Several recent burglaries at businesses in Columbia Heights and Park View may be related, say D.C. Police.
On Aug. 9, a man wearing a ski mask threw a rock through a window at arts nonprofit BloomBars (3222 11th Street NW) and allegedly took two donation boxes and change from a swear jar. A week later, a similarly dressed man was filmed smashing a glass door and entering a business on the 3200 block of Georgia Avenue NW.
Now, Colony Club (3118 Georgia Avenue NW) and Meridian Pint (3400 11th St NW), just blocks away, say they may have been hit by the same burglar.
Colony Club co-owners Ben Heller and Max Zuckerman say a masked man broke into their business last Sunday.
“He broke in at 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning,” Heller said. “He used some sort of mallet type hammer to break through our back door, which is a glass door.”
The alleged burglar was filmed by surveillance cameras swiping a handful of beers and a bag of tools.
“There was a moment yesterday where we maybe thought it was the same person [as the BloomBars burglar],” Zuckerman said. But the mask and the grainy footage make it hard to positively identify the man, he adds.
“In terms of what he actually stole, it’s probably no more than a couple hundred dollars,” Heller says. “The main expense for us is having to replace the back door, or at least the glass on the back door.”
Meridian Pint general manager Heather Kendrick says her business was burglarized just this morning.
“At approximately 3:40 in the morning, [the burglar] smashed the window in,” Kendrick says. “He made off with some booze from here. Super infuriating.”
Meridian Pint’s surveillance cameras were rolling as the alleged burglar raided the bar and restaurant.
“To my sleuthing self, the guy looks like to be the same guy as the BloomBars thief,” she adds. “Same time, same mask, same gloves.”
The Metropolitan Police Department’s Third District Commander Jacob Kishter said that although the burglaries are “most likely related,” police are still investigating the possible link.
Surveillance videos courtesy of BloomBars, MPD and Colony Club
Some Columbia Heights residents are squabbling over the recent appearance of “gravy-covered rat poison” in an alley near the intersection of 11th and Monroe streets NW.
“Someone put gravy-covered poison in the alley,” reads a flier that first appeared in the alley on Friday. “Please watch your pets and don’t let them eat anything in the alley.”
The flier also addresses the alleged poisoner.
“It is illegal to put rat poison in public spaces in D.C. Look it up. Putting gravy on it suggests you are either extremely ignorant or targeting dogs or cats,” continues the flier.
Columbia Heights resident Peter Orvetti first noticed on Friday the appearance of fliers warning locals of gravy-covered poison.
“The first sign appeared two days ago, posted about a dozen times,” he wrote in an e-mail to the Columbia Heights listserv last night. “Today, someone responded.”
Orvetti attached to his e-mail a photo of a second flier, posted yesterday, that seems to take issue with the first.
“I didn’t poison the f—–g cats,” reads the second flyer. “I wouldn’t waste the gravy.”
Orvetti told Borderstan this morning he isn’t sure who posted either fliers and that he hasn’t yet seen any gravy-covered poison.
“I’m not really sure what the response poster was getting at,” he said in an e-mail.
D.C. police say they have not yet received any complaints of gravy-covered poison in the area.
Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.
DC Police reported a robbery with force and violence at 3:07 am, Saturday, June 1, on the 1800 block of New Hampshire Avenue NW; the block runs from S to T Streets. The lookout is for two men; details are below.
From the Police Alert: “ROBBERY FORCE & VIOLENCE 0307 HOURS 1800 BLOCK OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE NW LOOKOUT FOR (2) B/M’S 20-25 YEARS OF AGE (1) WEARING A WHITE SHIRT & A RED HAT (2) B/M DARK COMPLEXION, 190 LBS., DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT I20130264155. Sent on: 06/01 03:20.”
From the DC Police Twitter feed: “Robbery F&V //1800 Blk New Hampshire Avenue NW //LOF (2) B/M’s (1) 20-25 YOA wearing a white shirt & red hat (2) dark complex 190 lbs //6559.”
Police Alerts, More Information
- You can sign up for alerts through Alert DC and get alerts by e-mail, cell phone, pager or wireless PDA. When signing up, you can select alerts on crime, transportation, utility outages/issues, government closings, breaking news, DC-sponsored events and Amber Alerts.
- You can follow the DC Police on Twitter @DCPoliceDept.
- You can get more information about crime in the Borderstan area through the MPD listservs for the Second and Third Districts on Yahoo! Groups.
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Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.
DC Police reported a robbery with force and violence at 7:35 pm, Thursday, May 30, on the 2200 block of 11th Street NW; the block runs from W Street to Florida Avenue NW. The lookout is for four men; details are below.
From the Police Alert: “Rob F&V//1935 hrs//2200 block of 11th St, NW//4 B/F// (1) Susp was wearing a yellow shirt, no further info for add’l susp. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT I20130261382, Sent on: 05/30 20:17.”
From the DC Police Twitter feed: “Confirmed Robbery Force&Violence//1935 hs.//2200 block of 11th St, NW//4 B/F (1) Suspect-wearing yearing yellow shirt, no further L/O.6173.”
Police Alerts, More Information
- You can sign up for alerts through Alert DC and get alerts by e-mail, cell phone, pager or wireless PDA. When signing up, you can select alerts on crime, transportation, utility outages/issues, government closings, breaking news, DC-sponsored events and Amber Alerts.
- You can follow the DC Police on Twitter @DCPoliceDept.
- You can get more information about crime in the Borderstan area through the MPD listservs for the Second and Third Districts on Yahoo! Groups.
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Trixie got lost near 11th and U Streets NW.
Last night Trixie went missing near 11th and U Streets NW. If anyone has seen her, please contact Allison at [email protected] or call 202-365-2337.
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Tortino at 1228 11th Street NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Luis Gomez. Catch his photos at One Photograph A Day. Follow him on Twitter @LuisGomezPhotos.
Out of the flare of the 14th Street restaurants but just a few blocks from Logan Circle on 11th Street NW, Tortino Restaurant is a little Italian secret.
Located on the lower level of 1228 on 11th Street, you could walk by and even miss it if you are not looking for the Tortino sign. We spoke to owner and Chef Noé Canales, whose Italian-inspired cuisine comes after working at Tosca, Al Tiramisu and Cafe Milano, among others.
Tortino’s Grilled Pork Chops. (Courtesy Tortino)
Chef Noé opened Tortino in November 2012 with the idea of a good flavorful meal. He had in mind the beauty and taste of grandma’s cooking.
Chef Noe’s big secret: “Salt and pepper in the right amount.”
Tortino has a nice setting inside, with low ceilings that make the place feel cozy.
The restaurant seats 60 with a small bar where you can enjoy the Tortino Martini (Godiva Coffee flavored). Hopefully the restaurant will have the small patio open this spring.
You can see Tortino’s menu here, but make sure to ask for the specials.
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From Rachel Nania. Check out her blog, Sear, Simmer & Stir. Follow Nania on Twitter @rnania, email her at rachel[AT]borderstan.com.
Corner of 11th and M Streets NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Plans for a potential mixed-use development for a building on 11th and M Street NW in Logan Circle are advancing.
Elevation Media reports that a vote for the concept of a 78,000-square-foot development at 1011 – 1015 M Street and 1201 – 1207 11th Street NW were supported in a recent ANC 2F meeting. The presentation to the ANC in March was to gain support from the Historical Preservation Review Board.
The developer on the project is Community Three Development LLC; Torti Gallas and Partners is the architect on the potential development.
“11th Street hasn’t seen the same pace of development that 14th, 9th or even 7th Street has seen, and I think the Community Three Development project will serve as a catalyst for greater growth along the 11th Street corridor,” ANC 2F commissioner Walt Cain told Borderstan.
“The Community Development Committee (CDC) and ANC were very impressed with the thoughtfulness of the design and the level of research put into making the architecture harmonious with other buildings in the neighborhood,” said Cain.
According to Elevation Media, the new development will actually be two distinct buildings (one will be six floors and the second will be nine floors) that will have 87 residential units, ground-floor retail space and underground parking.
Cain said that as of Community Three’s last presentation to ANC 2F, there are no firm plans for the retail space.
“The developers indicated to the ANC that they are interested in hearing ideas from local residents as to what kind of retail would make the most sense in the space and for the community,” Cain explained.
Community Three Development also renovated the historic 1316 9th Street NW building in Shaw that will soon be home to Thally, a contemporary American restaurant.
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From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com.
Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.
Twenty-six year old Alexis Pineda of Suitland, MD, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on March 15 for the 2011 shooting death of 24-year-old Jose Manuel Hernandez-Romero, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The homicide occurred March 27 at about 2:30 am at El Sauce Restaurant, 1227 11th Street NW.
Pineda shot the victim, who lived in the 1400 block of N Street NW, one time in the chest and he died hours later at a local hospital. Pineda and Hernandez-Romero had not met previously and, according to witnesses, there was no altercation prior to the shooting.
According to court documents, Pineda had been drinking before he came to El Sauce and has a history of mental illness. After the shooting, other customers and employees at El Sauce held down Pineda until police arrived.
Jaime Cruz, 31, who came to the restaurant with Pineda, tried to escape the premises with the suspect and threatened to shoot the patrons holding Pineda down. Cruz was charged with obstruction of justice in the case and was sentenced to three years in prison in October.
Pineda was also sentenced to five years of supervised release, but because of a previous immigration conviction, he will be deported to El Salvador immediately after serving his prison sentence.
According to Homicide Watch D.C., Pineda pleaded guilty to a charge of second degree murder while armed in October 2012 in advance of a scheduled trial as part of a plea agreement. Pineda could have faced a sentence of up to 26 years in prison.
The incident was the one recorded homicide in Borderstan in 2011, although a second homicide occurred just south of Borderstan.
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Crime news from the Dupont-Logan-U Street area.
From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is asking for assistance in locating a suspect in an armed robbery Thursday morning (Lunchtime Gun Robbery of Business at 11th and U NW). The suspect entered the Eleven Market at 1936 11th Street NW at about 10:45 am and showed a revolver to the cashier. He left with an undisclosed amount of money.
Surveillance footage, which police have posted to YouTube, shows the suspect entering the store and grabbing money from the cash register. The suspect is described as a white male, 20- to 30-years-old with short brown hair. During the robbery, he was wearing a green hooded jacket and jeans.
Anyone with information in the incident is asked to contact MPD at 202-727-9099. A reward of up to $10,000 is available for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
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Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.
DC Police reported a gun robbery at 12:51 pm today (Thursday, March 7) at 1936 11th Street NW, just south of U Street. The lookout is for a 30-year-old white male armed with a handgun; more details are below. According to the Tweet from DC Police, a business was robbed. Google Maps places the location as a small market south of Vinoteca, the Eleven Market.
It was the third second gun robbery in the area since February 23 — see Monday Night Gun Robbery, 1900 Block 12th Street NW and Saturday Morning Gun Robbery, 12th and U NW.
From the Police Alert: “Robbery Gun_1251 hours_1936 11th St, NW_LOF: W/M, 5’5″, 30 years of age, skinny build, wearing a green jacket & blue jeans, armed with a handgun. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20130103168.”
From the DC Police Twitter feed: “Robbery of Establishment (RHUG): 1900 B/O 11th St NW no reported injuries. LOF W/M, Green jacket and jeans armed with a gun. /37439.”
Police Alerts, More Information
You can sign up for alerts through Alert DC and get alerts by e-mail, cell phone, pager or wireless PDA. When signing up, you can select alerts on crime, transportation, utility outages/issues, government closings, breaking news, DC-sponsored events and Amber Alerts. You can follow the DC Police on Twitter @DCPoliceDept.
You can get more information about crime in the Borderstan area through the MPD listservs for the Second and Third Districts on Yahoo! Groups.
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Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.
DC Police reported a robbery with the use of a knife at 11:28 pm, Monday, January 28, at 11th and Q Streets NW. The lookout is for three men, according to the DC Police Twitter feed and Police Alert. More details are below.
Monday night’s robbery follows a similar incident Sunday night when two men committed a robbery with a knife on the 1600 block of 11th Street NW (11th Street between Q and R Streets).
From DC Police Alerts: “ROBBERY KNIFE 2328 HOURS 11TH & Q STREET NW LOOKOUT FOR (3) B/M’S SUSPECT (1) WEARING A SKI MASKS, RED COAT & BLACK JEANS, SUSPECT (2) WEARING A BLACK COAT AND BLUE JEANS, SUSPECT (3) WEARING A WHITE T SHIRT AND GRAY SWEAT PANTS AND DREADS DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT I20130043153, Sent on: 01/28 23:51”
From the DC Police Twitter feed: “Robbery Knife /11th & Q St NW /(3) B/M’s (1) red coat & blk jeans (2) blk coat & blue jeans (3) dreads white tshirt & gray sweat pants/6559”
Police Alerts, More Information
You can sign up for alerts through Alert DC and get alerts by e-mail, cell phone, pager or wireless PDA. When signing up, you can select alerts on crime, transportation, utility outages/issues, government closings, breaking news, DC-sponsored events and Amber Alerts. You can follow the DC Police on Twitter @DCPoliceDept.
You can get more information about crime in the Borderstan area through the MPD listservs for the Second and Third Districts on Yahoo! Groups.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.
DC Police reported a robbery with the use of a knife at 10:50 pm, Sunday, January 27, on the 1600 block of 11th Street NW (11th Street between Q and R). The location is on the same block as the Shaw Dog Park. The lookout is for two men in their early 20s, according to the DC Police Twitter feed and Police Alert. More details are below.
From DC Police Alerts: “3D Robbery Hold Up Knife _2250 hrs_1600 B/O 11th St NW_LOF 2 B/M’s, early 20’s, S-1: red shoes, white t-shirt, black ski pants, black jacket. S-2: red sweat pants, black North face jacket, colorful tennis shoes. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20130041672, Sent on: 01/27 23:28”
From the DC Police Twitter feed: “3D Rob knife/1600 11th St NW/LOF 2 B/M’s/S-1:red shoes, white shirt blk ski pants, jacket/S-2:red s.pants,blk N.face coat, colorful shoes/8607”
Police Alerts, More Information
You can sign up for alerts through Alert DC and get alerts by e-mail, cell phone, pager or wireless PDA. When signing up, you can select alerts on crime, transportation, utility outages/issues, government closings, breaking news, DC-sponsored events and Amber Alerts. You can follow the DC Police on Twitter @DCPoliceDept.
You can get more information about crime in the Borderstan area through the MPD listservs for the Second and Third Districts on Yahoo! Groups.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.
DC Police reported this morning, October 25, that a robbery with a knife occurred at 10:05 am at 11th and M Streets NW. On October 13, there was also a robbery with a knife at 10th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NW, and on October 7 there was a robbery with a gun at 11th and N Streets NW.
From the DC Police Alert:
“ROBBERY KNIFE_1005_11TH AND M STREET NW_LOF: B/M, TALL, THIN BUILD, WEARING A GRAY SWEAT SHIRT, BLUE JEANS DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/EVENT #I20120539230. Sent on: 10/25 10:08.”
You can sign up for alerts through Alert DC and get alerts by e-mail, cell phone, pager or wireless PDA. When signing up, you can select alerts on crime, transportation, utility outages/issues, government closings, breaking news, DC-sponsored events and Amber Alerts.
You can get more information about crime in the Borderstan area through the MPD listservs for the Second and Third Districts on Yahoo! Groups.
Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.
One of the suspects in the burglaries of Vinoteca. (Metropolitan Police Department)
DC Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying at least two suspects in connection with three burglaries of Vinoteca Wine Bar on the 1900 block of 11th Street NW. The burglaries occurred on Friday, August 3, Thursday, August 9, and Tuesday, August 14. The 1900 block of 11th Street is the first block south of U Street NW.
One suspect is described as a black male, late 40s to early 50s, wearing a dark short sleeve shirt, light colored shorts, light-colored sneakers with black tongues, and eyeglasses.
One of the suspects in the burglaries of Vinoteca. (Metropolitan Police Department)
The other suspect is described as a black male in his late teens to early 20s, wearing a light-colored T-shirt with partially visible lettering 4AR and dark-colored shorts.
Anyone with information about this case should call the police at (202) 727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line by text messaging 50411.
“Lincoln Temple UCC” is by thisisbossi from the Borderstan flickr pool.
From Luis Gomez. You can follow Luis on Twitter @LuisGomezPhotos and at One Photograph A Day.
Photos of the Day are pulled from the Borderstan Reader Photos pool on Flickr.
Today’s photo, “Lincoln Temple UCC,” was taken by thisisbossi on January 8, 2012. The Lincoln Temple United Church of Christ is at 1701 11th Street NW.
If you don’t already have a Flickr account, you will need to sign up for one, and then join the Borderstan Reader Photos group. Already a Flickr member? Join the group! You can submit up to five photos per day in the Borderstan reader pool. We are looking for photos from D.C.’s Dupont, Logan and U Street neighborhoods.
