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Montgomery County, MD

Backyard Flock Quarantined, Depopulated After Bird Flu Detected In Maryland Backyard Flock Quarantined, Depopulated After Bird Flu Detected In Maryland
Backyard Flock Quarantined, Depopulated After Bird Flu Detected In Maryland A highly contagious strain of avian influenza has been detected in a Montgomery County backyard flock, prompting quarantines and immediate depopulation of affected birds, state officials announced. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI), a deadly airborne virus that spreads easily among birds. Maryland Department of Agriculture officials have taken swift action to prevent further spread, ensuring that birds from the infected flock will not enter the food system. Final confirmation from the US Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinar…
Fake Cop Forces Way Into Maryland Home, Demands Money At Gunpoint: Police Fake Cop Forces Way Into Maryland Home, Demands Money At Gunpoint: Police
Fake Cop Forces Way Into Maryland Home, Demands Money At Gunpoint: Police A bold home invasion in Montgomery County took a turn when an armed suspect posing as a police officer forced his way into a Gaithersburg residence and demanded money, authorities said. Montgomery County Police say the break-in happened at approximately 12:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, when a man knocked on the door of a home in the 200 block of Hannes Street. When the homeowner answered, the suspect flashed a badge from inside his jacket and falsely identified himself as a police officer before stepping inside, officials said. Once inside, the suspect pulled out a black handgun and deman…
NY Dad Had 4-Year-Old Daughter In Tow During Trail Of Terror In Maryland, Virginia: Police NY Dad Had 4-Year-Old Daughter In Tow During Trail Of Terror In Maryland, Virginia: Police
NY Dad Had 4-Year-Old Daughter In Tow During Trail Of Terror In Maryland, Virginia: Police A New York man led police on a dangerous crime spree through Maryland and Virginia with his missing 4-year-old daughter in tow, authorities say. Esmeraldo Martinez De La Cruz, 32, is facing attempted murder, home invasion, and child neglect charges after a chaotic string of crimes that began in Montgomery County and ended in Virginia with his arrest. The crime spree began this week at around 4:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, when Montgomery County Police responded to a hit-and-run crash at Route 355 and Watkins Mill Road in Gaithersburg. Witnesses saw Martinez and his 4-year-old daughter, Luna…
Alligators In Maryland? Prank Causes Stir Along Montgomery County Trail Alligators In Maryland? Prank Causes Stir Along Montgomery County Trail
Alligators In Maryland? Prank Causes Stir Along Montgomery County Trail Some prankster tried to stir up a situation in Montgomery County this week, but Maryland Park Police officials were quick to squash the tall tale. A sign warning: "DANGER DO NOT DISTURB THE ALLIGATORS" was found along the Sligo Creek Trail in Takoma Park, but it was quickly debunked by officials, who swiftly removed it. "Our alligators are not dead or sleeping," the sign states. "This time of year, alligators enter 'brumation,' the reptile version of hibernation. They may remain immobile for days, their metabolism slowed to the bare minimum. "But don't be fooled! They are easily startled, …
Floor Collapses During Fast-Moving Fire At Maryland Townhouse Floor Collapses During Fast-Moving Fire At Maryland Townhouse
Floor Collapses During Fast-Moving Fire At Maryland Townhouse Residents of a Montgomery County townhouse got a scare on Sunday morning when they woke up to the sound of smoke alarms going off in Wheaton, fire officials said. Crews were called at around 2:45 a.m. on Jan. 26 to a home on Lester Street, where they were met by frigid temperatures, smoke billowing from the building, flames showing, and a partial structure collapse. Twitter/@mcfrsPIO Firefighters were quickly able to get the flames knocked down, but not before an electric meter was damaged, leaving several families without power and forcing a temporary evacuation of some residents. …
Teen Burglar Leads High-Speed I-495 Pursuit-Crash: Cops Teen Burglar Leads High-Speed I-495 Pursuit-Crash: Cops
Teen Burglar Leads High-Speed I-495 Pursuit-Crash: Cops An 18-year-old burglary suspect is in custody after leading Montgomery County police on a high-speed chase through Gaithersburg before crashing into a parked car, authorities say. Officers responded to a report of a commercial burglary on the 8000 block of Cessna Ave. around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, where they spotted a black Cadillac CT5 leaving the scene.  When police attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver - later identified as 18-year-old Michael Evan Cutler - took off, prompting a pursuit that continued down I-27 and onto I-495. The chase ended when the Cadillac …
Stalker Sexually Assaults Victim In Maryland, Police Say Stalker Sexually Assaults Victim In Maryland, Police Say
Stalker Sexually Assaults Victim In Maryland, Police Say A Maryland man is behind bars after allegedly stalking and sexually assaulting a woman in Montgomery County, and police are concerned there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward. Rockville resident Marvin Alexander De Leon Siguenza, 36, was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 16, following an investigation by the Montgomery County Department of Police into several incidents, authorities announced.  Authorities say he approached his victim multiple times before the assault, sparking concerns that his behavior may not have been an isolated incident. The investigation began after…
Driver Who Mowed Down Multiple People Near Maryland Courthouse Charged With Attempted Murder Driver Who Mowed Down Multiple People Near Maryland Courthouse Charged With Attempted Murder
Driver Who Mowed Down Multiple People Near Maryland Courthouse Charged With Attempted Murder More than a month after a driver allegedly intentionally struck at least three people outside a Montgomery County courthouse, authorities announced that a man has been arrested. Walter Giovanni Marquez-Aviles, 44, is facing multiple charges after investigators determined that he intentionally rammed his vehicle into his victims. The Gaithersburg resident was involved in the crash at around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, near the 100 block of East Montgomery Avenue. Police said that he crashed his dark-colored SUV and fled the area, two of whom - a 79-year-old woman and 18-year-…
Gold Bar Scam 'To Keep Russia Away:' NY Teen Admits Bilking Elderly MD Woman Out Of Thousands Gold Bar Scam 'To Keep Russia Away:' NY Teen Admits Bilking Elderly MD Woman Out Of Thousands
Gold Bar Scam 'To Keep Russia Away:' NY Teen Admits Bilking Elderly MD Woman Out Of Thousands A 19-year-old New York resident implicated in a government-imposter-related scam is facing a harsh sentence above expected guidelines after admitting to targeting an elderly Maryland woman who sought to keep Russia away from her money, authorities announced on Tuesday. Brooklyn resident Zhenyong Weng was arrested last year after preying on an 82-year-old Silver Spring woman by reaching out to her and instructing her to transfer her assets into gold bars to keep Russian hands off. The woman complied, police say, and handed off several packages worth an estimated $900,000 in gold ba…
Rapper's Body Found In BMW Linked To Double Homicide In Maryland, Police Say Rapper's Body Found In BMW Linked To Double Homicide In Maryland, Police Say
Rapper's Body Found In BMW Linked To Double Homicide In Maryland, Police Say A 25-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the deadly shootings of two Montgomery County residents after one was found dead in the back of a BMW, authorities said. Kaloyan Dimov Stoev, 25, has been arrested and charged in connection to the fatal shootings of Rockville residents Marcell Jordan Hebron - also known as "Lil Xelly" -  and 27-year-old Leilani Marroquin on Friday, Jan. 17, Montgomery County police said. An officer from Montgomery County Police spotted a white BMW sitting at the intersection of Shady Grove Road and Research Boulevard around 3:15 a.m. Fr…
DUI Driver Strikes Police Car In Maryland: Cops DUI Driver Strikes Police Car In Maryland: Cops
DUI Driver Strikes Police Car In Maryland: Cops A drunk driver’s dangerous decision ended with a police cruiser smashed and a night behind bars after a collision in Montgomery County, authorities say. The crash happened shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, when a black Acura barreled into a marked Montgomery County Police cruiser on I-270 near I-370. An officer had parked the vehicle with its emergency lights activated, blocking lanes to protect state police investigators at the scene of a prior crash, according to officials. The aftermath of the crash in Montgomery County. Montgomery County Department of Police The imp…
Maryland FBI Agent Tricked Aspiring Models, Raped Them At Tattoo Parlor: Indictment Maryland FBI Agent Tricked Aspiring Models, Raped Them At Tattoo Parlor: Indictment
Maryland FBI Agent Tricked Aspiring Models, Raped Them At Tattoo Parlor: Indictment The FBI special agent from Montgomery County accused of sexually assaulting multiple women has been indicted on a host of charges, authorities announced. Eduardo Valdivia, 40, also known as "Lalo Brown," was arrested late last year following an investigation into reports of rape and other offenses at the Gaithersburg tattoo studio he owns, according to the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office. Valdivia owns DC Fine Line Tattoos on the 9800 block of Washingtonian Boulevard, where the alleged assaults occurred. Initially, two women came forward reporting sexual abuse, leading to Valdi…
Man Kicked Out Of Nightclub Convicted Of Parking Garage Murder In Maryland (VIDEO) Man Kicked Out Of Nightclub Convicted Of Parking Garage Murder In Maryland (VIDEO)
Man Kicked Out Of Nightclub Convicted Of Parking Garage Murder In Maryland (Video) The shooter who opened fire into a group of people and killed a man after getting kicked out of a nightclub in Montgomery County has been convicted, authorities announced. Ramone Christopher Ramsay, who has no known address, was found guilty of murder and other charges by a jury in connection to the murder of 21-year-old Baltimore resident Kymani Elijah Bailey in July 2023. Kymani Elijah Bailey Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office At approximately 2:40 a.m. on July 8, 2023, officers were called to the Montgomery County Public Parking Garage 3 in the 900 block of Silver Sprin…
Police Identify Suspect, Victim Gunned Down During Altercation In Maryland Home Police Identify Suspect, Victim Gunned Down During Altercation In Maryland Home
Police Identify Suspect, Victim Gunned Down During Altercation In Maryland Home Police investigators in Montgomery County have identified both the victim and suspect in a fatal shooting that left a Sykesville man dead in Kensington. Benjamin Jack Dresbach, 21, of Kensington, has been charged with second-degree murder following the death of 29-year-old Trevor Dean Van Devander, authorities announced on Tuesday. The incident occurred at around 5:40 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, when 2nd District officers responded to the 3900 block of Franklin Street for a reported shooting.  Upon arrival, officers found Van Devander suffering from gunshot wounds and he was pronounced d…
MD Firefighter Killed In Line Of Duty Battling Blaze 'Dedicated Life To Protecting Others' MD Firefighter Killed In Line Of Duty Battling Blaze 'Dedicated Life To Protecting Others'
MD Firefighter Killed In Line Of Duty Battling Blaze 'Dedicated Life To Protecting Others' The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is mourning the tragic loss of Master Firefighter Christopher J. Higgins, who died in the line of duty over the weekend while responding to a house ire in Prince George's County. Higgins, a 23-year veteran of the MCFRS, was operating Truck 715 out of Burtonsville when he suffered a medical emergency while throwing ladders at a structure fire on Bradford Drive.  Despite immediate medical attention on the scene and a swift transport to White Oak Medical Center, Higgins, 46, passed away from his injuries, officials said. Body of fa…
Nearly 2M Montgomery, Prince George's County Residents Urged To 'Conserve Water:' WSSC Nearly 2M Montgomery, Prince George's County Residents Urged To 'Conserve Water:' WSSC
Nearly 2M Montgomery, Prince George's County Residents Urged To 'Conserve Water:' Wssc A series of water main breaks is causing chaos for some in the region, forcing WSSC Water to encourage customers to limit their water use while crews make repairs. "WSSC Water continues to urge all 1.9 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties to only use water for essential purposes effective immediately," the company posted online. "At this time, water is safe and there is no need to boil before essential use."  The urgent essential-water-use-only request is being issued due to a significant increase in the number of water main breaks and leaks brought on by the fr…
Rehab Over Reunion: RHOP Star Karen Huger's Team Address Absence That Has Fans Fuming Rehab Over Reunion: RHOP Star Karen Huger's Team Address Absence That Has Fans Fuming
Rehab Over Reunion: Rhop Star Karen Huger's Team Address Absence That Has Fans Fuming When the "Real Housewives of Potomac" get together for the Season 9 reunion, there will be one notable absence.  On Thursday, Jan. 9, Bravo posted a photo on Instagram of the seating chart for the reunion - though there were only six spots set — absent of Karen Huger, who was convicted for a DUI crash in Maryland last year. In an exclusive statement shared to Bravo's "Daily Dish," Huger's manager Ryan Tresdale said: "Karen made the important decision to enter a private recovery program, so was unable to attend the reunion taping today. She was fully supported in this choice. We stand …
Teen Behind 129-Page Manifesto Detailing School Shooting Plans In Maryland Convicted Teen Behind 129-Page Manifesto Detailing School Shooting Plans In Maryland Convicted
Teen Behind 129-Page Manifesto Detailing School Shooting Plans In Maryland Convicted A 19-year-old high school student who had plans to commit a school shooting in Montgomery County was convicted of making threats of mass violence, authorities announced on Wednesday. Rockville resident Alex (Andrea) Ye was arrested last year following an investigation after the FBI notified Montgomery County Public Schools about a 129-page "manifesto" authored by the teen. His arrest came after  a concerned associate contacted 911, when the two were communicating on Instagram when Ye sent the manifesto, which referenced a potential attack on both a high school and an elementary sc…
Machete-Wielding Man Terrorizes Maryland Shopping Center: Police Machete-Wielding Man Terrorizes Maryland Shopping Center: Police
Machete-Wielding Man Terrorizes Maryland Shopping Center: Police A 24-year-old Maryland man is behind bars after allegedly terrorizing shoppers with a machete outside of a Montgomery County shopping center on . Maikol Darinson Vicente Gomez, 24, is accused of attempting to assault three strangers at random at near Westech Business Park at Broadbirch Drive and Tech Road on Sunday, Jan. 5, around 5:45 p.m., police said. When Montgomery County officers arrived, Vicente Gomez allegedly fled through the shopping center parking lot, wildly slashing parked cars with the machete, police say, prompting a foot chase that came to a quick end when he fell and droppe…
Man Convicted In Three Indecent Exposure Trials In Maryland: Prosecutors Man Convicted In Three Indecent Exposure Trials In Maryland: Prosecutors
Man Convicted In Three Indecent Exposure Trials In Maryland: Prosecutors A Maryland man will spend years behind bars after being found guilty of three separate indecent exposure incidents in Montgomery County, authorities announced. Steven Randolph, 34, was sentenced following three bench trials that were held on Thursday, Jan. 2 to more than four years in prison after exposing himself to employees at area businesses. According to the Montgomery County Department of Police, early on Thursday, Oct. 31 last year, the Rockville resident walked into Olney Ledo's Pizza in the 3400 block of Olney Laytonsville Road while employees were prepping the restaurant for the d…
Convicted Sex Trafficker On The Run After Tampering With Ankle Monitor In Maryland: Police Convicted Sex Trafficker On The Run After Tampering With Ankle Monitor In Maryland: Police
Convicted Sex Trafficker On The Run After Tampering With Ankle Monitor In Maryland: Police Recognize him? Montgomery County detectives are calling on the community to help find a convicted sex trafficker who disappeared after tampering with his ankle monitor. Ernest Gerald Wilkerson who was convicted in February of two counts of sex trafficking and two prostitution-related charges, vanished a month later in March. Police say his ankle monitor was tampered with on March 7, just weeks after his conviction. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest five days later, but Wilkerson remains at large. Authorities are now renewing their efforts to locate Wilkerson and are offering a rew…
Hours-Long Standoff With Officer In Distress Ends Safely In Maryland, Police Say Hours-Long Standoff With Officer In Distress Ends Safely In Maryland, Police Say
Hours-Long Standoff With Officer In Distress Ends Safely In Maryland, Police Say An hours-long crisis involving a Montgomery County police officer temporarily shut down a major road in Bethesda, drawing a coordinated response from multiple agencies that ended safely, officials say. The incident began Sunday, Dec. 29, when the officer’s supervisor noticed unusual behavior during their shift and raised concerns about their welfare, according to the Montgomery County Department of Police. Law enforcement located the officer in their patrol car near Falls Road and Potomac Tennis Lane and worked over the next 15 hours to peacefully resolve the situation. Several MCPD units,…
'Shining Light' Killed Exiting Car At MD Food Store Left 'Lasting Impact On All Who Knew Her' 'Shining Light' Killed Exiting Car At MD Food Store Left 'Lasting Impact On All Who Knew Her'
'Shining Light' Killed Exiting Car At MD Food Store Left 'Lasting Impact On All Who Knew Her' Tragedy struck twice in four months for a family that is grappling with another heartbreaking loss after a 37-year-old woman was killed getting out of a car in the parking lot of a Montgomery County food store. Burtonsville resident Michelle Gogan, 37, was getting out of the passenger side of her parked car at Giant on Old Columbia Pike last week when she was hit by a 2023 silver Mazda CX5 around 11:30 a.m., on Thursday, Dec. 26, according to Montgomery County Police. The driver of the Mazda, who was attempting to enter an adjacent parking stall, struck Gogan, her vehicle, and another parke…
Christmas Miracle: Maryland Mom Scores $50K Scratch-Off Win During Family Snack Run Christmas Miracle: Maryland Mom Scores $50K Scratch-Off Win During Family Snack Run
Christmas Miracle: Maryland Mom Scores $50K Scratch-Off Win During Family Snack Run What started as a Christmas Day snack run in Wheaton and ended with $50,000 for a Montgomery County mom who had never played the Lottery before. Lilian Hernandez of Silver Spring, a mother of two, scratched her way to a life-altering windfall thanks to a $5 Deluxe Crossword 9th Edition ticket she bought on a whim.  The inspiration?  Her aunt, Norma Hernandez, a seasoned Lottery enthusiast who convinced her to give it a try. "We thought it would be a fun thing to do."  The family outing to the Safeway at on Georgia Avenue turned into an unforgettable moment.  “I’ve ne…
Man Dies After Police Encounter In Montgomery County, Officers Identified By Maryland AG Man Dies After Police Encounter In Montgomery County, Officers Identified By Maryland AG
Man Dies After Police Encounter In Montgomery County, Officers Identified By Maryland AG The Maryland Office of the Attorney General has identified a man who died following an in-custody police incident in Montgomery County and the officers involved in the case. Marvin Salamanca Garcia, 35, of Gaithersburg, was pronounced dead on Thursday, Dec. 26, after an incident involving Gaithersburg Police Department officers two days earlier, according to the AG's Independent Investigations Division (IID). Officers responded around 10:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24 to a report of a disturbance in the 300 block of N. Summit Avenue, officials said, noting that Salamanca Garcia was found lying…
Maryland Man Charged With Arson After Vehicle Torched In Parking Garage: Fire Officials Maryland Man Charged With Arson After Vehicle Torched In Parking Garage: Fire Officials
Maryland Man Charged With Arson After Vehicle Torched In Parking Garage: Fire Officials More than a month after a vehicle was torched in Montgomery County, authorities announced that a suspect has been taken into custody. Edward Kamara, 27, has been arrested following an investigation into an incident reported late on Tuesday, Nov. 19 in the 9700 block of Key West Avenue that caused upwards of $40,000 in damage to a vehicle parked in an area garage. Kamara was arrested at his home in Lanham, according to a Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson said, where he was charged with:  Second-degree arson; First-degree malicious burning; Malicious destruction. He is rep…
One Taken To Burn Center After Kitchen Fire Tears Through Maryland Home One Taken To Burn Center After Kitchen Fire Tears Through Maryland Home
One Taken To Burn Center After Kitchen Fire Tears Through Maryland Home One person was taken to the burn center when an overnight fire broke out in a Montgomery County home. Shortly before midnight on Friday, first responders were called to the 10000 block of Maple Leaf Drive near Apple Ridge Road in Montgomery Village, where there was a reported fire that broke out in an area home. Fire investigators say that they believe the fire began in the kitchen on the first floor of the residence, possibly from a light fixture, but the cause has not been determined. Twitter/@mcfrsPIO Officials noted that there were "excessive storage" conditions inside the home.…
Woman Killed While Exiting Car In Maryland Parking Lot Identified By Police Woman Killed While Exiting Car In Maryland Parking Lot Identified By Police
Woman Killed While Exiting Car In Maryland Parking Lot Identified By Police Tragedy struck a Maryland family the day after Christmas when a 37-year-old woman was killed getting out of a car in a Giant parking lot in Montgomery County. Burtonsville resident Michelle Gogan, 37, was getting out of the passenger side of her parked car at the food store on Old Columbia Pike when she was hit by a 2023 silver Mazda CX5 around 11:30 a.m., on Thursday, Dec. 26, according to Montgomery County Police. The driver of the Mazda, who was attempting to enter an adjacent parking stall, struck Gogan, her vehicle, and another parked car in the 15000 block of Old Columbia Pike, police…
Man Dies At Hospital After Police-Involved Incident In Maryland: AG (DEVELOPING) Man Dies At Hospital After Police-Involved Incident In Maryland: AG (DEVELOPING)
Man Dies At Hospital After Police-Involved Incident In Maryland: AG (Developing) A blood-soaked man died after a police-involved confrontation on Christmas Eve in Montgomery County, prompting an investigation by Maryland’s Independent Investigations Division (IID). Officers from the Gaithersburg Police Department responded around 10:15 p.m. on Dec. 24 to a disturbance on the 300 block of North Summit Avenue, authorities said, and when they arrived, they found a man lying on the ground, covered in blood, conscious, and acting erratically. According to the IID, the man stood up and walked away before officers restrained him on the ground while awaiting fire and rescue per…
'Mega Millions' Jackpot Hits $1.15B; Four Smaller Wins Reported In Maryland For Latest Drawing 'Mega Millions' Jackpot Hits $1.15B; Four Smaller Wins Reported In Maryland For Latest Drawing
'Mega Millions' Jackpot Hits $1.15B; Four Smaller Wins Reported In Maryland For Latest Drawing A life-changing Lottery jackpot continues to roll - to the tune of $1.5 billion - but some Maryland residents are still feeling lucky after winning five-figure prizes in the latest Mega Millions drawing. There were no jackpot winners for the Christmas Eve drawing on Tuesday, Dec. 24, though there were three $10,000 third-tier winners sold in Maryland, as well as a $30,000 winning ticket in Dundalk. The winning numbers for the drawing were: 11-14-38-45-46 with a Mega Ball of 03 and a 3X Megaplier prize multiplier. Other $10,000 winning tickets were sold in Bethesda, Glen Burnie, and Lexingt…
Caught On Camera: Suspects Swapping Cards In Maryland ATM Scam At Large, Police Say Caught On Camera: Suspects Swapping Cards In Maryland ATM Scam At Large, Police Say
Caught On Camera: Suspects Swapping Cards In Maryland ATM Scam At Large, Police Say Detectives in Montgomery County are seeking public assistance in identifying two suspects accused of scamming victims at an ATM in Silver Spring earlier this year.  The scam was reported at the Bank of America on Connecticut Avenue in early October, prompting investigators to release surveillance photos of their suspects as they attempt to identify and locate the pair.  On Wednesday, Oct. 2, police say the first victim was approached by two men who claimed the ATM card slot was broken and advised using the tap function.  One suspect grabbed the victim’s card under the guise …