Three D.C. Teens Arrested for Attempted Murder of Montgomery County Police Officer

Jessica Woods

BETHESDA, MD – The crimes are the same, but the criminals are getting younger and more brazen across America. This week, that violence struck Bethesda as a police officer was shot at by a truck occupied by teenagers wanted for an earlier burglary.

“Three 16-year-old males are in custody following a string of residential burglaries and the attempted homicide of a Montgomery County Police officer that occurred in the area of Wisconsin Avenue and I-495,” police said today. “As the result of a recent residential burglary trend, the Montgomery County Police – 2nd District Investigative Section was conducting follow-up investigations when they obtained footage from a June 21, 2022, burglary that occurred in the 5300 block of Brookeway Drive. The surveillance footage indicated four unknown suspects entered the residence and stole a GMC Yukon SUV, which was subsequently recovered in the area the next day.”

According to police reports on Thursday, at around 1:20 a.m., officers from the Montgomery County 2nd District Special Assignment Team responded to the 6000 block of Johnson Avenue for the report of an attempted burglary in progress.

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“Officers from the 2nd District – Special Assignment Team observed a BMW SUV, matching a previous burglary suspect vehicle from June 21, 2022, leaving the area and initiated surveillance. During surveillance, the suspect vehicle came to an abrupt stop causing an officer to swerve to avoid hitting the suspect vehicle. At that time, the officer heard three gunshots,” police said. “The vehicle then passed the officer, firing one last shot. The officer’s vehicle sustained damage from the gunshots. The suspects continued to flee, and a pursuit was initiated at that time.”


According to police, the suspects then lost control of the vehicle in the area of Wisconsin Avenue and I-495. Two suspects were immediately taken into custody following the collision.


A search by Montgomery County Police K9 and the Prince George’s County Police helicopter, “Guardian,” helped to locate the third suspect, who was taken into custody.

Maynor Josue Bonilla-Flores, 16; Jason Benitez-Umanzor, 16; and Brad Roca, 16, all of Washington, DC were arrested and charged.

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