PGPD Searches for Critical Missing Person

Update June 4, 2013: Mr. Blandshaw has been found in good health.

Alfred Blandshaw

The Prince George’s County Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a critical missing person. He is identified as 64-year-old Alfred Jerome Blandshaw of the 3700 block of Diana Road in Suitland. He was last seen walking on Silver Hill Road on May 30, 2013. Blandshaw has been diagnosed with mental health issues and may be in need of medication.

Blandshaw is described as a black male, 5’9”, 225 pound, with gray hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing beige shorts, beige sneakers, white earrings and a beige hat.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Regional Investigation Division - Central Region at (301) 772-4911.

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PGPD Charges Police Officer for Off-Duty Incident

The Prince George’s County Police Department has criminally charged a police officer after a woman accused him of taking photographs of her without her consent.  The police officer, Corporal Christopher Adams, was off-duty at the time of the incident and was not acting in a law enforcement capacity.  He is assigned to the Regional Investigation Division.

The department immediately launched an internal investigation upon becoming aware of the allegations. The investigation reveals Adams took the photographs while at a hotel on March 17, 2013.  The involved woman was an acquaintance.

Adams is charged with three counts of visual surveillance with prurient intent as well as second degree assault.  He is suspended with pay.  Adams is a seven-year veteran of the department.

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

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PGPD Shuts Down Capitol Heights Business

The Prince George's County Police Department issued a violation notice to the tenant and property manager of Seize the Dance studio ordering the business closed on May 29, 2013.  Seize the Dance is located in the 9200 block of Hampton Overlook in Capitol Heights.  The business has been operating without the required use and occupancy permit. 

Seize the Dance is also connected to a triple shooting on May 26, 2013. The three victims had just left the dance studio which had been rented out for a party for high-school aged children.

On May 26, 2013, just after midnight, patrol officers were called to Hampton Park Boulevard and Hampton Overlook Drive for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, patrol officers found three male victims, two adults and one juvenile, suffering from gunshot wounds.  All three victims suffered non-life threatening injuries and have since been released from the hospital.

Seize the Dance will remain closed pending the outcome of an appeals hearing.

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at (301) 772-4710.

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PGPD to Honor Fallen Officer With Memorial Run

The Prince George’s County Police Department will hold a 5K Memorial Run in honor of fallen officer Police Officer First Class Adrian Morris. POFC Morris died in the line of duty in August 2012 in a car crash.

Prince George's County Exec. Rushern Baker and Senator Victor Ramirez will join  members of the PGPD and the community for the run in memory of POFC Morris and to raise money to assist the Morris family.  The event is open to the public.

When:    Saturday, June 1, 2013

Time:      8:00 am  (registration begins at 7:00 am)

Where:   Prince George’s County Police Department – District VI Station

               4321 Sellman Road

               Beltsville MD

Members of the media are welcome to attend. For more information, please call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at (301) 772-4710.

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PGPD Arrests Serial Bank Robber

Stephon Fortune

The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested a suspect wanted in a string of recent bank robberies. He is identified as a 23-year-old Stephon Fortune of the 500 block of 50^th Street in Northeast Washington.

Fortune is charged in connection with the robbery of the M & T Bank in the 3700 block of Donnell Drive in Forestville on April 24, 2013. He also robbed the SunTrust Bank in the 8900 block of Woodyard Road in Clinton on March 20, 2013.

Fortune is currently in custody in Charles County on unrelated charges. He is awaiting extradition to Prince George’s County.

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

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PGPD Wins Statewide Law Enforcement Challenge

For the second year in a row,  the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit has won the prestigious Law Enforcement Challenge (LEC) Award.   Law enforcement partners across Maryland honored the PGPD for our continued commitment to traffic safety enforcement.

The LEC is a program designed to promote competition among law enforcement agencies and recognize those departments which excel in traffic safety enforcement.  The Law Enforcement Challenges focuses on preventing drunk driving, aggressive driving and promoting seat belt use.

Corporal Michael Rose of the Traffic Enforcement Unit was on hand to accept the LEC award in Baltimore on May 29, 2013.  He recently appeared on CNN providing his expertise on the dangers of drinking and driving.

http://tinyurl.com/nrx686q

The Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and Maryland Sheriffs’ Association are co-sponsors of the Law Enforcement Challenge.

For more information, please contact the Prince George's County Police Department's Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

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PGPD Remembers Fallen Military Hero Corporal Robert Hernandez

On Memorial Day, we pause to honor and pay tribute to the sacrifice that so many men and women have made while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  While those across the country take time to remember our fallen heroes this Memorial Day, the Prince George’s County Police Department will be doing the same.

Our very own Corporal Robert Hernandez was killed in 2006 while serving in Iraq. A Staff Sergeant with the US Army, Robert Hernandez was killed in Al Taquaddum, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations.  He is the only member of the PGPD to be killed in combat while serving our nation.

Cpl. Hernandez served the Prince George’s County Police Department for ten years and was assigned to District II prior to his deployment.  He was 47 years old at the time of his death, and is survived by his fiancee and three children.

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PGPD Welcomes New Explosives Detection K-9

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Special Operations Division is proud to introduce its newest member, K-9 Zeva.  Zeva is a retired war veteran who served in Afghanistan with the US Marine Corps.  Zeva’s handler is Cpl. Geoff Brown.

Zeva is a five-year-old black Labrador Retriever.  She is full of energy and has an incredible ability to track and find explosives.  The details of Zeva’s two, six-month tours of duty in Afghanistan are classified, but we do know she likely saved lives.  Zeva is currently in training and will hit the streets this summer.

Zeva joins another recent addition to our department.  In February, the PGPD welcomed Slick, another war veteran and explosives detection K-9.  Slick’s handler is Cpl. Scott Allen.  Slick did sustain injuries while in the war zone.  While conducting an explosives sweep he was attacked by a group of feral dogs.  Several months later, an improvised explosive device went off within three feet of Slick.  Slick fully recovered and completed both tours of duty.   

Please join us in welcoming Zeva and Slick!

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

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PGPD Investigates Non-Fatal Shooting Near Capitol Heights Nightclub

The Prince George's County Police Department is investigating a triple non-fatal shooting in Capitol Heights.  Preliminarily, it appears the victims may have been targeted. 

On May 26, 2013, at approximately 12:15 am, patrol officers were called to Hampton Park Boulevard and Hampton Overlook Drive for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, patrol officers found three male victims, two adults and one juvenile, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. 

The preliminary investigation reveals the victims had just left a birthday party in the 9200 block of Hampton Overlook Drive at the Seize the Dance nightclub.  The victims were walking down Hampton Park Boulevard when someone approached them, fired multiple times and fled.  The victims suffered non-life threatening injuries.  

Anyone with information on this case or the suspect is urged to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Regional Investigation Division – Central Region at 301-772-4910.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to http://www.pgpolice.org and submit a tip online.

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PGPD Arrests Suitland Man for Child Abuse

Updated May 25, 2013:  The victim died from his injuries on May 23, 2013.  He is identified as two-year-old Jamir Khaden Shipe of the 3800 block of Swann Road in Suitland.  The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.  The charges against Clifton Bernard have been amended to first degree murder and related charges.  He remains in the custody of the Department of Corrections on a no bond status.

The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested a Suitland man for abusing a young child in his care.  He is identified as 26-year-old Clifton Edward Bernard of the 3800 block of Swann Road.

Clifton Edward Bernard

On May 22, 2013, at approximately 8:00 am, patrol officers were called to the 3800 block of Swann Road for the report of an unresponsive child.  The two-year-old child was taken to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition.  He is being treated for several injuries including head trauma. 

PGPD detectives interviewed Bernard who admitted to assaulting the child.  Bernard is in a relationship with the child’s biological mother.  Bernard is charged with attempted murder, first and second degree child abuse as well as first and second degree assault.  He is being held at the Department of Corrections on a no bond status.

For more information, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Media Relations Division at 301-772-4710.

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