ROCKVILLE, MD—An armed robbery was reported at a 7-Eleven store located in the 1700 block of Rockville Pike on Monday. The Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division is actively investigating the incident and has released surveillance video and photos in hopes of identifying the two male suspects involved.
The robbery took place around 1:26 p.m., prompting immediate response from Rockville City Police. Two suspects demanded money from a store employee, with one implying possession of a handgun tucked in his waistband. After the employee complied by opening the cash registers, the first suspect extracted an undisclosed amount of money, while the second suspect pilfered various merchandise.
Authorities have provided descriptions of the individuals from the surveillance footage. The first suspect is a Black male, about 25 years old, with an average build, standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall. He was seen wearing dark clothing and white/red sneakers. The second suspect is also a Black male, around 35 years old, with a heavy-set build, similarly standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall, dressed in black clothing including a black Nike hat, and wearing a white COVID-style mask.
The Montgomery County Police are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
- Millersville Police Stop Ends with Arrest for Illegal Gun
MILLERSVILLE, MD — A routine traffic stop on I-97 near Route 32 resulted in a significant arrest on the evening of June 13, 2024. Omar Garcia Gonzelez, a 40-year-old male from Ingleside, Texas, was taken into custody after police discovered a loaded 9mm handgun in his vehicle.
The incident occurred around 7:55 PM when a local officer stopped a green Ford pickup truck for a traffic violation. During the stop, the officer found the loaded weapon inside the passenger compartment of the truck. Further checks revealed that Gonzelez was driving without a valid license.
Gonzelez has been arrested and is facing charges related to the weapons violation. The circumstances surrounding the possession of the handgun and the traffic stop are under further investigation. Authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward as the investigation continues.
- Linthicum Gas Station Robbed at Gunpoint
LINTHICUM, MD — Early this morning, at approximately 3:50 AM, an armed robbery occurred at the Shell gas station located at 724 Nursery Road in Linthicum. The Prince George’s County Police responded to the scene following the incident.
According to police reports, a male suspect entered the gas station, brandished a handgun, and demanded money from the cash register. During the robbery, a female suspect served as a lookout outside the establishment. After the employee handed over the money, both suspects fled the scene on foot.
The male suspect is described as a black male, aged 40-50, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. The female suspect is described as a black female, aged 30-35, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. Despite a prompt search of the area, responding officers were unable to locate either suspect.
The Regional Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation and is requesting anyone with information related to the robbery to come forward. Witnesses or those with relevant information can contact the police at 410-222-4730 or use the Tip Line at 410-222-4700.
- Attempted Robbery Ends in Murder in Upper Marlboro
UPPER MARLBORO, MD — The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating the death of a man early this morning in the unincorporated area of Upper Marlboro following an attempted armed robbery.
According to the police, the incident occurred on June 14, 2024, at approximately 12:50 AM. Officers were initially called to a gas station on the 9200 block of Crain Highway where they encountered a man who reported being the target of an attempted armed robbery outside a residence on the 9500 block of Tiberias Drive. During the confrontation, the man claimed to have struck one of the suspects with his vehicle. The suspect was found deceased at the scene.
The identity of the deceased has not been released pending family notification, and the circumstances surrounding the incident are still being thoroughly investigated. Detectives are urging anyone with information related to this case to contact the Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512 to assist with the ongoing investigation.
- Maryland Officials Mourn the Loss of Beloved NRP K-9 Badger
On June 6, the Maryland Natural Resources Police bid farewell to K9 Badger, a distinguished member of their team known for his spirited "Honey Badger" personality. Partnered with Sgt. April Sharpeta, K9 Badger served the force with distinction since joining in 2013, specializing in human remains detection (HRD) after discovering his true calling during training.
During his nine years of certified service, K9 Badger's contributions extended across Maryland and into neighboring Delaware, West Virginia, and Washington DC. He played a critical role in numerous investigations involving missing persons, homicides, suicides, and natural disasters, often working under challenging conditions on land, water, and through various debris.
K9 Badger was not only a skilled search dog but also a beloved figure in community outreach, frequently engaging with children and demonstrating his skills at public events. His career was marked by his unwavering readiness to serve, assisting not just the Natural Resources Police but also local, state, and federal agencies.
Tragically, in December of 2021, K9 Badger was diagnosed with an inoperable adrenal tumor. His passing leaves a void within the Maryland Natural Resources Police, particularly for Sgt. Sharpeta, who had previously lost another canine partner, K9 Bear. K9 Badger's legacy of service and dedication will be deeply missed by his handler, his family, and his colleagues at the NRP K9 team.
The agency expresses its deep gratitude for K9 Badger's years of service and mourns his loss alongside Sgt. Sharpeta and all who knew him.
- Illinois iLottery Player Claims Historic $552 Million Mega Millions Jackpot
CHICAGO, June 10, 2024 — An Illinois iLottery player has come forward to claim a record-breaking $552 million Mega Millions jackpot, marking the largest jackpot ever won through iLottery in U.S. history.
The winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous and goes by the nickname "MEGA Millionaire," was in "shock and disbelief" upon discovering their win. "I was scrolling through my emails when I saw one from the Illinois Lottery saying to check my numbers because I won a prize," MEGA Millionaire shared. "In the past, I’ve won $2 here or $5 there, so I assumed it would be similar."
The winning ticket matched all five numbers and the Mega Ball in the June 4, 2024, drawing: 19-37-40-63-69 and Mega Ball 17. "You can’t imagine my shock and disbelief when I saw that I had won the jackpot amount of $552 million. I actually quit the app and then signed back in to double check and make sure it was real. It was real alright - but it still feels unreal!"
MEGA Millionaire, who was raised by a single mother who worked two jobs to provide for their family, expressed gratitude and reflected on their hard-working background. "The day after I graduated from high school, I started working and I haven’t stopped since. I’ve spent my life as a laborer and once I was making a decent living, I asked my mom to retire and let me take care of her."
The winner has not yet informed their mother of the windfall but anticipates a very emotional moment when the news is shared. "When that time comes, we’re all going to be shedding some happy tears."
This historic win is the ninth-largest Mega Millions jackpot in the game's history and the second-largest prize ever won in Illinois. The largest lottery prize in Illinois was a $1.337 billion Mega Millions jackpot won in July 2022 with a ticket bought at a gas station in Des Plaines.
- New Jersey Porch Pirate Wearing Amazon Uniform Caught Thanks to Home Surveillance Footage
NEWARK, NJ — Jerome Singleton, a 46-year-old Newark resident, has been charged with four counts of theft following a series of package thefts from residential porches. The incidents, which occurred on June 5th, 2024, led to multiple reports from affected homeowners.
Detective Jake O’Brien spearheaded the investigation after homeowners provided video evidence captured by Ring video doorbells. These videos distinctly showed Singleton wearing an Amazon delivery vest while removing packages from front porches. Additional footage from a resident captured a suspect vehicle fleeing one of the theft scenes, which further solidified the case against Singleton.
Utilizing images from Monroe Township’s Flock Safety cameras, Detective O’Brien was able to match the suspect vehicle seen in the surveillance footage, confirming Singleton’s involvement in the thefts. This crucial evidence also aided Old Bridge Township Police in connecting Singleton to similar package thefts in their jurisdiction.
Singleton’s arrest highlights the growing issue of "porch piracy" and the importance of community and technological tools in aiding police efforts to combat this type of crime.