http://www.thedmvdaily.com/, http://www.ByTheDMV.com/

The DMV Daily, Annapolis, MD (2024)

09/01/2024

Fairfax County is closing its largest homeless encampment, “the Hill,” by September 10. The county posted “No Trespassing” signs and plans to fence off the area.

This follows the opening of a nearby temporary shelter, which has housed 29 former encampment residents.

The closure is part of a broader plan to replace the encampment with a new homeless shelter and permanent housing as part of the Reston Town Center North redevelopment.

The county is working with nonprofits to transition residents to safer conditions while planning long-term housing solutions.

09/01/2024

A D.C. man, Daeyon Ross, pleaded guilty to a 2023 crime spree in which he killed a man and two dogs.

On July 2, Ross carjacked a Honda at gunpoint in Capitol Heights, crashed it, and attempted another carjacking at a drive-thru, killing driver Kurt Modeste. Ross then carjacked a Toyota, shooting and killing two dogs inside.

After fleeing, he was involved in a crash and a police shooting but was captured.

Ross faces up to 21 years in federal prison under his plea deal and remains in custody, with additional local charges pending.

09/01/2024

History was made during the Chicago Sky’s Sunday game against the Minnesota Lynx as rookie forward Angel Reese set a new single-season rebounding record.

Reese entered the game with 399 rebounds, just five short of Sylvia Fowles’ 2018 record of 404.

She surpassed the mark in the second quarter.

09/01/2024

Noise complaints led to the arrest of 77-year-old Charles Peters in Arlington on Friday for charges related to explosive materials, according to the Arlington County Fire Department’s Office of the Fire Marshal.

Peters was arrested after a search warrant was executed at his home on the 5700 block of Washington Blvd. He faces five counts of manufacturing, possessing, or using firebombs or explosive devices.

Fire marshals collected evidence from Peters’ property following a series of loud noises along the Custis Trail and Bluemont that prompted the investigation. Peters was identified as a person of interest during the 10-day inquiry.

Peters is currently being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

Neighbors have expressed concern over the potential risks, citing the presence of families and children in the area.

The Office of the Fire Marshal has confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public.

09/01/2024

The Leesburg Police Department has arrested Loudoun County Judge Charles F. Koehler Jr. for public intoxication.

Around 1:30 a.m. on Friday, officers responded to reports of an individual walking along the Leesburg Bypass near South King Street.

Upon arrival, they made contact with Judge Koehler, who was reportedly intoxicated at the time.

Following the arrest, Koehler was taken into custody and later released on his own recognizance.

The incident has raised concerns, as Koehler is a sitting judge with significant responsibilities in the community.

The case remains under review, and no further details have been released at this time.

09/01/2024

More than 62,000 D.C. residents will have their medical debt erased, thanks to a $42 million investment from the D.C. Government, led by Mayor Muriel Bowser.

This initiative, recommended by the nonprofit Tzedek DC, is the first large-scale state-level effort to purchase and cancel medical debt.

Over 80% of the beneficiaries are from predominantly Black or minority communities.

Residents will receive notification from Undue Medical Debt, a national nonprofit specializing in bulk debt cancellation.

Tzedek DC will offer support to answer questions about the relief and its impact on credit reports.

Ariel Levinson-Waldman, Tzedek DC’s Founding Director, praised the move as a significant step toward addressing health equity, noting that Black residents face medical debt at a rate three times higher than White residents.

Letters from Undue Medical Debt will start arriving on August 30th.

09/01/2024

Officers are investigating the theft of a woman’s dog at gunpoint in Prince George’s County.

Around 7:05 a.m. on Saturday, two juveniles stole her small Javanese dog outside her apartment on Avondale Overlook Drive.

The dog has light brown and white fur on its chest and paws.

A $5,000 reward is offered for information on “Yana.” Anyone with details should contact the police.

Check our Twitter / X for video of incident.

09/01/2024

Today’s Motivation 🙏🏾

09/01/2024

The Fairfax County Police Department has released surveillance photos of two suspects believed to be involved in multiple burglaries in D.C. and Virginia.

Authorities are currently investigating two burglaries in McLean and are asking for the public’s help.

On August 27, at 2:04 a.m., officers responded to a burglary report in the 7500 block of Leesburg Pike in McLean. Police say two suspects broke into a business and stole a safe containing cash.

While canvassing the area, officers discovered the same suspects had also broken into a second business on the same block, stealing more cash.

The suspects are described as two slim males wearing black hooded sweatshirts, gloves, and black pants. They fled the scene in a black BMW SUV. Detectives have linked these suspects to several other burglaries in D.C.

09/01/2024

One man was killed, and four others were injured in a two-vehicle collision in Prince George’s County.

Officers responded to the crash at the intersection of Beech Rd and Branch Avenue around 9:45 a.m. on Saturday.

Four occupants were transported to the hospital, where one of the drivers, an adult male, was pronounced dead shortly after.

The investigation is ongoing.

09/01/2024

District 4 Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) Commander David Smith reported several incidents in Wheaton from Friday night, including arrests for fentanyl distribution, handgun possession, and theft.

According to on Twitter/X:

- Veirs Mill Road @ Randolph Road: Two individuals were arrested for fentanyl distribution following a community complaint.

- Wheaton Mall @ 11160 Veirs Mill Road: Two arrests were made for theft and handgun possession; the weapon was a privately manufactured firearm. Target Loss Prevention assisted in the arrests.

- Best Buy @ 10901 Georgia Avenue: Two people were arrested for theft and fraud.

An alert Best Buy Loss Prevention officer and an off-duty MCPD officer recovered 65 stolen AirPod Max headphones, along with numerous counterfeit headphones.

08/31/2024

The NTSB found that the truck driver involved in the December 2022 crash on Interstate 64 near Williamsburg, which killed three people, was fatigued due to the trucking company’s creation of fake driver accounts, allowing drivers to exceed federal hours-of-service regulations.

The truck, traveling at 65-70 mph with cruise control engaged, collided with a slow-moving party bus going 20-25 mph, leading to a severe crash that resulted in the bus’s roof and sidewalls detaching.

Three bus occupants, aged 19 to 25, died, and several others, including the truck driver, were injured.

The NTSB also noted the bus’s slow speed contributed to the crash’s severity. While no criminal charges were filed, the NTSB issued recommendations, including strengthening electronic logging device regulations, improving fatigue management, and mandating forward collision avoidance systems and onboard video recorders in commercial vehicles.

08/31/2024

A vehicle crashed into a telephone pole in Northeast D.C., injuring four people, including a child in critical condition.

The crash occurred near Eastern Avenue and Tuckerman Street around noon.

An adult male and a child were hospitalized in critical condition, while an adult female and another child sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The scene is still active, and drivers may experience delays. The investigation is ongoing.

08/31/2024

Hot off the release of his latest album “Atavista,” which includes new tracks like “Little Foot Big Foot,” literally lit up the stage at Capital One Arena on Thursday, 29th August 2024, in Washington, D.C.

This Grammy-winning artist performed hits like “This Is America,” “Redbone,” “3005, and “Me & Your Mama” delivering an unforgettable performance to a sold-out audience. With energy that could be felt all the way to The White House, this was a must-see concert.

The night was captured by . 🫶🏾

08/31/2024

A young girl was tragically killed after being struck by a car on Staples Mill Road in Henrico County late Thursday night, as severe weather moved through Central Virginia.

The incident occurred around 10:45 p.m. when the toddler wandered from her nearby home into the eastbound lanes of the road.

The driver, who remained at the scene, is cooperating with police, and neither speed nor alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash.

Henrico Police are investigating both the accident and the circumstances under which the child left her home, where she was reportedly under the care of a babysitter.

Due to the sensitive nature of the case, further details will be released when appropriate.

Assistant Chief Lauren Edwards expressed the department’s deep sorrow, noting the difficulty of processing a child’s death in such a tragic incident. The investigation is ongoing as the community grapples with the loss.

Staples Mill Road was closed during the investigation, and police are asking anyone with information to contact them.

08/31/2024

Four title companies in Washington, D.C., have been penalized over $3 million for an illegal kickback scheme, according to the Office of the Attorney General.

Allied Title & Escrow, KVS Title, Modern Settlements, and Union Settlements face a combined $3.29 million in fines.

The companies offered real estate agents lucrative investment opportunities in exchange for client referrals, violating laws meant to protect homebuyers.

The scheme, which included yacht parties as rewards for referrals, limited homebuyers’ ability to shop around for the best price.

The penalties will see Allied paying $1.9 million, KVS $1 million, Union $325,000, and Modern $65,000. At least $2 million of the settlement will go to affected homeowners.

The companies have agreed to stop offering such incentives and will either divest real estate agents from their ownership interests or cease operations in D.C. KVS Title, while denying any wrongdoing, decided to settle to avoid prolonged litigation.

08/31/2024

Former Metropolitan Police Department sergeant Enis Jevric, 42, was sentenced to five years in prison for the fatal shooting of An’Twan Gilmore, 27, in 2021.

On August 25, 2021, Jevric and other officers responded to a report of a man sleeping in his car.

Upon waking Gilmore, Jevric fired his weapon multiple times as the car moved, hitting Gilmore three times and causing his death.

Jevric was found guilty of using excessive force and involuntary manslaughter.

In addition to his prison term, he was sentenced to five years of probation.

08/31/2024

The music world is mourning the sudden loss of Grammy-winning DJ, hype man, and radio personality Fatman Scoop, real name Isaac Freeman III, who passed away at the age of 53. The beloved artist collapsed on stage during a performance at Town Center Park in Hamden, Connecticut, on Friday. Despite immediate efforts to save him, he tragically passed away, as confirmed by his family on Saturday morning.

In their heartfelt statement, Freeman’s family described him as “a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.” They highlighted not only his extraordinary talent as a world-class performer but also his deep connections as a father, brother, uncle, and friend.

08/31/2024

Montgomery County has partnered with Instacart to launch the MC Groceries initiative, a pioneering program aimed at addressing food insecurity and childhood hunger.

The program provides nearly 600 local families, representing over 1,000 children, with monthly stipends to shop for groceries online via Instacart. Each child receives $100 per month, up to $400 per household, for a year.

MC Groceries allows families to purchase a variety of food items from local retailers on Instacart, including fresh produce, meat, dairy, and pantry staples. The initiative also includes a custom Virtual Storefront to promote healthy choices.

The program specifically targets families in the “SNAP Gap”—those who earn too much to qualify for federal nutrition benefits but still struggle to afford basic necessities.

In less than a month, participants have placed over 700 orders, delivering more than 12,000 nutritious items to families in need.

The initiative is part of the County’s broader efforts to combat childhood hunger, particularly in underserved areas like Wheaton, Aspen Hill, and Glenmont.

08/31/2024

A 12-year-old thief targeted several car dealerships on Rockville Pike, breaking into a Jaguar dealership to steal a car key and some candy bars, and smashing a bay door at an Audi dealership to take ice cream.

Despite multiple arrests, Maryland’s juvenile justice laws, which offer little accountability for crimes committed by those under 13, have led to his repeated release.

Over the past two weeks, police believe the child has been involved in over a dozen break-ins.

Frustrated dealership managers and law enforcement officials, including Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, are calling for tougher juvenile justice reforms.

08/31/2024

A would-be robber was shot and killed by a restaurant employee in Capitol Heights on Thursday evening.

Prince George’s County Police responded to the Oriental Express restaurant on Marlboro Pike at around 4:40 p.m. and found the man with a gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man reportedly attempted to rob the restaurant and was shot by an employee after a confrontation. Authorities do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the community.

Due to language barriers with witnesses, police enlisted a Mandarin-speaking investigator.

The incident remains under investigation.

08/30/2024

Governor Wes Moore announced up to $20 million in grants for two education programs: Saga Education and ASSISTments. These grants, funded through the Maryland Partnership for Proven Programs, mark the initiative’s first awards since its launch with Arnold Ventures in February.

Saga Education will provide tutoring in Baltimore City, while ASSISTments will be available in Baltimore and Charles Counties. Arnold Ventures will match $10 million from the Maryland State Department of Education, supporting these programs over four years. Both programs are recognized for their significant improvements in student math achievement.

08/30/2024

Labor Day Weekend Sale at IAD Auto! Choose your vehicle now at www.iadauto.com. Don’t miss out!

Checkout Both Locations On Brightseat Road in Landover & Baltimore Ave in Beltsville

08/30/2024

A D.C. police officer, Wayne David, was fatally shot in Northeast D.C. on Wednesday after a suspect’s discarded gun accidentally fired while he was retrieving it from a storm drain. The incident occurred around 5:40 p.m. in the Kenilworth neighborhood. David, a 25-year veteran of the force, was struck in the upper body and later died at the hospital.

The suspect, who had fled the scene, was last seen with long dreads, wearing a white shirt and light blue shorts. David was a member of the Violent Crime Suppression Division and had recovered hundreds of guns during his career. He leaves behind a son and daughter.

Police Chief Pamela Smith and Mayor Muriel Bowser honored him as a hero, emphasizing the tragic impact of gun violence on the community. The ATF is assisting with the ongoing investigation. In David’s memory, the D.C. Council has ordered the flag at the John A. Wilson Building to fly at half-staff.

08/30/2024

A Virginia father gave his son a $1 million lottery ticket as a wedding gift, making it an unforgettable present. Aaron and Kiana Andrews, who married in April, had planned to move in with Aaron’s father in Triangle, Virginia, to save money.

However, after Aaron’s father, a frequent lottery player, bought a winning Virginia Lottery Cash4Life® ticket, he decided to give it to the newlyweds. The ticket offered a choice between $1,000 a week for life or a one-time cash option of $1 million. After consulting with a financial advisor, Aaron chose the $1 million cash option.

Aaron expressed his gratitude, calling his father “a great father who has done nothing but look out for me.” The couple plans to use the money to help Aaron’s grandmother, start college funds for their future children, and eventually buy a house. Aaron’s father jokingly remarked that this was the best way to get his son out of the basement.

08/30/2024

Today's Motivation 🙏🏾

08/29/2024

Two people are dead, and a woman is critically injured after two related shootings in Rockville and Laurel between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The incidents, which occurred within twelve hours of each other, have police in Montgomery and Prince George’s County working together to investigate.

The first shooting happened Wednesday night on Westmeath Drive in Laurel, where a woman was critically injured. The next morning, Montgomery County Police found a 60-year-old man shot in Rockville. They also located a Toyota Tacoma linked to the Laurel shooting, with a 54-year-old man inside who had apparently shot himself. Both men later died in the hospital.

Authorities confirmed the shootings are connected, though it’s unclear if the woman knew either man. Police are continuing their investigation and urge anyone with information to contact them at 301-279-8000

08/29/2024

The Bowie Police Department is testing AI-powered stop sign cameras for a month-long pilot project, which began Monday. These cameras, installed on Kenhill Drive and Belair Drive, collect data on drivers running stop signs, but no tickets or warnings will be issued during the trial.

Reactions on social media are mixed, with some drivers frustrated by more traffic cameras, while local residents, like Madeleine Koblin, welcome the added safety. The technology, developed by California-based Obvio, aims to reduce traffic violations and pedestrian deaths, though it currently only collects anonymized data.

Future ticketing would require community input and council approval.

08/29/2024

Former Prince George’s County council member Mel Franklin pleaded guilty to felony theft and perjury on Monday. He admitted to misusing over $130,000 in campaign funds to cover personal expenses, including rent, international trips, cosmetic procedures, and more.

Franklin abruptly resigned in June, just days before being indicted. As part of the plea deal, he faces a recommended year of incarceration and must pay restitution, which will be donated to charity. Sentencing is scheduled for November.