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Regarding Sunday’s rape report, MCP issued the following press release, obtained via Connected Communities:

Composite Created of Sexual Assault Suspect

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide/Sex Section continue to investigate a rape that occurred between 3:00 a.m. and the 5:40 a.m. on Sunday, January 18, after the female victim was forced into a vehicle in the vicinity of Olde Towne, Gaithersburg.

Detectives are releasing a computer-created composite of the suspect who was in the rear seat of the vehicle and pulled the victim into an SUV prior to the assault. He is described as a Hispanic man in his 30’s, 5’6” to 5’7” tall, with a thin build, light skin, long hair, scruffy beard, and a mustache. Another suspect was described as a Hispanic man with a dark complexion, approximately 30 to 33 years old, with a medium build, short straight black hair, and a light mustache. He was wearing a dark-colored zippered jacket, and jeans. He was described as speaking fairly good English and some Spanish. The other suspect is described as a Hispanic man, between 25 and 32 years old, and 5’6” tall. He was wearing a black pullover hoodie.

Police Composite of Rape Suspect

It was learned through the preliminary investigation that the 21-year-old female victim from Laurel, Maryland, had been out with a male acquaintance at approximately 10:30 Saturday night. They had returned to his residence on Linda Court in Gaithersburg. She was unfamiliar with the area and left the home at approximately 3:00 a.m. walking to find a nearby store.

She was walking in the area of Olde Towne, Gaithersburg, when a burgundy or red four-door Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with tan leather interior and a rear bench seat, came up behind and stopped next to her. There were three unknown men inside the vehicle. One suspect got out and pulled the victim inside. The car was driven to an unknown location in the area. The victim did not know where she was taken after driving a short time, but described the area where they stopped as a deserted field, without any buildings nearby. She saw two large dogs in the field. The victim was raped by all three male men. She was then driven back to the area of the 7200 block of Muncaster Mill Road and the Redmill Shopping Center and dropped off there. She was able to go inside a McDonald’s to seek help.

Anyone who has any information about the suspects and/or the sexual assault is asked to call detectives at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

Update 2: MCP has put out an updated release, including a photograph of the victim [photo via Connected Communities]:

1/23/2009

Update: Police Seek Help for Gaithersburg Homicide / Release Photograph of Victim

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide/Sex Section continue to investigate the death of 15-year-old Dennis Alfredo Guzman-Saenz, of the 8100 block of 14th Avenue in Hyattsville, Maryland. His body was found Monday morning, January 19, 2009, at the edge of a stream in the Malcolm King Park located at the end of School Drive in Gaithersburg.

Guzman-Saenz lived and attended high school in Prince George’s County. Detectives have confirmed that he was in Langley Park Sunday, January 18, at approximately 7:30 p.m. They are releasing his photograph and asking anyone who saw Guzman-Saenz on Sunday evening or the morning of Monday, January 19 to call them. They are also asking for any information about a loud party that may have taken place late Sunday night into Monday morning in a townhouse on Prairie Rose Lane or Apple Seed Lane in Gaithersburg.

Guzman-Saenz is described as a Hispanic male, 5’9’ tall, weighing 130 pounds, with short dark hair. He was found wearing a black winter jacket and dark blue jeans. At this stage of the investigation it is not known where and when the fatal assault occurred.

On the morning of January 19, 2009, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a man collecting trash in Malcolm King Park saw a body and called police. Responding officers found the unidentified deceased male with stab (sharp force) wounds to his body. The Medical Examiner ruled the manner of death homicide and the cause of death sharp force injuries.

Anyone who has information about the circumstances of Guzman-Saenz’ death and/or saw him between January 19 and January 20, is asked to call Homicide detectives at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

Update: MCP put out a press release on this, obtained via Connected Communities:

Victim Identified in Gaithersburg Homicide

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide/Sex Section continue to investigate the death of a man whose body was found on Monday, January 19, 2009, at the edge of a stream in the Malcolm King Park located at the end of School Drive in Gaithersburg.

The victim has been identified as Dennis Alfredo Guzman-Saenz, 15 years old, of the 8100 block of 14th Avenue, Hyattsville, Maryland.

On the morning of January 19, 2009, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a man collecting trash in the area saw a body and police were called. Responding officers found the unidentified deceased male with stab wounds to his body. The death is being investigated as a homicide. At this stage of the investigation it is not known where and when the initial assault occurred.

Anyone who has information about the circumstances of his death is asked to call Homicide detectives at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

Regarding the body found in Malcom King Park, Patricia M. Murret reports:

The body found Monday in Gaithersburg has been identified as a Langley Park teenager, according to police.

Dennis Alfredo Guzman-Saenz, 15, of the 8100 block of 14th Avenue, was found with multiple stab wounds at the edge of a stream in Malcolm King Park on School Drive, according to Montgomery County Police. He was a student at High Point High School in Beltsville, said Officer Melanie Brenner, a police spokeswoman.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Planning Commission Meeting, 1/21/2009

Posted 1/13/2009

City of Gaithersburg
31 South Summit Avenue

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
Telephone: 301-258-6330

PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA [subject to change]
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
7:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

January 7, 2009, Planning Commission Meeting
Background Material (pdf format)

RECORD PLATS

CONSENT

AFP-07-045 – Seneca Creek Community Church
E-1 Zone
13 Firstfield Road
Reuse from Office to Church
EXTENSION OF FINAL PLAN APPROVAL

Background Material (pdf format)

SP-08-0001 — Archstone at Olde Towne Gaithersburg
CBD Zone
320-408 East Diamond Avenue
Redevelopment of 7 Parcels and Public Alley
EXTENSION OF FINAL PLAN APPROVAL
Background Material (pdf format)

DISCUSSION

Draft Olde Towne Guidelines
Background Material (pdf format)

FROM THE COMMISSION

FROM STAFF

ADJOURNMENT

Via Connected Communites, where reports for all six districts are available.

P1 Beat:

• No significant activity

P2 Beat:

• No significant activity

R1 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred in the 18300 block of Lost Knife Circle in Montgomery Village between Wednesday, 12/31 and Saturday, 1/3. No signs of force used but property was removed.

R2 Beat:

• A robbery occurred in the 10600 block of Seneca Ridge Drive in Gaithersburg on Monday, 12/29 at 5:15 p.m. The suspects approached the victim, knocked him to the ground, and removed his property. One suspect was armed with a handgun.

  Suspects: Four B/M’s 16-18 years old, 5’-06” to 5’- 08” tall.

• A robbery occurred in the area of Stedwick Road and Watkins Mill Road in Montgomery Village on Friday, 1/2 at 7:25 p.m. Three B/M’s approached the male victim, knocked him to the ground and removed his property.

  Suspects: Three B/Ms in black clothing

• A residential garage burglary occurred in the 8800 block of Brink Road in Gaithersburg on Tuesday 12/30 between 12:45 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Suspects entered an open garage and removed property.

• A residential burglary occurred in the 20700 block of Highland Hall Drive in Montgomery Village on Saturday, 1/3 between 3:10 a.m. and 3:20 a.m. A resident was awakened by his barking dogs and found property missing. No signs of forced entry.

• A residential burglary occurred in the 7400 block of Rosewood Manor Lane in Gaithersburg on Monday, 1/5 between 11:00 a.m. and 1:25 p.m. Forced entry and property was removed.

• A sexual assault occurred on East Village Avenue near Lewisberry Drive on Tuesday, 1/6 around 10:00 p.m. A female jogger was running in the area when she was grabbed by the suspect and assaulted.

  Suspect: W/M 25-35 years, 5’9” to 5’10”, 170-180 lbs., short brown hair

S1 Beat:

• A robbery occurred on Park Avenue near North Summit Avenue in Gaithersburg on Saturday, 1/3 around 10:40 p.m. The three suspects approached the victim with one pointing a handgun at her and demanded her purse. The victim complied and all suspects fled on foot.

  Suspects: H/Ms in dark hoodies, NFD

• A commercial burglary occurred at Compudc.com located at 435 East Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg on Monday, 1/5 around 4:00 a.m. Responding to an alarm, units found the front forced entry. The business owner advised property were stolen.

• A residential burglary occurred on Nina Court in Gaithersburg on Thursday, 1/1 between noon and 8:00 p.m. Forced entry and property was removed.

• A residential burglary occurred in the 400 block of Belle Grove Road in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, 1/6 between 7:50 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. Forced entry and property was removed.

S2 Beat:

• A robbery occurred in the 18400 block of Guildberry Drive in Gaithersburg on Friday, 1/2 around 12:50 a.m. Two suspects emerged from the bushes, one of whom then held a handgun directly at the victim. Demanding cash but finding none, the suspects took miscellaneous items the victim had just purchased at the nearby 7-11 and fled.
  Suspect: B/M 18-22 years, 5’7” to 5’8”, ski mask, handgun
  Suspect: B/M 18-22 years, 5’10”, ski mask

• A residential burglary occurred in the 18300 block of Streamside Drive in Gaithersburg between Thursday, 1/1 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, 1/2 at 1:15
  a.m. Forced entry and property was removed.

• A theft of a vehicle occurred in the 8700 block of Cathedral Way in Gaithersburg between Wednesday, 12/31 and Thursday, 1/1. The vehicle was discovered a block away.

• A theft of a vehicle occurred in the 18900 block of Impulse Lane in Gaithersburg between Wednesday, 12/31 and Thursday, 1/1. Suspects used a key to steal the vehicle, which was found on Stedwick Road in Montgomery Village.

Update: Patricia M. Murret reports in the Gazette:

The body found Monday in Gaithersburg has been identified as a Langley Park teenager, according to police.

Dennis Alfredo Guzman-Saenz, 15, of the 8100 block of 14th Avenue, was found with multiple stab wounds at the edge of a stream in Malcolm King Park on School Drive, according to Montgomery County Police. He was a student at High Point High School in Beltsville, said Officer Melanie Brenner, a police spokeswoman.

From the County’s website:

1/19/2009

Body Found in Gaithersburg / Investigated as a Homicide

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide/sex Section are investigating the death of a man whose body was found this morning at the edge of a stream in the Malcolm King Park located at the end of School Drive in Gaithersburg.

This morning at approximately 7:30, a man collecting trash in the area, saw a body and police were called. Responding officers found the unidentified deceased male with stab wounds to his body. The death is being investigated as a homicide. At this stage of the investigation it is not known where and when the initial stabbing assault occurred.

The victim is described as a male, possibly Asian or Hispanic, who is believed to be a young adult. He has a thin build, and short black hair. He was wearing a black jacket and jeans.

Anyone who has information about the identity of the victim and/or the circumstances of his death is asked to call Homicide detectives at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

###

Contact: Media Services Division Phone: 240.773.5030

The Gazette has a story on this incident, written by Patricia M. Murret:

Police do not know how long the body had been at the site and will not say how many times the man was stabbed, Baur said.

“That is information pertinent to the investigation, not for public release at this stage,” Baur said, adding that “it’s too soon to tell” whether the stabbing was gang-related or whether the man had been robbed.

Police have not yet determined where and when the stabbing occurred, Baur said.

Update: The County’s press release has now been updated to confirm that the abduction did occur as the victim was walking to the 7-Eleven in Duvall Center. Also, Patricia M. Murret has posted a story on this incident:

Three men abducted a 21-year-old Laurel woman early Sunday near Olde Towne Gaithersburg, drove her to a nearby field and raped her, police said Monday.

Police are seeking the public’s help, said Lucille Baur, a Montgomery County Police spokeswoman.

“Because the victim is not from the area, she really doesn’t have a sense of where the assault occurred, so we are asking the public … if someone has a sense of where this field might be,” Baur said.

The following is a somewhat flawed description of a tragic event. Linda Court is a cul-de-sac off Crestwood Drive, which is off North Summit a bit north of Gaithersburg Elementary School. The nearest 7-Eleven is not on on Duvall Lane but rather in Duvall Center, which is a small shopping center on MD355, just north of the bridge over the CSX tracks, with the 7-Eleven, the Starvin Marvin sandwich & pizza shop, and the Song Toy Chinese restaurant.

From the County’s website:

1/18/2009

Woman Forced into Vehicle in Gaithersburg and Raped

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide/Sex Section are investigating a rape that occurred between 3:00 and the 5:40 this morning, after the female victim was forced into a vehicle in the vicinity of Olde Towne, Gaithersburg.

It was learned through the preliminary investigation that the 21-year-old female victim from Laurel, Maryland, had been out with a male acquaintance at approximately 10:30 Saturday night. They had returned to his residence on Linda Court in Gaithersburg. She left the home at approximately 3:00 a.m. and was walking to the 7-Eleven store on Duvall Lane.

She was walking in the area of Olde Towne, Gaithersburg, when a burgundy or red four-door Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with tan leather interior and a rear bench seat, came up behind and stopped next to her. There were three unknown men inside the vehicle. One suspect got out and pulled the victim inside. The car was driven to an unknown location in the area. The victim did not know where she taken after driving a short time, but described the area where they stopped as a deserted field, perhaps a cornfield, without any buildings nearby. She saw two large dogs in the field. The victim was raped by the driver and his two passengers. She was then driven back to the area of the 7200 block of Muncaster Mill Road and the Red Mill Shopping Center and dropped off there. She was able to go inside a McDonald’s to seek help.

The suspects are described as Hispanic males approximately 25 to 30 years of age. One of the suspects had slicked back collar-length hair, with long sideburns and a goatee. The other two men had short hair. All three suspects are described as having Mexican accents.

Anyone who has any information about the suspects and/or the sexual assault is asked to call detectives at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

###

Contact: Media Services Division Phone: 240.773.5030

From the City’s website:

Friday, January 16, 2009

Strong Arm Robbery

On 01/16/09 at 11:50a.m., police responded to Lakeforest Mall, 701 Russell Avenue, for a strong armed robbery, sexual assault and theft. The suspect assaulted and stole the first victim’s purse while in the parking lot. The suspect then stole merchandise from a store inside the mall. The suspect then sexually assaulted two separate victims, smacking their buttocks and kissing one victim on the face. An arrest was made by the police.

---

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Attempted Burglary

Sometime between 01/14/09 at 6:00 p.m. and 01/15/09 at 9:30 a.m., an unknown suspect attempted to burglarize a business in the 900 block of Russell Avenue.

Strong Arm Robbery

A victim reported that he was punched in the face and had his property taken at the bus stop on West Deer Park Rd. Two subjects were stopped, identified and arrested.

Thefts from Vehicles

At 20 minutes passed midnight three subjects were found breaking into a vehicle on Victory Farm Drive. All three were arrested without incident.

---

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Aggravated Assault

On 1/14/09, at 9:14 p.m., there was an aggravated assault in the 600 block of S. Frederick Avenue. A passenger on a bus was stabbed in the hand by another passenger who was arrested on the scene.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Teen dad faces murder charge in son’s death:
  

  The Gaithersburg teen charged with murder in the death of his 2-year-old son continues to be held without bond in the Montgomery County Detention Center.

  “Obviously, you’re in a heap of trouble to say the least,” Montgomery County District Court Judge Barry A. Hamilton told the defendant, Darryl Eugene Powell, 17, during a bond hearing Monday.

  Powell, of the 4700 block of Merust Lane, was arrested Friday after an autopsy determined that his son Zjaire Williams was a homicide victim who died Jan. 7 of “multiple injuries” revealed by bruises in his mouth and on his body, according to county police.

  Actually, he lives in the 9400 block — there is no 4700 block of that street.

• Jen Beasley writes, Foreclosed homes are being eyed as low-income housing:
  

  Advocates of more housing for low-income families in the county are encouraged by a federal program that looks to swap scores of “foreclosed” signs with “for rent” signs, mainly in Aspen Hill and Germantown. But some in those hard-hit communities are skeptical of a plan they say precludes homeownership and boxes out private investors.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Plan for city senior center moves forward:
  

  Gaithersburg leaders agreed Monday to go forward with feasibility studies on sites for a new senior center.

  Final approval will come in an official meeting, but Mayor Sidney A. Katz and his City Council said they plan to give the go-ahead.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Teen pleads guilty in bomb-making case:
  

  A Gaithersburg teen who wanted to join the military pleaded guilty Friday to two felony explosives charges in a high-profile case that involved more than 50 pounds of chemicals, assault rifles, a school faculty list, and a map of Camp David marked with a presidential motorcade route found in a Bethesda man’s bedroom.

  Patrick Serafin Yevsukov, 17, pleaded guilty to two felony charges of manufacture or possession of a destructive device with incendiary intent, misdemeanor theft for stealing police letterhead and unauthorized use of a computer during an internship with county police.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Jogger sexually assaulted in Montgomery Village:
  

  Montgomery County police are calling on the public for help in their investigation into a sexual assault in the East Village community of Montgomery Village.

• Joe Beck writes, Boy who hit officer with SUV the night before Thankgiving is indicted:
  

  A Montgomery County Circuit Court grand jury indicted a 16-year-old Clarksburg boy last week on 10 counts, accusing him of striking a police officer with his sport utility vehicle at a Gaithersburg church and fleeing the scene after the officer fired shots at his vehicle.

  The charges against Joseph W. Nelson, 16, of the 23200 block of Rainbow Arch Drive, include first- and second-degree assault and several offenses related to failure to help the officer he struck, leaving an accident scene and fleeing from police.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Leggett: Residents may ‘feel some of this pain’ in budget:
  

  Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett warned of hard times ahead but said the struggle will make the county stronger at the first of five budget forums scheduled around the county this month.

• Marcus Moore writes, Questions remain on school fees plan:
  

  The school system’s plan to scale back the number of classroom fees is garnering mixed reviews from some parents and school leaders.

• Joe Beck writes, Homeowners throng for foreclosure help:
  

  One hundred homeowners sought the help of housing counselors and lawyers at a foreclosure seminar hosted by U.S. Rep. Donna F. Edwards at Montgomery College-Germantown last week.

• Erin Donaghue writes, Psychiatrist: son charged with killing his dad was schizophrenic:
  

  David Winters, a 19-year-old North Potomac man who continues to stand trial for first degree murder in Montgomery County Circuit Court, was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia the night he allegedly stabbed his father to death, according to the testimony of a forensic psychiatrist Tuesday.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Jury rules not guilty in Harvey murder:
  

  A Montgomery County jury cleared a Gaithersburg man last week in the April shooting death and robbery of a woman outside her Grove Park apartment.

  The defendant, Aaron Shepherd, 20, was found guilty Thursday of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. He will be sentenced in March.

  He is the first of three suspects to be tried for the killing of Lindsay Marie Harvey, 25, of Gaithersburg.

• Robert Dongu writes, A long and muddy road to completion:
  

  Environmental restrictions and thick mud aside, the Fairland and Burtonsville stretch of the Intercounty Connector remains on schedule for 2011, an ICC engineer said.

Via Connected Communites, where reports for all six districts are available.

P1 Beat:

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 400 block of West Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg on Saturday, 12/27 around 1:15 a.m. Suspects broke a window and set off an alarm which alerted the owner. GPS charger taken.

  Suspect: H/M and a B/M male

P2 Beat:

• A commercial burglary occurred at the Absolute Mac store located 895 Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg on Wednesday, 12/24 around 2:35 a.m. Forced entry, property taken.
• A commercial burglary occurred at The Gourmet Grog at 614 Quince Orchard Road in Gaithersburg between Thursday, 12/25. and Friday 12/26. Forced entry, cash taken.

R1 Beat:

• A burglary occurred at South Lake Elementary School at 18201 Contour Road in Montgomery Village on Friday, 12/26. Forced entry, property taken.

R2 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred on Harbor Tree Court in Montgomery Village sometime between Friday, 12/15 and Monday, 12/29. Forced entry, nothing taken.
• A robbery occurred at the intersection of Apple Ridge and Montgomery Village Avenue in Montgomery Village on Thursday, 12/25. Suspects approached victim, struck victim and removed property. Suspects fled on foot.

  Suspect: 4 B/M’s 18-22 years old

• A robbery occurred at the intersection of Walker’s Choice and Stedwick Road in Montgomery Village on Friday, 12/26. Suspects approached victim, demanded/obtained property, and fled.

  Suspect: 4 B/M’s 18-22 years

• A robbery occurred in the 10000 block of Ridgeline Drive in Montgomery Village on Friday, 12/26 at 11:00 p.m. Suspects approached the victim and knocked her to the ground. Suspects grabbed her bag and fled.

  Suspect: 4 B/M’s 18-22 years old

• A robbery occurred in the 10600 block of Seneca Ridge Drive in Gaithersburg on Monday, 12/29. Victim was attacked by suspects after they displayed a handgun. Victim fled and lost his cell phone at the scene.

  Suspect: 4 B/M’s 18-22 years

S1 Beat:

• An attempted armed robbery occurred at the Tacos Pepitos Bakery at 107 East Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, 12/30 around 8:00 p.m. One suspect began arguing with the employee, left, then returned with another suspect. The dispute continued when the second man produced a knife and demanded money. He fled when the employee called police. The first
  suspect was arrested at the scene.
• A theft from a construction site occurred at Washington Grove Elementary on Oakmont Street in Gaithersburg between Wednesday, 12/24 and Monday, 12/29. Suspects removed copper piping from storage shed.
• An attempted burglary occurred in the 300 block of Sunnybrook Terrace in Gaithersburg on Sunday, 12/28 between midnight and 2:00 a.m. Force used, no entry made.

S2 Beat:

• An aggravated assault occurred outside of Grand Billiards, 18925 Earhardt Court in Gaithersburg on Thursday, 12/25 around 2:00 a.m. Two adult males say they were attacked without provocation by as many as 15 suspects.