Arrest Made for Armed Robbery; Other Offenses - 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


January 6, 2012 (10:30 a.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chief Ronald A. Ricucci from the Takoma Park Police Department announces the arrest of Leonard Thomas, Sr., 54, of Hyattsville, Maryland, for armed robbery, robbery, and 1st and 2nd degree assault.

On January 5, 2012, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Takoma Park Police responded to the 6300 block of New Hampshire Avenue (Sunoco) for the report of an armed robbery that had just occurred. Investigation reveals that at 11:17 a.m., Thomas entered the business. He was followed by two other suspects, one of who brandished a black, semi-automatic handgun. The suspects demanded property. The victim did not immediately comply and the suspects assaulted him. The suspects were able to take property and then fled the Sunoco on foot heading northbound on New Hampshire Avenue towards Sligo Mill Road. Witnesses pulling into the station were able to see the suspects fleeing and give police their direction of travel. A lookout for the suspects was broadcast. Detectives responded to the scene and were able to locate video surveillance of the robbery. Another Takoma Park Police Officer was canvassing the area when he was approached by a witness who saw the suspects running on Orchard Avenue. Detectives put out an updated lookout after viewing the video surveillance, which gave officers a distinctive piece of clothing that one of the suspects was wearing at the time of the robbery. Montgomery County K9 Units also responded to the area to attempt a track. While in the area of the 6300 block of Eastern Avenue, a Takoma Park Police Officer spotted one of the suspects who matched the description given sitting at a bus stop in the District of Columbia. The officer exited his cruiser and ordered Thomas to the ground. A Metropolitan Police Officer arrived on the scene and took custody of the suspect. A Takoma Park Police Detective arrived and made a positive identification of Thomas from the video surveillance that was obtained.

Thomas was arrested and transported to the Metropolitan Police Department’s 4th District where he was processed and held as a fugitive from justice. An arrest warrant will be obtained to bring Thomas back to Takoma Park, Maryland, for the charges listed above.

The victim who was assaulted was taken to the Washington Adventist Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The other two suspects are still outstanding. Investigation is on-going.