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
November 20, 2011 (9:15 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Ronald A. Ricucci from the Takoma Park Police Department announces the arrests of Elder Molina-Umana, 23, of Hyattsville, Maryland, and Antoni Rivas-Melendez, 24, of Glen Dale, Maryland, for attempted murder, first degree assault, second degree assault, resisting arrest, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, second degree assault, possession of a concealed deadly weapon and possession of marijuana.
On November 20, 2011, at approximately 1:46 a.m., a Takoma Park Police Gang Investigator was in the area of the 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue (Mogotillo’s Restaurant) after receiving information about increased gang activity at the location. While at the establishment, the officer observed a male, later identified as the restaurant’s security officer, running from the front of the restaurant toward the parking lot. The security officer was being chased by Molina-Umana with a machete. The officer requested back up and exited his vehicle to assist the security officer. The officer identified himself to Molina-Umana and ordered him to drop his weapon. He did drop the machete and then fled on foot. A short foot pursuit ensued after which Molina-Umana was taken into custody without incident.
Further investigation revealed that a second suspect, Rivas-Melendez, also attempted to assault the security officer and was found to be in possession of a butterfly-style knife as well as a small amount of marijuana. The victim (security officer) indicated that he instructed the two suspects that they could not leave the establishment with an open container of alcohol at which time both suspects became angry and left. A short time later, they returned and attempted to engage the security officer in a fight. Rivas-Melendez charged at the security officer with his fists raised and was subsequently pepper-sprayed. Molina-Umana then produced a machete and struck the security officer in the head causing a non-life threatening injury.
Both suspects are affiliated with a gang.
Molina-Umana and Rivas-Melendez were both arrested, charged accordingly and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.
