Prince George’s News

NAS Patuxent River Mourns Loss of Firefighter Brice C. Trossbach

NAS Patuxent River Mourns Loss of Firefighter Brice C. Trossbach

It is with profound sadness that NAS Patuxent River announces the tragic loss of one of our brave firefighters, Brice C. Trossbach, 25, who died in the line of duty while responding to an emergency on June 27, 2023. Trossbach made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to a mutual aid call of a structure...
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Statements Released After NAS Patuxent River Firefighter is Killed in Leonardtown House Fire

Statements Released After NAS Patuxent River Firefighter is Killed in Leonardtown House Fire

St. Mary’s County Commissioners, & The St. Mary’s County Emergency Services: At 5:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 27, 2023, St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services announced a partial activation of the Emergency Operation Center in response to the report of a serious house fire in the 20000 block of Deer Wood Park Drive in...
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UPDATE: Firefighter Succumbs to Injuries After Falling Through Floor at House Fire in Leonardtown

UPDATE: Firefighter Succumbs to Injuries After Falling Through Floor at House Fire in Leonardtown

UPDATE 7/6/2023: Prayer services and viewing be watched here. Funeral services can be watched here. UPDATE 7/4/2023: Brice Clayton Trossbach obituary can be read here. Brice has been a part of the Leonardtown Fire Department family since he was in diapers, crawling around the firehouse when his father, Warren Trossbach, would bring him to...
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Prince George’s County Police Illegal Street Racing Initiative

Prince George’s County Police Illegal Street Racing Initiative

On Friday, June 23, 2023, the Prince George’s County Police Department kicked off a new initiative to address illegal pop-up car events that have been occurring in the county. These events have attracted participants from all over the region as well as surrounding states. Participants block roadways, take over parking lots and drive recklessly...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources Announces Revised Hunting License Price Structure

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Announces Revised Hunting License Price Structure

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that legislation passed during the 2023 General Assembly will increase the price of hunting licenses and some associated stamps beginning with the 2023-24 hunting season. The existing structure and fees had been in place since 2002, and the price of a regular resident hunting license had remained unchanged for 35 years....
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Hospice of the Chesapeake Announces Dr. Marny Fetzer as New Chief Medical Officer

Hospice of the Chesapeake Announces Dr. Marny Fetzer as New Chief Medical Officer

Hospice of the Chesapeake announced today that Dr. Marny Fetzer has been appointed as Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Chief Medical Officer and will join the executive leadership team in July 2023. Fetzer is currently the System Medical Director for Palliative Care and Hospice Services at Ascension Health in Mount Prospect, Illinois, and has been...
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Four Teens Arrested for Attempted Carjacking; Two Loaded Guns and Stolen Kia Recovered

Four Teens Arrested for Attempted Carjacking; Two Loaded Guns and Stolen Kia Recovered

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Carjacking Interdiction Unit charged four juveniles in connection with an attempted carjacking on Wednesday night. The suspects include a 16-year-old male, two 15-year-old males and a 14-year-old male. The four suspects are from Washington, DC. The 16-year-old suspect is charged as an adult in this case. On June...
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7 Members of Multi-State Violent Robbery Crew Indicted on Conspiracy and Hobbs Act Robbery Charges

7 Members of Multi-State Violent Robbery Crew Indicted on Conspiracy and Hobbs Act Robbery Charges

An indictment was unsealed charging seven members of an armed robbery crew with conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, and other charges related to a multi-state robbery spree that targeted pharmacy and cell phone retail stores. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Sarah Linden, of...
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Chesapeake Bay’s Dead Zone Predicted to be 33% Smaller Than Long-Term Average

Chesapeake Bay’s Dead Zone Predicted to be 33% Smaller Than Long-Term Average

Written By: Jake Solyst, Chesapeake Bay Program: This summer’s Chesapeake Bay “dead zone” is expected to be significantly smaller than the long-term average, according to a forecast released today by researchers from the University of Michigan, Chesapeake Bay Program, University of Maryland and U.S. Geological Survey. During spring and summer, nutrient pollution spurs the...
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MDA Announces Cover Crop Sign-up Period to Open Wednesday, June 21, 2023

MDA Announces Cover Crop Sign-up Period to Open Wednesday, June 21, 2023

The annual sign-up period for the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Cover Crop Program will take place from June 21 through July 17 at soil conservation district offices statewide. This popular grant program provides farmers with cost-share assistance to offset seed, labor, and equipment costs to plant fall cover crops to protect local water quality,...
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Police Investigating Fatal Hit and Run Collision Involving Pedestrian in Wheelchair

Police Investigating Fatal Hit and Run Collision Involving Pedestrian in Wheelchair

The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run that occurred Saturday morning. Investigators are working to notify the victim’s family before his identity is released. On June 17, 2023, at approximately 3:20 am, officers responded to the area of University Boulevard and Riggs Road in the unincorporated section of Hyattsville...
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Maryland Has Three New Millionaires, One Ticket Remains Unclaimed

Maryland Has Three New Millionaires, One Ticket Remains Unclaimed

The Maryland Lottery generated three new millionaires last week, and one of them still hasn’t claimed their prize yet. Two of the big wins were on scratch-off tickets sold in Parkville and Severn that were claimed last week at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. But the third ticket, sold near Bel Air in Fountain Green,...
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Deputy State Fire Marshal Helys Valles Recipient Of Investigator of The Year Award

Deputy State Fire Marshal Helys Valles Recipient Of Investigator of The Year Award

Deputy State Fire Marshal Helys Valles is the recipient of the 2022 “James C. Robertson, Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year” award. “Deputy Valles exemplifies the overall desire and commitment our investigators embrace to ensure the safety of Maryland’s citizens,” stated State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci. The award was presented to her...
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Two Teens Arrested for Fatally Shooting 18-Year-Old During Carjacking at Elementary School Parking Lot

Two Teens Arrested for Fatally Shooting 18-Year-Old During Carjacking at Elementary School Parking Lot

Homicide Unit detectives identified and charged two suspects for a fatal shooting that occurred in May in Forestville. The suspects are 18-year-old Lavelle Harris of Washington, DC, and a 17-year-old male from District Heights. They are charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Kendall Batson of District Heights. On May 11, 2023,...
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Maryland DNR – Native Plant Profile: The Latest for Lawn Lovers

Maryland DNR – Native Plant Profile: The Latest for Lawn Lovers

Perhaps one of the most common criticisms of the movement to fill our properties with native trees and gardens is that people miss lawns! There is something pleasing about the vista of a green lawn, or the smell of mowed grass in the summertime… Still, the benefits of replacing your lawn with more beneficial plantings cannot be denied....
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Washington D.C. Man Arrested for Sexual Assault While Impersonating ICE Agent

Washington D.C. Man Arrested for Sexual Assault While Impersonating ICE Agent

Prince George’s County Police Department Sexual Assault Unit detectives identified and charged a man for impersonating a federal law enforcement agent and sexually assaulting a woman in Oxon Hill. The suspect is 26-year-old Victor Antonio Reed of Washington, DC. On June 13, 2023, at approximately 8:15 p.m., detectives were notified of a sexual assault...
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20-Year-Old Arrested for Impersonating Firefighter, Stealing Members Gear and Burglarizing Firehouse in Charles County

20-Year-Old Arrested for Impersonating Firefighter, Stealing Members Gear and Burglarizing Firehouse in Charles County

On May 12, 2023, police responded to Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department located at 3245 Old Washington Road in Waldorf, for the reported theft. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with witness Chief S. Duffer, and Sgt. Smith from the Prince George’s County Police Department. Chief Duffer stated that the suspect, Loxavier Maurice Jones, age 20...
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District Physician’s Assistant Arraigned on Two Counts of Second Degree Sexual Abuse of a Patient or Client

District Physician’s Assistant Arraigned on Two Counts of Second Degree Sexual Abuse of a Patient or Client

Haileleoul Erbello (Desta), 47, of Laurel, Maryland, was arraigned on six counts of second degree sexual abuse of a patient or client arising from events that occurred in August of 2019 and April of 2021, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Interim Chief Ashan Benedict of the Metropolitan Police Department. On May 17, 2023,...
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VIDEO RELEASED: Two Firefighters Injured After Tractor Trailer Strikes Multiple Emergency Vehicles in Prince George’s County

VIDEO RELEASED: Two Firefighters Injured After Tractor Trailer Strikes Multiple Emergency Vehicles in Prince George’s County

UPDATE 7/17/2023: Dash cam video from the June 15, 2023, Capital Beltway incident where PGFD Paramedic Ambulance 821, and multiple other vehicles, were struck by a tractor trailer that plowed through an accident scene. Thankfully, the two PGFD firefighters only suffered minor injuries and were treated and released from the hospital. The end result...
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PGPD Gang Unit Investigation Leads to Large Seizure of Firearms and Illegal Drugs

PGPD Gang Unit Investigation Leads to Large Seizure of Firearms and Illegal Drugs

The Strategic Investigations Division-Gang Unit recently launched an extensive, months-long investigation into the trafficking of firearms and narcotics. This involved suspected “GMF Crew” members. During its investigation, the Gang Unit identified a home from where the criminal enterprise operated. After developing probable cause, the Gang Unit executed a court ordered search and seizure warrant...
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Brother and Sister Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy Involving Fentanyl Sales and Death of 20-Year-Old Woman

Brother and Sister Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy Involving Fentanyl Sales and Death of 20-Year-Old Woman

Larry Jerome Eastman, 23, of Temple Hills, Maryland, and his sister, Justice Michelle Eastman, 26, of Washington, D.C., were sentenced for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The pair pleaded guilty February 8, 2023, in U.S. District Court. Larry Eastman was sentenced to 140 months in prison and 36 months...
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Two Displaced After House Fire in Waldorf, Fire Deemed Accidental Due to Overloaded Power Strip

Two Displaced After House Fire in Waldorf, Fire Deemed Accidental Due to Overloaded Power Strip

UPDATE: Owner/Occupants identified as William & Carol McCowan, with the estimated loss of structure and contents valued at $150,000.00 Investigating determined the fire was accidental, and caused by an overloaded power strip which started on the covered rear porch. The fire was discovered by an occupant and all escaped with no injuries. Firefighters arrived...
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Upper Marlboro Middle School Teacher Charged With Solicitation of a Minor

Upper Marlboro Middle School Teacher Charged With Solicitation of a Minor

A teacher at James Madison Middle School in Upper Marlboro is charged with solicitation of a minor. The suspect is 33-year-old Jose Zuniga Orellana of Accokeek. He’s charged with soliciting inappropriate photos from a female student at the school. On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the victim advised detectives the suspect recently made inappropriate comments...
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Undercover Officer Shoots at Armed Carjacking Suspect, Police Recover Loaded Firearm and Two Stolen Kia’s

Undercover Officer Shoots at Armed Carjacking Suspect, Police Recover Loaded Firearm and Two Stolen Kia’s

The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a non-contact officer-involved shooting overnight in Temple Hills. No one was struck during the incident. Two suspects are in custody. A loaded handgun was recovered. The suspects are 24-year-old Charles Edward Owens of Washington, DC, and a 16-year-old male from Washington, DC. The juvenile is charged...
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Father Arrested for Stabbing and Killing His Son in Suitland

Father Arrested for Stabbing and Killing His Son in Suitland

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit charged a man with the murder of his son. The suspect is 44-year-old Marcus Braxton, Sr, of Washington, DC. He’s charged with the fatal stabbing of 22-year-old Melodias Scindian of Suitland. On June 10, 2023, at approximately 8:30 am, officers responded to a home in the...
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