gaithersblog.net

• Sebastian Montes writes, Tower could be in airpark’s future:
  

  Montgomery County Airpark managers may build a control tower in hopes of easing flight restrictions imposed by a federal security zone around Washington, D.C.

• Janel Davis writes, Airpark has been running a deficit for two years:
  

  The Montgomery County Revenue Authority, which operates the county airpark, has a fight on its hands as it fends off community criticism of changes to the Gaithersburg airport and tries to justify the benefit of the airport, which has operated at a deficit for the past two years.

• Chris Robinson writes, Humane Society looks toward future with a larger campus:
  

  The national Humane Society headquarters in north Gaithersburg could eventually make way for two 6- to 12-story office and residential buildings, according to a new long-range development plan.

• Kevin J. Shay writes, Jumbo mortgages are getting costlier:
  

  Rising interest rates for jumbo home mortgages — those for loans greater than $417,000 — have Ed Shaw worried.

Mariana Minaya writes in today’s Washington Post:

The Gaithersburg City Council unanimously approved a home ownership assistance program Monday night that would provide loans for people displaced by residential redevelopment.

The interest-free loans could be repaid when the home is sold or refinanced. Residents making 80 percent or less of the area median income — $75,600 for a family of four — could receive up to $20,000 in federal funds if they buy a home in Gaithersburg or $15,000 if they purchase outside the city. Those who make more could receive up to $15,000 to buy a home in the city or $10,000 if they purchase elsewhere.

But Thomas Cowley of Action in Montgomery, a religious-based group that worked with the Broadstone tenants to secure the displacement funds, said the grants are not enough for low-income residents. The organization had lobbied for up to $40,000 in aid per household and for a portion of the loan to be forgivable.

The assistance program nearly fell apart in June when Mayor Sidney A. Katz threatened to veto the city budget because the plan’s details were unclear. The council then voted to provide $300,000 to the program. On Monday, the council allotted an additional $100,000 in federal funds.

I just noticed in the current legal notices on the City’s website the announcement of a public hearing on an application for a sketch plan amendment on the property owned by the Humane Society of the United States up at the end of Professional Drive. The application calls for six-to-twelve story office and residential buildings on ten acres of land: This property is nestled right in the corner of the proposed Casey East development, labeled property 5 in this photo from the Casey East project (Casey East is property 7 in the photo).

At this time there are no background materials that I can find on the City’s website.

Notice - Joint Public Hearing Z-306, 9/4/2007
Posted 8/17/2007

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877

Telephone: 301-258-6330

NOTICE OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Gaithersburg Mayor and Council and Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing at the time and place noted below.

Meeting: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Application Type: SKETCH PLAN AMENDMENT
File Number: Z-306
Location: 700 Professional Drive
Applicant: HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES

Zoning: MXD (MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT)
Day/ Date/Time: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, AT 7:30 P.M.
Place: GAITHERSBURG CITY HALL

IMPORTANT

The application requests an amendment to an existing sketch plan, for approximately 10.49 acres of property on the HSUS property. The site is located east of I-270, south of Professional Drive and north of future Watkins Mill Road extended. The application proposes up to 300,000 sq. ft. of office development in structures between 6 and 12 stories, up to 250 and 300 residential units in structures between 6 and 12 stories, and structured parking. This is a joint public hearing which allows the public an opportunity to participate and comment on the request. Contact the Planning and Code Administration City Planner (listed below) at 301-258-6330 if you should have any questions and/or to learn more about this process and your ability to offer testimony and input.

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
Jacqueline Marsh, Planner

Planning and Code Administration

LOCATION MAP
700 Professional Drive

Kathleen Miller and Dena Levitz write in the Examiner:

A key piece of identification given to several thousand immigrants in Montgomery County that can be used to help enroll children in school is being issued without proof of residency in the county, immigrant advocates said. Leaders of immigrant advocacy group CASA of Maryland estimate the organization has provided more than 10,000 immigrants with “CASA of Maryland” identification cards over the past 10 years.

“We have a challenge,” [CASA director of services Maria] Paige said. “We ask people to provide address proof but a lot of immigrants don’t even rent anything more than a sofa or a bed that somebody else sleeps in during the night and they sleep in during the day.”

CASA officials say they have agreements with Montgomery and Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C. police departments to accept their cards as valid identification during routine stops.

From the City’s website. The artist’s homepage is here.

Olde Towne Mural Artist Selected
Posted 8/20/2007
Concept to be Unveiled at Celebrate Gaithersburg Festival

Olde Towne Gaithersburg will soon be graced with a mural created by well-known artist William Cochran. In June 2007, the Mayor and City Council approved the Art in Public Places Committee’s selection of Cochran as the artist for the mural project on the historic Belt Building, located at 227 East Diamond Avenue.

The mural will be in the trompe d’oeil or “fool the eye” style, looking so true to life that viewers may momentarily believe the painting to be real. Cochran is currently researching the history and people of Gaithersburg for inspiration and content, and will unveil his initial design concept at the Celebrate Gaithersburg in Olde Towne street festival on September 16, 2007.

The Art in Public Places Committee selected Cochran for his outstanding technical, aesthetic and professional standards; the compatibility of his style with the site; and his established record of extensive community involvement in the public art process.

Employing both traditional and contemporary techniques, William Cochran creates public works of art that explore local history and the meaning of place. His artworks are carefully woven into their social and architectural environments, yet they are timeless, detailed and multi-layered. He was the first American to be invited to Keim Mineral Paints in Augsburg, Germany for in-depth training in the legendary 120-year-old mural technique of Purkristalat, which creates murals that last for many decades and are impervious to everything from fire to acid rain.

Cochran’s well-known Community Bridge mural project transformed a plain concrete bridge in Frederick, Maryland into a potent catalyst for revitalization and renewal. Mr. Cochran’s work is in great demand and he is currently working on a range of projects for sites in and around Washington D.C. and New York. He teaches painting and is a popular speaker at universities, museums and conferences.

For more information please contact Gaithersburg Cultural Arts Director Denise Kayser at 301-258-6394 or dkayser@gaithersburgmd.gov.

From the City’s website:

Monday, August 20, 2007
Arrest
On 08/20/07, at 12:56 a. m., police responded to the CVS located at 546 North Frederick Avenue, for a report of a suspicious situation. Upon arrival, officers were advised by the complainant that a male suspect sitting outside of the CVS, inappropriately touched her 12 year old daughter, and whispered in her ear. The victim stated that the male suspect asked her if she wanted to be kissed, then rubbed his arm across her chest area while refusing to let she and her sister walk by. A view of the surveillance camera video supported her statement. The suspect was arrested and made a statement that he did ask her if she wanted to be kissed but denied touching her.

Arrested: Konstantimos Vasilio Kokolakis, white male,31 years of age, with a Frederick, Maryland address.

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Sunday, August 19, 2007
Arrest
On 08/19/07, at 12:37 a.m., police responded to the 600 block of Coral Reef Drive. for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found a victim suffering from severe face and head injuries she sustained from being struck several times with a blunt object. The victim was transported Suburban Hospital. The suspect was observed running form the scene, and was apprehended a short distance away.

Arrested was Lenin Martinez, 18 years of age, Hispanic male, with a Gaithersburg address.

Coral Reef Drive is near Muddy Branch, between West Side Drive and School Drive.

Thursday, August 16, 2007
Burglary
Sometime between 6:00 p.m. on 08/15/07 and 9:00 a.m. on 08/16/07, an unknown suspect pried the rear door to a business in the 300 block of S. Frederick Avenue. Property was stolen.

WTOP reports: Md. Burglar and Assault Suspect Picture Released:

A composite sketch has been released for Gaithersburg residents to help police track down a man who is charged for burglary and sexual assault.

The full press release from the County states:

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division - Homicide/Sex Section are continuing to investigate a burglary and sexual assault that occurred on Saturday, August 11, in Gaithersburg. They now have a composite to release to the public.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. on August 11, 6th District officers responded to the 18200 block of Lost Knife Circle in Gaithersburg, for the report of a burglary and sexual assault that had just occurred.

Through the course of the investigation it was learned that the 25-year-old female victim was asleep in bed when a lone male suspect forced the sliding glass door open and entered the victim’s apartment. The suspect walked into the bedroom and made demands for sexual actions from the victim. After a brief struggle with the suspect, he fled the apartment and was seen running towards the rear of the apartment complex.

The suspect, who closely resembles the computer-created composite, is described as a black male, 18 to 21 years of age, 5’6” to 5’7” tall, weighing 160 pounds. He had a close shaved head with no facial hair. He was carrying a white t-shirt and wearing blue jeans.

Anyone who has information about this incident and/or suspect is asked to call the Homicide/Sex Section at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

Ernesto Londoño and Karin Brulliard write in the Washington Post, Liberal Suburbs Don’t Avoid Heated Debates On Immigration:

Uncharacteristically, Leggett lost his cool.

“Shut up and listen for a moment!” he cried, silencing the crowd. “We are not in the business of enforcing immigration issues.”

Kathleen Miller writes in the Examiner, Area pro-immigrant groups say Va. proposals not all bad:

The leaders of Washington-area immigrant rights groups say Virginia communities that are considering denying services to illegal immigrants are actually helping immigrant advocacy organizations to get organized and coordinate tactics.

The agenda below is from the City’s website. There’s a few potentially interesting items on the agenda. First is a public hearing on changes to the voter registration procedures in the City. What this is about is removing the City’s own voter registration list, which for some time was maintained separately from the master voter registration list used for county, state and federal elections. It has been so long since anyone has registered this way that there now is no one on that list, and they’d like to remove the charter provision that provided for it. This is likely not to change anything in fact. What is more interesting is the fact that this was noted in the process of determining whether there was any procedure in place to exclude non-citizens from registering to vote; as I’ve mentioned previously, the answer appears to be that only the threat of prosecution for perjury stands in the way of an illegal immigrant’s registration.

The second thing I’d call attention to is the latest update on the $25 million swimming pool the City plans to build in the Lakelands. I’ve extracted a few images from the background materials:

The third item of interest is an update to the Casey East SDP. Again, a couple of pictures from the background materials:

Agenda - Mayor and City Council Meeting, 8/20/2007
Posted 8/16/2007

City of Gaithersburg
AGENDA FOR A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2007, 7:30 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. INVOCATION

Maxine Oliver, Baha’i Faith

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Held August 6, 2007
Background Material (pdf format)

V. CONSENT ITEM
(resolutions for approval by the City Council that do not need discussion)

Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Extend a Contract for Cleaning of City Facilities ($67,037)
Background Material (pdf format)

VI. APPOINTMENTS

Resolution of the City Council Confirming Appointments to the Board of Supervisors of Elections
Background Material (pdf format)

VII. OATH OF OFFICE TO BOARD OF SUPEVISORS OF ELECTIONS MEMBERS

VIII. PRESENTATIONS

1. Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County MD, Inc.
2. Gaithersburg Aquatic/Recreation Center Schematic Plan Update
   Background Material (pdf format)
   

IX. PUBLIC APPEARANCES
(public is invited to speak on any subject that is not a public hearing topic on tonight’s agenda – each speaker three minutes)

X. FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL/ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Upcoming City Events

XI. FROM THE CITY MANAGER

XII. PUBLIC HEARING

Resolution of the Mayor and City Council to Amend Section 27 of the City Charter to Modify the Procedures for Registering to Vote in City Elections
Background Material (pdf format)

XIII. RECESS MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

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HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

1. Call to Order

2. Approval of Minutes
   

   Minutes of a Historic District Commission Meeting Held June 18, 2007
   TBA - Background Material (pdf format)

3. Certificates of Approval

• HAWP-92C - Applicant: Michael Stumborg, 15 Walker Avenue, Removal of Rear Solarium/Replace with Enclosed Porch
  Background Material (pdf format)

• HAWP-109 - Applicant: Neang Lin, for Hak Srun Lin, 24 Chestnut Street, Expansion of Concrete Driveway
  Background Material (pdf format)

4. Policy Discussions

• HAWP-95A - Applicant: Irfan Khan, (Retroactive), 112 Meem Avenue, An Amendment to HAWP-95, Change of Materials/Window Style/Roof

  Background Material (pdf format)

• Historic Significance of 201 East Diamond Avenue, Applicant: Charles Blessing, for Inter-Continental Group, Demolition Permit
  Background Material (pdf format)

5. Adjournment

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XIV. RECONVENE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

XV. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND REGULATIONS

(ordinances, resolutions, and regulations to be introduced or adopted following appropriate procedures required by the City Code, or resolutions that may require discussion by the Mayor and Council prior to approval)

1. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Contract for Stream Restoration Design Services ($84,065)
   Background Material (pdf format)

2. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Enter Into an Agreement With the Housing Opportunities Commission to Administer a Residential Redevelopment Homeownership Assistance Program for Residents Displaced by Residential Redevelopment ($400,000)
   Background Material (pdf format)

3. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Awarding Matching Grants to Gateway Commons HOA, Kentlands Condominiums II (Town Homes), Kentlands Condominiums IV, Lakelands Ridge HOA, and the Gaithersburg Greater Historic District ($12,703)
   Background Material (pdf format)

4. Resolution of the Mayor And City Council Changing the Effective Date of Ordinance O-4-07 Adopting Section 15-9, and Providing for Future Changes to the Effective Date by Resolution
   Background Material (pdf format)

XVI. POLICY DISCUSSION AND STAFF GUIDANCE

(discussion by the Mayor and Council about previous public hearing topics and other policy matters)

1. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council to Amend Section 5 and Section 16 of the City Charter to Increase the Salary of the Mayor and the Members of the City Council and to Create a New Section of 5A of the City Charter to Require the Appointment of the Mayor and City Council Compensation Committee Every Four Years
   Background Material (pdf format)

2. SDP-07-001, Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Gaithersburg Granting Approval of an Amendment to Schematic Development Plan, SDP-05-003, Known as Casey East (Parcels 360, 563 and N455) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Approved Plan is a Mix of Uses, Including 382 Residential Units, Office, Restaurant, Retail, Service Station, and Public Uses on Approximately 40.10 Acres of Land. The Current Application (SDP-07-001) Requests Approval to Redistribute the Number and Type of Dwelling Units Among the Three Residential Buildings, Reduce the Height of Building C From Seven to Five Stories, Reduce the Mixed Use Retail by 1,700 Square Feet, Increase the Senior Center From 10,000 to 29,500 Square Feet, and Amend the Phasing Plan. The Subject Property is Located Northwest of the Intersection of Maryland Route 355 (North Frederick Avenue) and Watkins Mills Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland
   Background Material (pdf format - 7.5M)

3. Z-305(o), An Ordinance to Rezone 8,673 Square Feet of Land From the Existing R-A (Low Density Residential) Zone to the R-90 (Medium Density Residential) Zone, Under the Optional Method of Rezoning, in Accordance with Section 24-196 Map Amendments) and Section 24-198 (Optional Method) of the City Code. The Property is Currently Known as Parcel 100, in the Oakmont Subdivision, Located at 100 Central Avenue, in the City of Gaithersburg

   Background Material (pdf format)

XVII. FROM THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS, CITY ATTORNEY AND OTHER STAFF

XVIII. ADJOURNMENT

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ANNOUNCEMENT

Notice to the general public is hereby given that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Gaithersburg will NOT conduct a work session on Monday, August 27, 2007.

From the County’s website:

• The aggravated assault occurred at the Red Rock CafĂ©, 385 Muddy Branch Rd, on Friday 8/3 around 2340 hours. A group of adult males began arguing over the company of a female which quickly escalated to a fight with beer bottles and pool cues. Arrested were:

  Defendant: Aruro Narvaez H/M 5’6”, 140, DOB/12-23-70,
  Defendant: Jose Lizarraga-Bocanegra H/M 5’5”, 140, DOB/3-28-85,

• A commercial armed robbery occurred at the B & B Beer and Wine, 8403 Snouffer School Road, on Tuesday 8/7 around 2100 hours. The suspect entered and pointed a black semiautomatic handgun at the employee, demanding cash from the register. The victim complied and the suspect fled in a waiting vehicle.

  Suspect: B/M 30 to 32 years, 5’7” to 6’0”, 130-140, lower lip hair, grey tee shirt, jean shorts
  Suspect: (Driver of vehicle) B/M 5’8” to 5’9”, 190-210, black tee shirt with a picture or writing
  Vehicle: Blue Honda or Toyota

• The adult female resident of an apartment in the 600 block of West Side Drive awoke on Sunday 8/5 around 0500 hours to find what appeared to be a drunk male lying on top of her fondling her breasts. When she screamed and called for her son to help, the suspect fled. The resident had left her keys in the front door lock.
  
  Suspect: H/M 30 to 40 years, 5’6” to 5’7”, 170-180, silver upper teeth, blue jean shorts

• An armed robbery occurred at a bus stop at 211 North Frederick Avenue on Monday 8/6 around 0145 hours. Two suspects approached, knocked the victim down, and threatened him with a knife. Both fled on foot after obtaining cash.

• The Exxon station at 448 North Frederick Avenue was robbed at gunpoint on Tuesday 7/31 at 2140 hours by the same suspect committing the offense weeks earlier. Investigation by patrol and SAT led to the identification and later arrest of the listed defendants.

  Defendant: Donald Eugene Dozier B/M 6’0”, 160, DOB/7-26-74, 49 West Diamond Ave #204
  Defendant: Jean Germain B/M 5’10”, 150, DOB/6-21-87, 49 West Diamond Ave #204

• A similar robbery involving subjects closely resembling the above suspects occurred at 355 and West Deer Park Road on Wednesday 8/1 around 0240 hours. The victim was struck in the back of the head and searched for his wallet. Approaching cars scared the suspects off as they fled on foot. [GCPD]

  Suspect: H/M 5’8”, 150-170, black cap, black tee shirt, blue jeans
  Suspect: H/M 5’8”, 150-170, black cap, white tee shirt, white shorts
  Suspect: H/M 5’8”, 150-170, white tee shirt, black shorts

• A strong arm robbery was reported Saturday 8/4 just after 0840 hours on Jarrett Court. The victim and suspect (both females) were among seven people traveling home from Delaware in a Lincoln when an argument ensued. The suspect claimed the victim had stolen her money, struck her with a shoe and stole her purse containing all of six dollars. Others occupants in this caravan gave differing accounts of the event.

  Suspect: “Tast” B/F 20 to 22 years, 5’2” to 5’4”, 120, long hair; was a passenger in a newer model, white Lincoln Continental with PA tags

  Jarrett Court is near Wightman Road & Montgomery Village Ave.

• An adult male was the victim of a strong arm robbery at Copps Hill Drive and Contour Road on Thursday 8/2 around 2220 hours. The suspect asked the victim for a dollar and when the victim refused, the suspect punched him in the nose. The suspect removed cash from the victim’s pocket. He also stated he has seen the suspect before at the 5D Bus Depot on Aircraft Drive.

  Suspect: W/M 25 to 30 years, 6’1” to 6’3”, 250-265, long brown hair, black tee shirt

  Copps Hill & Contour are near Odendhal & Lost Knife.

• On Sunday 8/5 around 0150 hours, a drunk patron at the Grand Billiards Bar, 18925 Earhart Court, picked a fight with two other men there, resulting with the instigator being punched and kicked in the head. The suspects then went through the victim’s pockets and stole his cash and cell phone.

  Suspect: B/M thin, corn rows, white sleeveless shirt with a red design
  Suspect: B/M bald, black tee shirt, blue jeans
  Suspect Vehicle: Blue or black Cadillac

  Erhart Court is off Snouffer’s School, near the Airpark.

• An apartment burglary occurred in the 700 block of Clopper Road on Tuesday 7/31 between 0545 and 1400 hours. The screen to a side window was cut, though it is not known if the window itself was secure. A laptop was taken.

• As first posted on the 6D web board, vehicles on Midline Road and Rye Court were broken into between Wednesday 8/1 and Thursday 8/2. A laptop, golf clubs, cash, and a GPS unit were among the items stolen. Also posted were three other vehicles in the 700 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard broken into where the targets were GPS systems and stereos. Various CRs.

  Midline Road & Rye Court are west of Quince Orchard Road, near Great Seneca Highway.



• Three Honda Accords were broken into between Tuesday 7/31 and Wednesday 8/1 at 415 Russell Avenue. In each case, a window was broken and the airbags stolen. These are the first such cases since early May.

• Four additional vehicles on Lost Knife Circle were broken into over the course of this past weekend. Unlike Russell Avenue, different items (to include a stereo, clothing, and cash) were taken from three different make vehicles.

• An attempted robbery occurred in the parking lot of Whetstone Elementary, 19201 Thomas Farm Road, on Saturday 8/4 at 0200 hours. Four adults stated they were playing in the parking lot, when they were approached by four suspects who demanded their money. One victim was knocked to the ground; while a second male was struck in the face. Weapons were implied and nothing was obtained. A quick response and foot pursuit led to the arrest of two.

  Defendant: Jacob Alvial H/M 5’6”, 135, DOB/11-28-88,
  Defendant: Juvenile H/M 5’7”, 220, 16 years,
  Suspect: B/M 20 to 25 years, dredlocks, black skull cap, black ball cap, dark blue shirt
  Suspect: H/M 20 to 25 years, 5’8” to 5’10”, 160-170, mustache, black shirt, blue jeans

• A residential burglary occurred in the 10200 block of Cove Ledge Court on Monday 8/6 between 1330 and 1900 hours. The front door lock, according to the homeowner, does not work properly. The suspect(s) ransacked multiple rooms and used kitchen appliances, but stole nothing.

  Cove Ledge Court is off Watkins Mill, south of Apple Ridge.

• Possibly related to the Cove Ledge case is a residential burglary on Travis Court on the same day between 1230 and 1330 hours. Two teens were home when a subject knocked on the door. One went to the door but saw someone she did not recognize him and she declined to answer. One hour later, she found the basement glass slider open. A cell phone and cash was discovered missing.

  Travis Court is near where Russell dead-ends into Watkins Mill.

• On Tuesday 7/31 around 2145 hours, an adult female traveling on Montgomery Village Avenue near Stewartown Road was followed by a subject who turned on a strobe dash light in what appeared to be an attempt to pull her over. The vehicle was also equipped with a rotating blue light in the back. The woman turned off, but the subject continued on.

  Suspect: W/M or H/M 30 to 40 years, short brown hair
  Suspect Vehicle: dark blue boxy-type van with a gold or brown stripe

  Stewartown Road runs between Montgomery Village Ave and Goshen Road, north of Centerway.

• A residential burglary occurred between Wednesday 8/1 at 2100 and Thursday 8/2 at 1000 hours on Laytonia Drive. The lock to the sliding glass door was pried. Three televisions, a stereo, and a DVD player were stolen.

  Laytonia Drive is off Muncaster Mill Road, between Woodfield and Shady Grove.

From the City’s website:

Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Strong Arm Robbery
On 8/15/07 at 12:43 A.M. there was a strong arm robbery in the 400 block of North Frederick Avenue. The victim was approached by three suspects who threatened to assault him if he did not give them his money. The victim complied and the suspects left the area and were located a short time later. All three suspects were identified and arrested.

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Monday, August 13, 2007
Burglary
On 8/13/07, at 12:22 a.m., there was a burglary reported in the 400 block of Girard Street. A known suspect broke into the residence by breaking out the window. Once inside he destroyed and removed property.