgomery County

These were among incidents reported by the Montgomery County Police Department. For information, call 240-773-5030.

DISTRICT 2 BETHESDA STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BETHESDA METRO CTR., 1 to 99 block, 6:20 a.m. Feb. 21. A burglary occurred at a hotel. An arrest was made.

DISTRICT 3 SILVER SPRING STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

ANGLETON TERR., 14200 block, 11:42 p.m. Feb. 18. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force. Three men were seen leaving the premises.

FEATHERWOOD CT., 1 to 99 block, 12:30 a.m. Feb. 19. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

NOLCREST DR. W., 900 block, 6 to 8:50 p.m. Feb. 19. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force. An attempt was made to break into a nearby residence. A Silver Spring man, 26, was arrested in connection with the two incidents.

STEWART LANE, 11500 block, 3:30 p.m. Feb. 21. Property was stolen from a residence.

DISTRICT 4 WHEATON STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

DOWNER DR., 12300 block, 2 p.m. Feb. 9. Property was taken from a residence. There was no sign of forced entry. Three males were seen leaving the premises.

DISTRICT 5 GERMANTOWN STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

GREAT PARK CIR., 12500 block, 5:30 a.m. Feb. 21. A residence was entered. Nothing was reported missing.

PIEDMONT TRAIL RD., 12600 block, 12:42 p.m. Feb. 19. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

DISTRICT 6 GAITHERSBURG STATION

ROBBERIES

DIAMOND AVE. W., 11:30 p.m. Feb. 24. A male wearing a mask and two females forced their way into a residence at gunpoint, then assaulted a male occupant, took property and fled.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

MoCO Home Invasions Update 3-5-09

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/04/AR2009030401762_pf.html

Crime Report

Thursday, March 5, 2009; GZ15

Montgomery County

These were among incidents reported by the Montgomery County Police Department. For information, call 240-773-5030.

DISTRICT 1 ROCKVILLE STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CRABB AVE., 700 block, 12:55 a.m. Feb. 15. In what was described as a domestic incident, a residential burglary occurred. A person was arrested nearby.

LEWIS AVE., 1000 block, 3:44 a.m. Feb. 14. An occupied residence was entered by smashing glass in a door. The intruder fled when confronted. A man was arrested nearby.

DISTRICT 2 BETHESDA STATION

PEEPING TOM INCIDENTS

WEYMOUTH ST., 10600 block, 8:50 p.m. Feb. 10. A man looking inside an apartment window fled when confronted.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

ROCTON CT., 7700 block, 3:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Property was stolen from a residence.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

BROADMOOR DR., 8400 block, 12:01 to 7 a.m. Feb. 11. A vehicle was stolen from a garage at a residence entered by force. The vehicle was recovered. Three people were arrested in the District in connection with the incident.

District 3 Silver Spring Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CHERRY HILL RD., 11400 block, 3:30 a.m. Feb. 14. A man wearing a puffy coat tried to break into a residence.

CHERRY HILL RD., 11400 block, 3:30 a.m. Feb. 14. A residence was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing.

PINEY BRANCH RD., 9300 block, 9:17 p.m. Feb. 10. A residence was entered.

DISTRICT 4 WHEATON STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

ARCOLA AVE., 2500 block, 1 p.m. Feb. 9. Three men tried to break into a residence.

DOWNER DR., 12300 block, 2 p.m. Feb. 9. Property was stolen from a residence.

GREENSPAN LANE, 14200 block, 3 p.m. Feb. 10. An attempt was made to break into a residence. Nothing was reported missing.

TURKEY BRANCH PKWY., 12600 block, 12:50 to 1:10 p.m. Feb. 11. Property was stolen from a residence. Two men were arrested. The property was recovered.

DISTRICT 5 GERMANTOWN STATION

PEEPING TOM INCIDENTS

GUNNERS BRANCH RD., 19500 block, Feb. 9. A peeping-Tom incident occurred.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

ISLAND VIEW CIR., 12100 block, 3 to 4 a.m. Feb. 14. An attempt was made to enter a residence by forcing a storm door.

ISLAND VIEW CIR., 12100 block, 5 to 6 a.m. Feb. 14. A an attempt was made to break into a residence by forcing the front door. The intruder fled when an occupant yelled. Nothing was reported missing.

SKIP JACK DR., 12100 block, 5:45 a.m. Feb. 14. An intruder who tried to enter a residence by forcing the front door fled when confronted by an occupant. A person was arrested nearby.

TARRAGON WAY, 18600 block, 12:01 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 14. An attempt was made to enter a residence by forcing a sliding-glass back door. Occupants were awakened by the sound of breaking glass.

DISTRICT 6 GAITHERSBURG STATION

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

WESTLAND DR. S., 16500 block, 1:45 p.m. Feb. 13. A man broke into a residence, then fled when confronted. The intruder drove away in a silver minivan with tinted windows. Nothing was reported missing.

WESTLAND DR. S., 16600 block, Feb. 9. A man who said that he worked for the county told a woman working in her yard that he needed to inspect her basement. While he was there, two other men went in the home and took cash from an upstairs room.

ROCKVILLE

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

MONROE ST., 300 block, 9 p.m. Feb. 19. Two lockboxes containing handguns were stolen from an apartment.

TAKOMA PARK

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

FLOWER AVE., 8100 block, 1:20 p.m. Feb. 23. A man tried to break into a residence. He fled when confronted. Nothing was reported missing.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

MoCO Home Invasions Update 2-26-09

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/25/AR2009022501876_pf.html

Crime Report

Thursday, February 26, 2009; GZ20

Montgomery County

These were among incidents reported by the Montgomery County Police Department. For information, call 240-773-5030.


District 1 Rockville Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

HUNGERFORD DR., 500 block, 4:20 p.m. Feb. 8. An attempt was made to enter an occupied residence. The intruder fled after opening the front door. Nothing was reported missing.

WADE AVE., 900 block, Feb. 3. A residential burglary occurred. Two people were arrested on the scene.

District 2 Bethesda Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

WEST VIRGINIA AVE., 4400 block, 5 p.m. Feb. 3. Property was taken from a bedroom dresser by a man who said he and an accomplice were utility workers who needed to check on pipes.

District 3 Silver Spring Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

EISNER ST., 400 block, 3:10 p.m. Feb. 7. An attempt was made to break into a residence.

NAGLEE DR., 10400 block, 3:45 p.m. Feb. 6. An attempt was made to enter a residence. The intruder fled empty-handed in a Ford Crown Victoria.

District 4 Wheaton Station

PEEPING TOM INCIDENTS

CRICKET LANE, 14100 block, 5 p.m. Feb. 4. A man fled after being confronted while looking inside a residence through a sliding-glass door.

ROBBERIES

SINGERS GLEN DR., 3500 block, 12:37 p.m. Feb. 4. Three males forced a man inside his house from his front porch at gunpoint. The victim was ordered to the floor, struck with the weapon and robbed of property. The assailants fled in a black Honda. A short time later, the vehicle was stopped. Two Silver Spring males in the vehicle were arrested.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

ARCOLA AVE., 2500 block, 1 p.m. Feb. 9. An attempt was made to break into an occupied residence. Three men were seen leaving the premises. Nothing was reported missing.

CHIPPING CT., 17700 block, 8:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 7. A residence was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing.

UPTON DR., 300 block, 1:01 a.m. Feb. 7. An attempt was made to break into a residence.

District 5 Germantown Station

PEEPING TOM INCIDENTS

GUNNERS BRANCH RD., 19500 block, 7 a.m. Feb. 6. A man fled after being confronted by a woman he was looking at through a window at a residence.

GUNNERS BRANCH RD., 19500 block, 6:30 a.m. Feb. 9. A man fled after being confronted by a woman he was looking at through a window at a residence.

District 6 Gaithersburg Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

SNOW VALLEY CT., 8700 block, 4 a.m. Feb. 11. A burglary occurred at a house, with residents awakened by the sound of their vehicle being driven away. An arrest was made.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

MoCO Home Invasions Update 2-19-09

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/18/AR2009021801662_pf.html

Crime Report

Thursday, February 19, 2009; GZ21

Montgomery County

These were among incidents reported by the Montgomery County Police Department. For information, call 240-773-5030.

District 3 Silver Spring Station

PEEPING TOM INCIDENTS

CASTLE BLVD., 14100 block, 5 a.m. Jan. 31. A man looking into a window at a residence fled when a woman inside saw him and picked up a cellphone.

ROBBERIES

LOCKWOOD DR., 11500 block, 8:38 p.m. Feb. 1. Two armed men robbed a woman of property as she was entering her apartment.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BERLEIGH HILL CT., 3700 block, 9 to 9:20 a.m. Jan. 27. Property was taken from a residence entered by force. Two males were seen leaving the premises.

BLACKBURN LANE, 3900 block, 10 to 10:10 p.m. Feb. 2. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

GRACEFIELD RD., 2900 block, 12:40 p.m. Jan. 29. Two men carrying backpacks tried to enter a residence. They fled empty-handed in a red 2006 Nissan.

District 4 Wheaton Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

AMHERST AVE., 11500 block, Jan. 30. A residence was entered. Two men were seen leaving the premises.

TELLURIDE PL., 2600 block, 2:06 a.m. Feb. 1. A residence was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing. A man, 24, was arrested.

WINDMILL TERR., 14800 block, 11:45 p.m. Jan. 26. An attempt was made to enter a residence through a door. An occupant heard a suspicious noise and confronted a male, who fled.

District 6 Gaithersburg Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

GREEN RUN CT., 20100 block, 3 to 5:30 a.m. Jan. 27. A bicycle was stolen from a garage at a residence entered through an unlocked door.

GREEN RUN CT., 20100 block, 3 to 5:30 a.m. Jan. 27. Cash was stolen from a vehicle in a garage entered by breaking a window.

Rockville

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

LAWSON WAY, 500 block, 9 a.m. Jan. 16. Property was stolen from a bedroom in a residence entered by prying open the back door.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

MoCO Home Invasions Update 2-12-09

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/11/AR2009021101826_pf.html

Crime Report

Thursday, February 12, 2009; GZ16

Montgomery County

These were among incidents reported by the Montgomery County Police Department. For information, call 240-773-5030.

District 1 Rockville Station

ROBBERIES

ALEUTIAN AVE., 13200 block, 10:10 p.m. Jan. 21. A man at a residence asked a teenager for cash and drugs, then threatened to shoot him. A 23-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BEAUVOIR BLVD., 17400 block, 2:45 p.m. Jan. 24. A man wearing a black mask over the lower part of his face rang a doorbell and was seen by an occupant as he looked through a window. After the occupant confronted the man, he fled to a waiting car, which drove away.

District 2 Bethesda Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BROAD ST., 6500 block, 6 p.m. Jan. 24. A person peering into a home through a sliding glass door fled when an occupant turned on lights. Nothing was reported missing.


WOODSIDE PL., 6900 block, 3:30 to 4 p.m. Jan. 20. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

District 3 Silver Spring Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BALD HILL CT., 14300 block. An attempt was made to enter a residence by force. Nothing was reported missing.

GREEN FOREST DR., 10200 block, 7 to 7:45 p.m. Jan. 24. Property was stolen from a residence.

HERSHFIELD CT., 2600 block, 12:40 to 12:55 p.m. Jan. 22. An attempt was made to enter a residence by force. Nothing was reported missing.

SOLMAR DR., 2200 block, 11:35 a.m. Jan. 21. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force. Three men were seen fleeing in a gray pickup truck.

District 4 Wheaton Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CROCKETT LANE, 1300 block, 10:10 a.m. Jan. 21. A residence was entered by force. Property was moved, but nothing was reported missing.

CROCKETT LANE, 1400 block, 10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21. A residence was entered by force. Property was moved, but nothing was reported missing.

WESTCHESTER DR., 1900 block, 11 a.m. Jan. 23. A man tried to enter an occupied residence. The intruder fled through the back yard when confronted. Nothing was reported missing.

District 5 Germantown Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CRYSTAL ROCK TERR., 12500 block, 11 p.m. Jan. 23. A residence was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing.

HUGHES RD., 17000 block, 2:05 p.m. Jan. 23. A residence was entered. Nothing was reported missing.

District 6 Gaithersburg Station Telephone: 240-773-5700

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CHERRYWOOD TERR., 100 block, 3 a.m. Jan. 23. Property and two cars were stolen from a residence. There was no sign of forced entry.

Takoma Park

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

HODGES LANE, unit block, 8:50 a.m. Feb. 3. A man tried to force his way into a residence. Nothing was reported missing.

-- Compiled by GERRI MARMER

and SARAH MARSTON

MoCO Home Invasions Update 2-5-09

WashPost

Crime Report

Thursday, February 5, 2009; GZ15

Montgomery County

These were among incidents recently received by the Montgomery County Police Department. For more information, call 240-773-5030.

District 1 Rockville Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

RIDGEWAY AVE., 5900 block, 1:35 p.m. Jan. 21. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

District 2 Bethesda Station

ROBBERIES

OLD GEORGETOWN RD., 11700 block, 2:40 a.m. Jan. 16. A man wearing a ski mask forced his way into a home, threatened two occupants with a hammer, took property and fled.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

WOODSIDE PL., 6900 block, 3:30 to 4 a.m. Jan. 20. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

District 3 Silver Spring Station

ROBBERIES

BROADMORE DR., 1000 block, 9:30 p.m. Jan. 13. Five people entered an acquaintance's residence and threatened a male occupant with a gun, then forced him to drive them several places before returning. No injuries were reported.

PINEY BRANCH RD., 9300 block, 1:55 p.m. Jan. 15. Four males entered an apartment and demanded property from a female occupant. When she refused, the intruders fled empty-handed. No injuries were reported.

PINEY BRANCH RD., 9300 block, 6:34 a.m. Jan. 15. Two men entered an apartment and demanded cash at gunpoint. A Bowie man, 29, and a man, 34, were arrested.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CASTLE BLVD., 13900 block, noon to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 14. An apartment was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing. An attempt was made to break into a second apartment.

MCKENNEY AVE., 10100 block, 8:48 a.m. Jan. 15. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

NORTHWEST DR., 400 block, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 15. An attempt was made to enter a residence.

PRISCILLA DR., 100 block, 5:20 p.m. Jan. 16. A male tried to enter a residence by force.

District 4 Wheaton Station

ASSAULTS

ORANGEWOOD ST., 14500 block, 3:52 a.m. Dec. 20. A man entered a residence, took a car key and fled. On Jan. 14, he returned and got inside a red Ford Focus, awakening the vehicle's owner. While driving away, the intruder struck an occupant of the home who stood in front of the vehicle in an attempt to prevent it from being stolen.

ROBBERIES

FAIRLAWN AVE., 15100 block, 2:51 a.m. Jan. 14. A male entered a residence, attacked two male occupants, took property and car keys, and fled in a vehicle owned by an occupant.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

LITTLETON ST., 12500 block, 11:40 to 11:53 a.m. Jan. 14. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

WEEPING WILLOW CT., 3300 block, 9:35 a.m. Jan. 12. A man entered a residence, then fled empty-handed when confronted by an occupant who had just returned home.

WENDY LANE, 3700 block, Jan. 15. A male entered a residence. A man of no fixed address was charged with burglary.

District 5 Germantown Station

ROBBERIES

CHERRYWOOD TERR., 100 block, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Property was stolen from a residence.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BRASSIE PL., 19600 block, Jan. 17. A residential burglary occurred. Intruders were arrested at the scene.

CHURUBUSCO LANE, 11:50 p.m. Jan. 18. A male entered a residence through an unlocked door, took property and fled when confronted.

Takoma Park

ASSAULTS

NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE., 7300 block, 8:30 p.m. Jan. 28. A person threatened and assaulted a person at a residence.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

MoCO Home Invasions Update 1-29-09

WashPost

Crime Report

Thursday, January 29, 2009; GZ15

Montgomery County

These were among incidents reported by the Montgomery County Police Department. For information, call 240-773-5030.

District 1 Rockville Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

TITONKA CT., 1 to 100 block, 5 to 5:30 a.m. Jan. 8. A residence was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing.

WADE AVE., 800 block, 1:30 to 2 p.m. Jan. 9. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

District 2 Bethesda Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

LELAND ST., 3300 block, 1:58 a.m. Jan. 8. An attempt was made to enter a residence by force. Nothing was reported missing.

ROSS RD., 2400 block, 12:15 p.m. Jan. 8. Two people tried to break into a residence, then fled empty-handed.

District 3 Silver Spring Station

ROBBERIES

HOLLYWOOD AVE., 600 block, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6. Four people took property from a man at his residence.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BRIARCLIFF MANOR WAY, 15200 block, 2:41 a.m. Jan. 10. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

MOUNT PISGAH RD., 9500 block, 5:15 to 5:23 p.m. Jan. 7. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

District 4 Wheaton Station

ROBBERIES

FAIRLAWN AVE., 15100 block, 2:51 a.m. Jan. 14. A male entered a residence and attacked two occupants. The intruder fled with personal property and a vehicle owned by a resident.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

LLEWELLYN FIELD RD., 3200 block, 3:20 a.m. Jan. 11. A man confronted while trying to break into a residence fled empty-handed in a Chevrolet Suburban.

MATEY RD., 13000 block, 3:48 p.m. Jan. 11. An occupied residence was entered. A 24-year-old man was arrested.

RAMPART WAY, 10900 block, 6:36 p.m. Jan. 7. A residence was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing.

SNOWBIRD TERR., 2700 block, 4:18 a.m. Jan. 12. A male entered a residence by force, then fled when confronted. Nothing was reported missing.

District 5 Germantown Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

SWEET MEADOW LANE, 20200 block, 11:02 a.m. Jan. 8. Property was stolen from a residence.

-- Compiled by GERRI MARMER and LISA M. BOLTON

MoCO Home Invasions Update 1-22-09

WashPost

Crime Report

Thursday, January 22, 2009; GZ15

Montgomery County

These were among incidents reported by the Montgomery County Police Department. For information, call 240-773-5030.

District 1 Rockville Station

ASSAULTS

BALTIMORE RD., 800 block, 9:15 p.m. Dec. 31. A person was assaulted at a residence.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

ALEUTIAN AVE., 13200 block, 5 to 5:20 a.m. Dec. 31. An attempt was made to break into a residence. Nothing was reported missing.

PICCARD DR., 1600 block, 3:50 a.m. Dec. 30. Two males tried to force their way into an occupied residence, then fled in a dark-colored Mazda. Nothing was reported missing.

District 5 Germantown Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BRINK RD., 8200 block, 6:25 p.m. Jan. 1. Two people forced their way into an occupied house. The intruders were arrested at the scene.

District 6 Gaithersburg Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

HIGHLAND HALL DR., 20700 block, 3:10 to 3:20 a.m. Jan. 3. Property was stolen from an occupied residence. There was no sign of forced entry.

Rockville

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

WADE AVE., 800 block, 2:53 p.m. Jan. 9. Cash was taken from a residence entered by breaking glass in a back door.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON and GERRI MARMER

MoCO Home Invasions Update 1-15-09

WashPost

Crime Report

Thursday, January 15, 2009; GZ17

Montgomery County

District 1 Rockville Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

MAIDSTONE LANE, 13500 block, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 24. An attempt was made to enter a residence.

District 2 Bethesda Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

MAINE AVE., 8900 block, 5 p.m. Dec. 27. An attempt was made to break into a residence.

District 4 Wheaton Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

DAWSON AVE., 2700 block, 3:20 a.m. Dec. 24. An intoxicated man entered an occupied residence, then fled empty-handed. A man, 31, of no fixed address, was arrested.

NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE., 14300 block, 1:20 a.m. Dec. 23. A man forced his way into an occupied residence through the front door, then refused to leave. A man, 21, was arrested.

TENBROOK DR., 10500 block, 2:20 to 2:26 p.m. Dec. 22. Two men entered a residence by force, took property and fled.

WINDMILL LANE, 1200 block, 2:39 a.m. Dec. 25. Property was taken from an occupied residence. A male wearing a ski mask fled when confronted. There was no sign of forced entry.

District 5 Germantown Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CRYSTAL ROCK DR., 19600 block, Dec. 23. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

SKIP JACK DR., 12100 block, 6 p.m. Dec. 24. Property was stolen from a residence.

District 6 Gaithersburg Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

SUNNYBROOK TERR., 300 block, midnight to 2 a.m. Dec. 28. An attempt was made to enter a residence.

Rockville

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

PICCARD DR., 1600 block, 3:50 to 3:56 a.m. Dec. 30. A residence was entered by kicking in the front door. Nothing was reported missing.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

MoCO Home Invasions Update 1-8-09

WashPost

Crime Report

Thursday, January 8, 2009; GZ16

Montgomery County

District 2 Bethesda Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BYEFORDE RD., 9500 block, 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 22. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

HELMSDALE RD., 7500 block, 11:30 a.m. Dec. 17. Property was taken from a residence broken into by two men who fled in a blue 2003 Ford F-150 pickup.

District 3 Silver Spring Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CASTLE WAY, 3400 block, 3:44 to 4 p.m. Dec. 22. A man wearing a blue baseball cap tried to enter a residence by force.

EASTERN AVE., 8000 block, 2:19 p.m. Dec. 20. An attempt was made to enter a residence by force. Nothing was reported missing.

FEATHERWOOD ST., 2000 block, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 19. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

PLYERS MILL RD., 2500 block, 3:30 a.m. Dec. 15. An attempt was made to enter a residence by force. A Silver Spring man, 44, was arrested.

District 4 Wheaton Station

ASSAULTS

WOODLARK DR., 13700 block, 1:51 a.m. Dec. 20. An aggravated assault occurred at a residence. After resisting police efforts to control him, a man wielding a knife was arrested.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

FLACK ST., 12800 block, 1:45 p.m. Dec. 20. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.


PEAR TREE CT., 3500 block, 11:50 p.m. Dec. 21. A man entered a residence, then left. Nothing was reported missing.

District 5 Germantown Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

EAGLES NEST CT., 12200 block, 4:25 a.m. Dec. 20. A person was arrested at the scene of a report of an indecent exposure.

OWL RUN WAY, 18500 block, 6:51 a.m. Dec. 16. Property was stolen from a residence.

District 6 Gaithersburg Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

MUDDY BRANCH RD., 400 block, 3:20 to 3:35 p.m. Dec. 17. Property was stolen from a residence.

RAINBOWVIEW PL., 8200 block, 10:30 p.m. Dec. 16. An attempt was made to enter a home. An occupant screamed and confronted the intruder, who fled empty-handed.

STONERIDGE DR., 17700 block, 1 to 3 a.m. Dec. 18. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

MoCo Home Invasions special 12-17-08

Gazette

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008

Second suspect convicted in robbery, home invasion
Gaithersburg man guilty in shooting that left man paralyzed

by Joe Beck | Staff Writer


A Gaithersburg man was convicted Monday in robbery and shooting that left a Germantown man paralyzed from the waist down last year.

Jeffrey Samuel Marcus, 30, of Orchard Drive in Gaithersburg, faces sentencing on Feb. 25 after the jury found him guilty Monday of six offenses, according to Assistant State's Attorney Amy Bills, who prosecuted the case. Marcus was convicted of first-degree assault, robbery with a dangerous weapon and first-degree burglary among other offenses, Bill said.

Marcus was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery, both charges involving two additional victims, Bills said.

A co-defendant in the case, Arthur A. Phillips, 28, of Gaithersburg is awaiting sentencing on 11 counts, including robbery with a dangerous weapon, first- degree assault and first degree burglary.

Court documents and testimony from the shooting victim in the first trial linked the crime to an attempt by the defendants to steal money and drugs left at the apartment on Crystal Rock Drive in Germantown by a friend of the victim.

The victim, 27, testified in November that he awakened in his bedroom Sept. 28, 2007, to find a masked man standing over him and yelling. The victim said the intruder shot him as he reached over to put on his glasses.

Two other roommates in the apartment are also identified as victims in the case. One had his nose broken by one or two of the assailants as they took his wallet and money. The intruders also stole a cell phone and money from a woman living in the apartment. She was uninjured.

A third defendant in the case, Bobby Allen Ebron, 34, of Gaithersburg received one year probation in January after pleading guilty to being an accessory to crimes committed by Phillips and Marcus. He was given one year probation in exchange for cooperating with the prosecution, according to court documents.

Once again: NO link between legal gun ownership and crime

Another data point from Australia, where legal gun ownership has boomed 34% since the ban, but yet crime and suicides are down.

Sydney Morning Herald

Premier agrees to another look at gun laws

Jonathan Dart
December 15, 2008

THE State Government has commissioned a report into gun crime six months after backing Shooters' Party amendments that watered down gun ownership laws.

The Premier, Nathan Rees, sought to temper the Government's stance on the issue yesterday, saying he would review the amendments this week when the report was handed down by the Attorney-General's department.

But even as Mr Rees delivered his comments, the Police Minister, Tony Kelly, held a media conference defending the changes, labelling them as sensible and commonsense despite opposition from the Police Association, the Opposition and gun control lobbyists.

Gun owners must undergo a mandatory 28-day waiting period to register all firearms. But under the amendments passed in June, the waiting period now applies only to the first weapon registered. The police also lost powers to revoke the licence of a gun club that fails to account for its members' licences.

Another amendment passed this month waived the 10-year waiting period for firearms owners to reapply for their licence after having an apprehended violence order against them extinguished.

It came as figures obtained by the National Coalition for Gun Control showed that there were now 687,690 firearms registered in NSW, a 33 per cent increase since 2002 when 516,468 firearms were on the street.

Mr Rees said the number of firearms in circulation did not mean it had become easier for criminals to obtain weapons.

"You could make the same argument about tanks out at Holsworthy," he said.

"Most people that own guns are responsible - they're club shooters or game shooters, that sort of thing - but if we have to adjust laws to prevent criminal behaviour we will do it.

"I've sought a report on the nature of how criminals are getting guns and at what rate and where the guns are coming from. Now if it's demonstrated to me that arising from that data, that we need to change the laws … then that is what we'll do."

Mr Rees said he would meet the National Coalition for Gun Control chairwoman, Samantha Lee, this week to discuss the laws.

It comes as the Herald revealed at the weekend that feuds between rival bikie gangs have led to 13 drive-by shootings in the past two weeks.

Figures published by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics show a decrease in firearm incidents in NSW between 2001 and 2005 as registrations increased, falling from 1600 incidents a year to less than 1000.

But the Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said the statistics would begin to show in coming years, and pointed to the amendments to apprehended violence orders as of particular concern.

"These are laws that the women's movement fought for 20 years ago," she said. "Women and children will die because of [the laws] because so often men use firearms in the heat of the moment."

The president of the Police Association, Bob Pritchard, said police checks for registering secondary weapons were unnecessary but said looser gun laws would put his members in greater danger.

"It's becoming more dangerous with the increase in the guns out in the community," he said. "It certainly increases the chance of theft and the possibility [of guns] falling into the wrong hands."

Gun policy was tightened after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in which 35 people died. In the following three years, 600,000 guns were taken out of circulation.

MoCo Home Invasions Update 12-18-08

WashPost

Thursday, December 18, 2008; GZ16

Montgomery County

These were among incidents recently received by the Montgomery County Police Department. For more information, call 240-773-5030.

District 1 Rockville Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CONGRESSIONAL LANE, 200 block, 10:50 a.m. Nov. 24. An attempt was made to enter a residence by force.

GOODFELLOW WAY, 7700 block, 6:30 to 7 a.m. Nov. 27. A residence was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing.

RIVER RD., 4000 block, 12:44 a.m. Nov. 28. A residence was entered. Nothing was reported missing. Two males, ages 17 and 18, a 15-year-old Potomac male, and a 16-year-old female were arrested.

District 3 Silver Spring Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BARRON ST., 8400 block, 3:15 p.m. Nov. 25. A man tried to enter a residence, then fled empty-handed when confronted. A 19-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested.

PINEY BRANCH RD., 9100 block, 8:50 to 9:20 a.m. Nov. 24. Property was stolen from a residence.

SIDNEY RD., 9900 block, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 24. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

District 4 Wheaton Station

ASSAULTS

LINDELL ST., 2700 block, Nov. 26. An aggravated assault occurred in a residence.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BLUERIDGE AVE., 2500 block, 7 to 8:15 p.m. Nov. 29. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

GEORGIA AVE., 14200 block, 12:15 p.m. Nov. 24. Property was taken from a residence entered by force. Two males were seen running toward the back of the residence.

District 5 Germantown Station

HOMICIDES

BETHESDA CHURCH RD., 9800 block, 12:01 to 6 a.m. Dec. 1. The body of Billy Joe Ray, 65, was found in his Damascus home. He had died from trauma to the upper body.

SEXUAL ASSAULTS

ZINNIA CIR., 19400 block, 6:20 a.m. Nov. 29. After ringing the doorbell, a masked male forced his way into a home and sexually assaulted an occupant.

District 6 Gaithersburg Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

EMORY WOODS TERR., 9100 block, noon Nov. 26. A residence was entered. Nothing was reported missing.

MAPLEWOOD CT., 9600 block, Nov. 25. A residential burglary occurred. The intruder was known to the occupant and was arrested at the scene.

MUNCASTER MILL RD., 7400 block, 3:30 a.m. Nov. 26. A man entered a garage at a residence, siphoned gas from a generator and fled.

YANKEE HARBOR DR., 7800 block, 2 p.m. Nov. 26. A group of youths broke into a townhouse. Eighteen youths were charged with burglary and with controlled dangerous substance violations.

Takoma Park

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

MAPLE AVE., 7200 block, 4:50 to 5 a.m. Dec. 5. A male was seen inside a home during a residential burglary.

SHERMAN AVE., 1 to 100 block, 4:45 to 4:49 a.m. Dec. 10. A man entered an occupied home, then fled empty-handed.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

MoCo Home Invasions Update 12-11-08

WashPost

Crime Report

Thursday, December 11, 2008; GZ17

Montgomery County

These were among incidents received recently by the Montgomery County Police Department. For information, call 240-773-5030.

District 1 Rockville Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CONGRESSIONAL LANE, 200 block, 11:06 a.m. Nov. 24. A residence was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing.

MIDWAY AVE., 13200 block, 12:48 p.m. Nov. 23. A man tried to enter a residence by force.

District 3 Silver Spring Station

PEEPING TOM INCIDENTS

JANUARY DR., 1700 block, 8:20 a.m. Nov. 17. A man was seen looking into a window of a residence. When confronted, he said he was an employee of a company and fled.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CARONA PL., 400 block, 2 to 3 a.m. Nov. 21. A person tried to enter a residence by force. When an occupant was awakened, the intruder fled. Nothing was reported missing.

CASTLE BLVD., 13800 block, 7:30 a.m. Nov. 19 to 7:30 a.m. Nov. 20, and 10:25 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 20. A burglary occurred at a residence. A few hours later, two men were seen trying to enter again. They fled empty-handed.

DALEVIEW DR., 9200 block, 2 to 3 a.m. Nov. 17. An attempted burglary occurred. No further information was available.

VITAL WAY, 1 to 100 block, midnight to 3:38 a.m. Nov. 22. An attempt was made to enter a residence by force.

District 4 Wheaton Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BEAVERWOOD LANE, 3200 block, 3 a.m. Nov. 19. A male entered a residence by force. Nothing was reported missing.

LANDGREEN ST., 4200 block, 12:35 p.m. Nov. 18. Three men entered a residence by force and fled empty-handed in a white van. Nothing was reported missing.

OLD BALTIMORE RD., 3600 block, 9 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 22. An attempt was made to enter a residence.

PEAR TREE LANE, 14200 block, 2:34 a.m. Nov. 20. A residence was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing.

District 5 Germantown Station

INDECENT EXPOSURE

LOWFIELD DR., 10500 block, 12:38 a.m. Nov. 24. A man on a deck outside a residence exposed himself to an occupant inside.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CHISWELL RD., 17100 block, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19. A male assaulted an acquaintance after entering his residence through an unlocked front door. Nothing was reported missing.

DEER PATH LANE, 13100 block, 11:51 p.m. Nov. 22 to 12:05 a.m. Nov. 23. An attempt was made to enter a residence.

District 6 Gaithersburg Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

EMORY GROVE RD., 8900 block, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 18. Property was stolen from a residence entered through an unlocked front door. Three youths were arrested.

FENCE POST CT., 18000 block, 7 to 7:20 p.m. Nov. 24. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

HAZELCREST DR., 17800 block, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23. An intruder was confronted inside a residence. He fled empty-handed.

WATKINS MEADOW TERR., 20400 block, 2:50 a.m. Nov. 25. Three youths tried to enter a home through a rear deck. When confronted by an occupant, they fled. Three youths were charged with burglary.

Rockville

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CONGRESSIONAL LANE, 200 block, 10:50 a.m. Nov. 24. Someone attempted to enter an apartment by prying open a window.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON

More MoCO home invasions than is reported?

My little blog tries to glean any info on suspected home invasions that official sources will begrudgingly admit. Here is something interesting from the Takoma Park PD:

City of Takoma Park official blog

December 10, 2008
COMMUNITY INFORMATION - A Message from the Chief of Police on Burglaries

Chief Ricucci of the Takoma Park Police Department has received many inquiries and concerns from citizens regarding the influx of residential burglaries in the months of November and December 2008. Most alarming to the citizens is the fact that burglars are entering their homes while they are still in their homes, oftentimes sleeping. Homeowners are waking up to find intruders standing in their residences. Fortunately, in all instances, there has been no threat of violence and the intruder or intruders have left without incident.

The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is working around the clock focusing on these rash of burglaries. They are working together with our Crime Analyst, who is working with the surrounding jurisdictions of Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and the District of Columbia. The Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) is conducting a specific detail, in plainclothes, focusing their efforts and strategies to apprehending the subject(s) responsible for these crimes. The Chief has placed extra patrol units throughout the City in an effort to make police presence even more visible. ( . . .more)

This is very interesting, because my MoCO Home invasion updates didn't really seem to have info on many "hot" burglaries in TP during that time. Maybe a PRA request is in order?

Serial Killer (without guns? Gee whiz? Whodathought?)

WashPost

Killer May Be Hunting Japanese Officials Associated With Loss of Pension Records

By Blaine Harden and Akiko Yamamoto
Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, November 20, 2008; A12

TOKYO, Nov. 19 -- Bureaucrats here have infuriated the Japanese public by losing millions of government pension records. This week, someone with a knife and a willingness to kill appears to be hunting them down.

Riddled with stab wounds, the bodies of Takehiko Yamaguchi, 66, and his wife, Michiko, 61, were found Tuesday morning in their home in a Tokyo suburb. Takehiko Yamaguchi was head of the Health and Welfare Ministry's pension division when the national pension system underwent a major record-keeping overhaul in 1985.

On Tuesday evening, Yasuko Yoshihara, 72, wife of former pension bureaucrat Kenji Yoshihara, 76, was stabbed in the chest by a man who came to her home in Tokyo claiming that he worked for a parcel delivery service, police said.

En route to a hospital she said that her husband, who was not at home when the attack occurred, "may be a target and is in danger," according to Japanese news media. Kenji Yoshihara's tenure as head of the Social Insurance Agency in the mid-1980s coincided with the botched computerization of Japan's pension records.

Millions of those records have since gone missing, outraging the elderly and contributing to the resignations of two prime ministers.

The mess continues, and many Japanese fear they may not receive full pension benefits on retirement.

The homes where the knife attacks occurred are about six miles apart. After each assault, a man fled on foot, leaving bloody footprints that police are trying to match.

Authorities said the attacks shared at least three elements: the backgrounds of the victims or intended victims; the use of a knife; and the place where the knifings occurred. In both houses, the victims were stabbed near the front door.

"We should never allow the culprit to commit a third crime, if the two cases are related," said Tsuyoshi Yoneda, chief of the National Police Agency's criminal bureau.

Police announced a nationwide alert for attacks against current and former government officials involved in welfare issues, and security at what is now the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry was boosted.

Prime Minister Taro Aso said Wednesday there is no conclusive evidence that the attacks are related. Still, Aso will cancel his regular morning walk for the time being.

"While I don't know if the two cases are connected, they are indeed distressing," he said. "I would like to pray for the souls of the departed and for the recovery of the wife."

Asked whether the stabbings may have been acts of vengeance or terrorism targeting former welfare officials, Aso told reporters, "I cannot comment at this stage, when we don't know whether they are simply cases of assault or murder or not."

Aso also said there is no firm evidence of a link between the incidents and the work histories of the two former vice ministers. They are believed to have had influential roles in pension policies.

The fatal attack on Yamaguchi and his wife probably occurred Monday evening, police said. The kitchen fan was left on, suggesting that the couple may have been cooking dinner when their attacker came.

Police said a man with bloody shoes fled the Yamaguchi house toward a nearby commuter train station. Police are checking security videotapes at the station.

MoCo Home Invasions Update 12-4-08

WashPost

Crime Report

Thursday, December 4, 2008; GZ15

Montgomery County

These were among incidents recorded by the Montgomery County Police Department's Media Services Division. For information, call 240-773-5030.

District 1 Rockville Station

ASSAULTS

CLEARFIELD RD., 4400 block, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15. A man tried to enter a residence by force, cut the resident with a knife and fled.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

BRAXFIELD CT., 12400 block, 1 a.m. Nov. 1. Property was stolen from a residence.

FALLSGROVE DR., 700 block, 1:56 p.m. Nov. 17. Property was stolen from a residence.

HARRINGTON DR., 9300 block, 8:17 p.m. Nov. 12. A residence was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing.

TWINBROOK PKWY., 300 block, 6:05 p.m. Nov. 15. A residential burglary occurred. A man, 24, was arrested.

FIRST ST., 1200 block, 9:10 to 9:14 p.m. Nov. 11. A residence was entered by force. Nothing was reported missing.

District 2 Bethesda Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

ARROWOOD RD., 7100 block, 3 p.m. Nov. 11. A residence was entered. An Arizona man, 27, was arrested and charged with burglary.

KENWOOD FOREST LANE, 6700 block, 12:15 p.m. Nov. 12. A man tried to enter a residence.

SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT

SPRUELL DR., 4000 block, 9:30 a.m. Nov. 13. A man knocked on the door of a residence and told the man who answered the door that he worked for the gas company and needed to get inside to turn off gas to the residence. The man could not produce identification, and the resident refused to let him in. The man fled in a white Dodge pickup. A follow-up call to Washington Gas indicated no record of a service call to the address.

District 3 Silver Spring Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

CASTLE BLVD., 13900 block, 3:10 to 3:40 p.m. Nov. 12. Property was stolen from two residences.

PARK VALLEY RD., 100 block, 12:16 p.m. Nov. 17. A man entered a residence by force. A Hyattsville man, 46, was arrested and charged with residential burglary.

THAYER AVE., 500 block, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 10. A man took property from a residence and fled.

District 4 Wheaton Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

PEAR TREE CT., 14200 block, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 14. Two to four males entered a residence by force, took property and fled in a black sport-utility vehicle.

District 5 Germantown Station

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

OBSERVATION CT., 11:40 p.m. Nov. 15. An attempt was made to enter a residence by prying open a bedroom window.

Takoma Park

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

ERIE AVE., 700 block, 9:03 p.m. Nov. 24. A man entered a residence by force, took property and fled.

13TH AVE., 2:45 a.m. Nov. 24. Property was stolen from a residence entered by force.

-- Compiled by LISA M. BOLTON