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 24, 2011 (2:38 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chief Ronald A. Ricucci from the Takoma Park Police Department announces the arrests of Jose O. Arbaiza, 46, of Hyattsville, Maryland, and Romeo Hernandez, 37, address unknown. Arbaiza was charged with Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Cocaine. Hernandez was charged with Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Cocaine, Possession with the Intent to Distribute CDS Cocaine and Resisting Arrest. Hernandez was additionally charged with providing false information and he was also wanted through Montgomery County Police for a sex offense.
On November 23, 2011, at approximately 9:42 p.m., Takoma Park Police responded to the 900 block of University Blvd. (Tijuana’s restaurant) for a check on the establishment. The officer responded to the bathroom inside the establishment and immediately made contact with Arbaiza and Hernandez who were inside a bathroom stall together. Based on what he saw and heard, and due to the officer’s training, knowledge and experience, he concluded that the two subjects were conducting a CDS transaction.
Arbaiza and Hernandez stepped out of the stall and were immediately detained by the officer. Back-up was requested and the officer conducted a search incident to arrest for more CDS and weapons. Arbaiza was placed under arrest without incident.
Officers attempted to place Hernandez into custody, however, he physically resisted arrest and fought the officers. After several verbal judo attempts to get Hernandez under control, as well as physical attempts to gain control of Hernandez, officers were left with no choice but to use their police-issued taser to bring Hernandez under control. After deploying the taser, and finally bringing Hernandez under control, officers requested Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services to aid Hernandez. Paramedics indicated that, based on their knowledge and experience, Hernandez was under the influence of Cocaine.
Hernandez was arrested and charged accordingly. Both Arbaiza and Hernandez were transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit (CPU). At CPU, after being finger-printed, it was revealed that Hernandez had given a false name, date of birth and social security number at the scene when he was arrested.
