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
August 3, 2010 (12:20 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Ricucci of the Takoma Park Police Department announces the arrests of a male juvenile, 16, of Takoma Park, Maryland, and Leo Connel, 18, of no fixed address. for hate crimes - simple assault and malicious destruction of property.
On August 3, 2010, at approximately 2:21 a.m., victims were leaving a food establishment in the 7400 block of New Hampshire Avenue, when they were confronted by a large group of subjects (six to eight males and two females); harassing them about their sexual orientation. As the victims were pulling out of the parking lot, the group approached the vehicle and Connel reached inside the vehicle and assaulted one of the victims. The victims left the area and immediately called the Takoma Park Police. It was then they noticed damage to the hood of their vehicle. The victims were taken back to the food establishment where they identified the juvenile as one of the offenders. The juvenile was arrested, charged accordingly and then released to the custody of a guardian. Approximately one hour later, Connel was seen walking on New Hampshire Avenue near Kingwood Avenue with several members of the group from the prior encounter. Connel was arrested, charged accordingly and then transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.
This was an excellent arrest by Squad 1 members of the Takoma Park Police Department!
