Another school vandalism in Takoma Park

Last week, Takoma Park Middle School was vandalized. Yesterday, Takoma Park police say, a custodian at Takoma Park Elementary School called to report their school had been damaged over the night. A window had been broken, just like at Takoma Park MS, and a screen on another window had been torn off. Police did not say whether they believe the two incidents are connected, however.

If you have any information regarding this vandalism, Takoma Park police ask that you call them at 301-270-1100. Refer to case number 220027746 when calling.

Takoma Park police phone number cloned by phone scammers

The City of Takoma Park police department is alerting residents that a phone scammer has cloned one of its phone numbers for use in a Medicaid scam. A resident received a call from the cloned number, which appeared on Caller ID to be coming from the police agency. Instead, it was an alleged phone scammer posing as a Medicaid employee. 

The alleged scammer demanded the resident give their Social Security number over the phone. Takoma Park police want residents to know that it, and other City offices, do not contact residents by phone to demand personal information or money. If you receive such a call from a scammer, they ask you to report it to the Takoma Park Police Department at 301-270-1100. 

Police seek man in attempted sex assault of 16-year-old girl in Briggs Chaney area (Photo)

Montgomery County Police have released a composite sketch of the suspect in an attempted sexual assault Wednesday, in the Briggs Chaney area of Silver Spring. Around 3:00 PM May 4, police responded to a report of the attack in the 14000 block of Castle Boulevard. The suspect entered the victim's apartment building by asking her to hold the door for him.

Once inside, the suspect tried to engage the 16-year-old female victim in conversation, which she dodged by pretending to be on the phone. He followed her up the stairs before grabbing her phone, exposing himself, and then attempting to pull down her pants.

When the victim screamed for help, her brother came out of their apartment and the suspect fled to a blue compact or midsize 4-door vehicle, and drove away.

The suspect is described as a black male in his early 30s, approximately 5’09” to 5’10” tall, and weighing approximately 200 pounds. He has short hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing a teal or dark blue sweatshirt, blue jeans, and black boots (see suspect composite above).

Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to contact the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 240-773-TIPS (8477) or Text-A-Tip to: CRIMES (274637), text MCPD and your crime tip.  Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for this crime.

TAKOMA PARK TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETING ON CROSS-BORDER CRIME FEB. 25

Crime activity that spans the border the City of Takoma Park shares with Montgomery and Prince George's counties, and the District, will be the subject of a special Town Hall meeting February 25, in the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium, starting at 7:00 PM.

Topics include better information sharing and cooperation among these policing jurisdictions, and crime prevention ideas.