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Lifestyle
These DMV Cities Are Among Safest In US: New Ranking These DMV Cities Are Among Safest In US: New Ranking
These DMV Cities Are Among Safest In US: New Ranking Some neighborhoods in the DMV region rank among the safest in the United States, according to a newly released report from WalletHub.  Two from Virginia were in the top 10 in the new ranking, with the state boasting five overall, joining two from Maryland and the District of Columbia as the safest cities in America in 2024.  In making their rankings, WalletHub evaluated a variety of "threats to safety," including the possibility of natural disasters, mass shootings, traffic accidents, and other dangers.  “When people think about safety in a city, their minds probably immedia…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Nurse With Suspended License In VA Charged With Fraud, Theft From Assisted Living Facility Nurse With Suspended License In VA Charged With Fraud, Theft From Assisted Living Facility
Nurse With Suspended License In VA Charged With Fraud, Theft From Assisted Living Facility A multi-agency investigation into the theft of medication from a Maryland assisted living facility led to dozens of charges for a 45-year-old Prince George's County woman whose license had been suspended in the DMV, according to investigators in St. Mary's. Temple Hills resident Stephanie Marie Murphy was arrested in connection to reported thefts at the Charlotte Hall Veterans home months after a probe was launched by local, county, and state police. Investigators say that it was determined that Murphy had misrepresented her identity while using an online platform designed to assist wi…

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by Zak Failla
News
Former Soldier Out For Blood Admits To 1994 Murder Of Young Mother In Virginia: Prosecutors Former Soldier Out For Blood Admits To 1994 Murder Of Young Mother In Virginia: Prosecutors
Former Soldier Out For Blood Admits To 1994 Murder Of Young Mother In Virginia: Prosecutors Three decades after a young mother was found brutally murdered in Fairfax County, a former Army soldier stationed in Arlington admitted to the crime. Stephan Smerk, 52, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of Robin Lawrence in November 1994, prosecutors announced on Friday afternoon. “Our cold case detectives exhibit unparalleled dedication when it comes to closing a case with many unknowns,” Fairfax County Chief of Police Kevin Davis previously said.  “This case is but one example of how our department’s police work goes above and beyond, and it exemplifies ou…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Ill-Fated Prisoner Escape Results In Fresh Charges For Fugitive Wanted In PWC: Police Ill-Fated Prisoner Escape Results In Fresh Charges For Fugitive Wanted In PWC: Police
Ill-Fated Prisoner Escape Results In Fresh Charges For Fugitive Wanted In PWC: Police The Dumfries man who escaped custody after causing chaos during National Night Out in Stafford County was captured again after his felony flight was foiled. Robert Ouzts, 22, was arrested early this week for recklessly riding a motorcycle and then attempting to avoid his arrest, though his attempts were fruitless and he was apprehended and taken to the Rappahannock Regional Jail. His antics were just beginning. At approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3, two days after his initial arrest, members of the Stafford County Sheriff's Office were alerted to Ouzts' unexpected escape while b…

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by Zak Failla
News
Serial Sexual Predator From Virginia Targeting Sleeping Women Arrested 16 Years Later: Feds Serial Sexual Predator From Virginia Targeting Sleeping Women Arrested 16 Years Later: Feds
Serial Sexual Predator From Virginia Targeting Sleeping Women Arrested 16 Years Later: Feds A serial sexual predator from Arlington who preyed on women for years more than a decade ago. has been arrested, federal authorities announced on Wednesday. DNA evidence doomed Ernesto Mercado, 54, who has been charged in connection to at least five sexual offenses that were reported in the Georgetown area of DC between 2008 and 2012. "As yesterday's arrest demonstrates, advancements in technology and collaboration among law enforcement partners can lead to breakthroughs in cases that have previously gone unsolved,” acting FBI Special Agent in Charge David Geist said. According to court do…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Motorcyclist Wanted In PWC Picks Wrong Place, Time To Ride Recklessly, Sheriff Says Motorcyclist Wanted In PWC Picks Wrong Place, Time To Ride Recklessly, Sheriff Says
Motorcyclist Wanted In PWC Picks Wrong Place, Time To Ride Recklessly, Sheriff Says A reckless motorcyclist already wanted in Prince William County chose the wrong place and wrong time to recklessly drive a motorcycle straight into the hands of deputies in Stafford. Robert Ouzts, 22, chose to work against police, not with them during the annual National Night Out event on Tuesday afternoon, landing him a spot behind bars after attempting to avoid his arrest on a host of charges. According to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office, at around 3:45 p.m. on Oct. 1, deputies were conducting traffic control as the celebration was set to begin in Stafford Market Place when a motorc…

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by Zak Failla
News
Florida Man Charged In Double Domestic-Related Murder Involving Virginia Man: Sheriff Florida Man Charged In Double Domestic-Related Murder Involving Virginia Man: Sheriff
Florida Man Charged In Double Domestic-Related Murder Involving Virginia Man: Sheriff The man responsible for the double murder of a mother of four and the father of one of her children during a domestic dispute has been apprehended in Florida, authorities in Frederick County announced. David Phillip Turner, 33, a Miami resident, was arrested over the weekend following the investigation into the August murder of Crimea Malita Baker and Arlington resident Sean Antoine Lange in New Market. He was identified by officials as Baker's ex-husband and the father of three children. Posted by Frederick County Sheriff's Office, MD - Integrity Driven • Community Built on Monday, Sep…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Hyattsville Shooter Accused Of Killing District Resident Arrested In Maryland: Police Hyattsville Shooter Accused Of Killing District Resident Arrested In Maryland: Police
Hyattsville Shooter Accused Of Killing District Resident Arrested In Maryland: Police An 18-year-old suspect from Maryland linked to the the fatal shooting of a 26-year old District man has been apprehended, authorities announced on Monday night. Hyattsville resident Dartrell Bryant was identified by the Prince George's County Police Department's Homicide Unit and charged in connection to the fatal shooting of Jawaun Jackson in September. Officers were called at around 8:45 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, to investigate reports of shots fired, and upon arrival, they found Jackson in a Hyattsville roadway. According to a spokesperson from the Prince George's County Police Depart…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Animal Sex Abuse Material Found After VA Man Claims Sextortion, Authorities Say Animal Sex Abuse Material Found After VA Man Claims Sextortion, Authorities Say
Animal Sex Abuse Material Found After VA Man Claims Sextortion, Authorities Say A Virginia man is facing charges after being busted with unsavory imagery that included children and animals, police say. Scott Ryan Matthews, 31, of Mechanicsville, who originally reported being a victim of sextortion, was arrested this week for possession of child porn and sexual abuse materials related to animals. According to the Hanover County Sheriff's Office, Matthews' initial claim came on Tuesday, Sept. 24, and the investigation led to the uncovering of the illicit items. Matthews was taken to the Pamunkey Regional Jail, at which point he was charged on a warrant with 10 coun…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Police Probing Repeated Threats Of Violence Targeting Virginia Schools (UPDATED) Police Probing Repeated Threats Of Violence Targeting Virginia Schools (UPDATED)
Police Probing Repeated Threats Of Violence Targeting Virginia Schools (Updated) Police in Virginia are cautioning about a recent rash of hoax threats that have been made targeting Alexandria City Public Schools on social media. An alert was issued by the Alexandria Police Department cautioning about recent posts that were made online involving a fire alarm being pulled, followed by a planned shooting; though no specific school was mentioned. According to the agency, they have been investigating and assessing the threats in collaboration with the Northern Virginia Regional Intelligence Center, which is a Fusion Center of the US Department of Homeland Security. Official…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Police ID DC Man Found With Fatal Gunshot Wounds Along Maryland Roadway Police ID DC Man Found With Fatal Gunshot Wounds Along Maryland Roadway
Police ID DC Man Found With Fatal Gunshot Wounds Along Maryland Roadway A 26-year-old District man was pronounced dead after being found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds across state lines in Prince George's County, police say. Officers were called at around 8:45 p.m. on Thursday night to investigate reports of shots fired, and upon arrival, they found DC resident Jawaun Jackson in a Hyattsville roadway. According to a spokesperson from the Prince George's County Police Department, they responded to the 2900 block of 52nd Avenue, where they found Jackson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators now say t…

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by Zak Failla
News
Man Wanted For Child Sex Abuse In Maryland Busted Boarding Flight At Dulles Airport In VA: CBP Man Wanted For Child Sex Abuse In Maryland Busted Boarding Flight At Dulles Airport In VA: CBP
Man Wanted For Child Sex Abuse In Maryland Busted Boarding Flight At Dulles Airport In VA: CBP A Maryland man was close to making his great escape, but the suspect wanted in connection to child sexual abuse claim was stopped before he could board an international flight at Dulles Airpot this week, officials say. Milton Ovidio Martinez Hernandez was arrested this week by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers as the Honduran native - wanted in Maryland for felony child sex abuse charges - attempted to get on a flight to Panama. According to investigators, Martinez Hernandez, who was wanted in Montgomery County for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor and child fond…

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by Zak Failla