Editor's Blog

The Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County Division is investigating two armed robberies at the Wheaton Ice Rink located at 11710 Orebaugh Ave, Wheaton, MD. The incidents took place on February 11, 2007 at 12:20 a.m. and March 13, 2007 at 10:29 a.m. In both cases three males wearing masks entered the facility with guns and stole an undisclosed amount of money. No one was hurt during these incidents.

In the first incident, suspect one is described as a black male, approximately 5’-09” and 130 lbs. He was wearing a black ski mask, black jacket, blue jeans, and black shoes. The second subject is described as a black male, approximately 6’-02” and 270 lbs. He was wearing a black ski mask and blue jeans.

In the second incident, suspect one was described as a black male, approximately 5’-10” and thin build. He was wearing a black facemask and dressed in all camouflage. The second suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6’-3” and 235 lbs. He was wearing a black facemask, a white short sleeve tee shirt over a black long sleeve shirt. He had shoulder length dreadlocks. The third suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5’-5” wearing a black camouflage hat with a fleece border.

Anyone who has information about the suspects and/or the incidents is asked to call 301-949-3010. Those who wish to remain anonymous should call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for these felony crimes.

Posted by EB at 04:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Clean Currents, LLC, a DC area sustainably-operated clean energy business announced today that it is sponsoring SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel’s Documentary Festival and donating offsets to make the event the first ever carbon neutral documentary film festival in the U.S.  The company will measure the carbon emissions from the energy used by the film festival and purchase clean energy credits to completely offset them. Clean Currents will also advise and help SILVERDOCS promote environmental initiatives during the week-long film fest in June.

“We’re pleased to help SILVERDOCS make an amazing statement about the need to fight global warming and protect our environment,” noted Gary Skulnik, Clean Currents’ President.  “Silver Spring was home to the mother of the environmental movement, Rachel Carson, and now it’s home to the first carbon neutral documentary film festival in the entire country.”

It is the 100th anniversary of Rachel Carson’s birth. The Silver Spring activist and writer is commonly credited with starting the environmental movement with her book, “Silent Spring.”

“SILVERDOCS is thrilled to partner with Clean Currents to do our part in the race to save our planet.  Documentary film has long been at the center of social awareness on environmental issues.  Taking the lead from Al Gore and Davis Guggenheim's AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, now we're not only talking, but changing how we do business. This June, SILVERDOCS will be carbon neutral, and we invite the documentary community to join us in going green” said Festival Director Patricia Finneran.

Clean Currents is also providing offsets to make the Silver Spring Grand Prix bicycle race this July carbon neutral. The Clean Currents Cycling Team, part of DC Velo, is the host of the race. Clean Currents has been establishing a strong presence in Silver Spring, reaching out to businesses and consumers to increase demand for clean energy solutions.

“We want to make Silver Spring the green capital of the region,” added Skulnik. “Businesses, arts organizations, non profits, government and people all need to be part of the solution to global warming.”

About Clean Currents

Clean Currents is a DC-area sustainably operated clean energy business established in 2005. The company promotes a sustainable future through achieving economic solutions to global warming and air pollution. Clean Currents is a proud member of the Clean Energy Partnership, Sustainable Business Network of Washington, Chesapeake Sustainable Business Network and Co-Op American Business Network. www.cleancurrents.com

About SILVERDOCS

SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival brings the best new documentaries to Washington, DC audiences, with six days of programming, showcasing 100 films from over 40 countries, plus special screenings and the 4-day International Documentary Conference. Now in its fifth year, SILVERDOCS is fast becoming the most talked about documentary festival in the United States. The Festival was founded by AFI, a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition, celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media and Discovery Communications, Inc., the leading global real-world media company with operations in 170 countries and territories reaching nearly 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers.  

The Festival—which will take place June 12 – 17, 2007—serves as a launch pad for independent documentaries, and affords international filmmakers access to US audiences. SILVERDOCS provides business and creative connections between filmmakers, broadcasters, distributors, and funders from both established and emerging media markets at the concurrent International Documentary Conference.

SILVERDOCS takes place at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, a year-round cinema complex presenting first-run art house film, calendared screening series and themed festivals. The 49,000 square-foot art deco complex houses three theaters—one historic, two new state-of-the-art stadium-style theaters—and a café; it is located in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, just across the street from Discovery World Headquarters. For more information, go to www.SILVERDOCS.com.

Posted by EB at 03:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 15, 2007 (2:30PM)
At approximately 1:28 PM, Police officials were summoned to the 8200 block of Sligo Creek Parkway for the report of a victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Officials found the victim suffering from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. No further information is available.

To track information from the police department, visit: www.takomaparkmd.gov/police/index.html .

— D/Cpl. Andrew M. John
Takoma Park Police
Police Information Officer

Posted by EB at 03:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 08, 2007

Crime Solvers is assisting the Takoma Park Police as they continue to investigate the March 2nd Commercial Armed Robbery of The Takoma Postal Business Center, 7304 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park. Crime Solvers of Montgomery County will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for the tip that leads to the identity, arrest and indictment of those responsible.

The suspects were described as: Suspect #1, a black male, mid 20's , 5'10"-6'00 wearing a dark hooded shirt, blue knit cap and large frame sunglasses, armed with a silver or chrome silver large frame revolver.

Suspect#2, a black male, mid 20's, thin build, wearing a dark hooded shirt with a multi print metallic design on the front and large frame sunglasses. No injuries were reported.

Takoma Park Detectives are investigating the possibility that these suspects are also linked to similar commercial armed robberies which have occurred in Takoma Park and neighboring jurisdictions. Detectives recovered the establishments video surveillance tape showing the suspects responsible for this incident. Video from this incident is available at the City web site, www.takomaparkmd.gov under "police quick links".

Anyone who has information about this robbery or the suspects depicted in the surveillance video or Community Crime Alert, should call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-800-673-2777 or the
Takoma Park Police at 301/891-7145. As always, callers to Crime Solvers never need to leave their name, just the information. If the anonymous tip leads to the identity, arrest and indictment of the
person(s) responsible, the caller will receive a cash reward of up to$1,000 from the Crime Solvers organization.

— D/Cpl. Andrew M. John
Takoma Park Police
Police Information Officer

Posted by EB at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Editor's note: The following is the summary of a meeting with Takoma Park Police Chief Ronald Ricucci. It was written by Takoma Park City Councilmember Bruce Williams.

I'd like to provide a short update on last night's meeting of Chief Ricucci and Lieutenant Collington with residents and business owners at the home of Jen Wofford and Dan Seligman. Business owners were there from TJ Market, the Coop, Salon 2000, the computer shop, and the postal/business center. Mayor Porter and Councilmember Austin-Lane were also there. There was a total of about 30 people in attendance.

The Chief talked about his background and his experience in law enforcement
for 38 years.

He talked about the approach that he knows works—for the police and the community to work in partnership to prevent and to solve crime.

He promised that bicycle patrols will start again in about six weeks, and that they will continue year round except for icy/snowy weather.

He promised that we will see officers in the community more, and that they will get out of their cars.

He also promised that we will get much more communication from the department, in a more timely fashion—witness the press releases that I have been forwarding and the coverage in the media including the excellent quality video from last Friday's robbery.

He spoke about some programs that he has established elsewhere that have worked, including citizen academies, and various programs for and partnerships with youth.

In response to questions, he talked about their current special shifts in the Old Town area including the Junction—there are extra officers on the street in cars and on foot from morning until evening. The officers are also being proactive in approaching people who fit the description of the suspects in the recent cases.

The Chief encourages anyone with any suspicions about a person or a situation to call the police and report it—there are always times when people think it is no big thing, or it is too much bother, to call the police.

In an emergency, you should call 911, and in a non-emergency you should call the dispatcher at 301-270-1100. Calling from a land-line assures a better chance of reaching the correct 911 center than if you are calling from a cell phone because in border areas, the cell might connect you to an adjacent jurisdiction's center.

— Bruce Williams

Posted by EB at 02:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Takoma Park Police:

At approximately 8:56 PM, police officials were summoned to the report of an attempt armed robbery at 7667 Maple Ave, Takoma Park. According to the first victim, he was approached by a black male in his late 20's to early 30's, 5'08, thin build, wearing a black jacket, black hat, black ski mask and armed with a dark colored hand gun. The suspect displayed the handgun and attempted to rob the victim who successfully fled the area.

The second victim who was entering the building and heard the struggle from the 1st attempt robbery, was confronted by the same suspect who pointed the weapon at him and ordered him to enter the building, this victim also successfully fled the immediate area and contacted the police.

In an unrelated incident, at approximately 9:12pm, police officials were summoned to the report of a strong-arm robbery which occurred in the 7500 block of Carroll Ave, Takoma Park. According to the victim, she was approached from behind by a heavy set black male with thick prescription glasses, wearing dark clothing. The suspect had exited from the passenger side of a light blue older model 4 door vehicle which was being operated by a unknown suspect. The suspect demanded the victims property, obtained her cellular phone and returned to the vehicle which fled northbound Old Carroll Ave to Sligo Creek Parkway.

Investigators do not believe the first incident is related to the 2nd incident.

D/Cpl. Andrew M. John
Takoma Park Police
Police Information Officer

http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/police/index.html

Posted by EB at 09:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Click here for an entertaining media critique by local librarian, tech instructor and blogger Phil Shapiro. 

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