Arrest Made for 1st Degree Assault, Three Counts of 2nd Degree Assault; Other Charges - News Release

NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
● 7500 Maple Avenue ● Takoma Park, Md 20912

For more information contact:
Public Information Officer (PIO)
Catherine Plevy, 301/891.7142 or 240/338.2901

November 26, 2012 (1:27 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Alan M. Goldberg of the Takoma Park Police Department announces the arrest of Jairo B. Francia, 31, of Silver Spring, Maryland, for 1st degree assault, three counts of 2nd degree assault, destruction of property, disturbing the peace, failure to obey a lawful order and resisting arrest.
On November 23, at approximately 11:23 p.m., Takoma Park Police responded to the 8600 block of Flower Avenue (Tropicana Restaurant) for a fight in progress. Upon arrival, officers were pointed in the direction of the outside rear of the business. Once on scene, Francia was observed wielding a shovel at two security guards. Francia was ordered by a Takoma Park Police Officer to drop his weapon. Francia threw the shovel at the Takoma Park Police Officer, striking him in his foot, and then fled on foot running towards Sligo Creek Parkway. A foot chase ensued which led officers down Sligo Creek Parkway for several hundred yards where the suspect disappeared in the woods behind Roanoke Avenue. Sligo Creek Parkway was shut down and a perimeter was established. Assistance was requested of the Montgomery County Police Department and the Maryland-National Capital Park Police. A Montgomery County K-9 was deployed and tracked Francia through the woods to Roanoke Avenue where the track ended. Francia was then located at Carroll Avenue and Long Branch Parkway, however, he quickly ran back into the woods. Another K-9 track was conducted which led officers to the rear of the 8100 block of Carroll Avenue. Officers then located Francia inside the 7-11 located at 900 Merrimac Drive, Takoma Park, Maryland. Francia refused lawful orders and was eventually physically taken into custody and arrested.
Investigation revealed that while in the Tropicana Restaurant, Francia was asked to leave due to his being drunk and disorderly. As he was exiting the business, Francia smashed the front glass door with his fist. Once outside, he struck one of the guards in the face. The guard deployed his taser, striking Francia in his upper torso, which did not take effect. Francia ran to a parked vehicle in front of the business and began yelling death threats before fleeing on foot down Flower Avenue.
On Flower Avenue, Francia encountered a female victim in front of her home and vandalized her vehicle. When she asked him not to touch her vehicle, Francia replied with threats of shooting her. Francia then ran back towards the Tropicana Restaurant and engaged the guard in another physical altercation. This is when Francia ran to the rear of the business and picked up the shovel and police arrived.
Francia was arrested and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit without incident.
**A photograph of Francia is not available at this time **