Today’s crime roundup includes MPD’s lousy year, a murder suspect on the loose, a PCP-crazed child kidnapper, and an international drug ring smuggling heroin through Dulles. more ›

UPDATE: Wow. ABC7 now reports that the person arrested by police is the unidentified 27-year-old woman who survived the attack. According to that report, police believe she caused her own wounds after killing Murray inside the store on March 11. more ›

An 11-year-old girl was raped Tuesday night by two men who approached her at a park in Silver Spring and then brought her to a nearby apartment, Montgomery County Police said today. The girl reported the assault to her mother immediately after it took place, and two suspects were arrested shortly thereafter, police said. Officers found the men, Melquicide Sorto, 31, and Marcos Torres-Enriquez, 20, both of the 8700 block of Carroll Avenue in Silver Spring, inside the apartment where the girl said the rape had occurred. The suspects have been charged with one count of second-degree rape each. The girl was examined at a local hospital and released. more ›

Via the Washington Post's Crime Scene blog, word that Prince William and Fairfax police say they have DNA evidence that connects the Halloween rapes of two teenage girls in Dale City to an alleged serial rapist who is suspected in at least a dozen other sexual assaults up and down the East Coast. The rapes span from 1997 to this year, with "at least four rapes in Fairfax County between 1999 and 2001, several in Prince George's County, one in Leesburg and several in Rhode Island and Connecticut." We'll update on this when more information becomes available. more ›

Both Fox 5 and WJLA picked up a story about a D.C. fire captain who stands accused of raping a friend of his daughter. Court documents show that a 23-year-old woman has filed rape charges against Capt. Tony Sneed, a 20-year veteran of the DCFD. The victim alleges that she passed out at a party at Sneed's daughter's house wearing a T-shirt and shorts, and woke up wearing only the T-shirt. Much of the evidence against Sneed appears to be text messages sent back and forth between him and his accuser: the woman texted him to ask why she was "so sore 'down there,'" and Sneed responded with, "I remember massaging your body trying to get you to relax a little. Maybe I got a little carried away." Sneed has been suspended with pay until the court case is resolved. more ›

NBC4 reports that a woman was assaulted and raped last night at Beach Drive and Connecticut Ave. in Rock Creek Park. The woman was jogging in a wooded area between 7:45 and 9:30 p.m. when a man grabbed her from behind, dragged her into the woods and raped and physically assaulted her. The woman tried to flag down a passing motorist for help, but was unsuccessful, so she went home, at which point she was driven to the hospital. She remains there today for treatment to trauma to her face, neck and shoulders, in addition to the sexual assault. As always, reports of attacks like this should be taken very seriously. Be vigilant and extra aware of your surroundings. And if you have any information the police may find useful and catching this man, please call 240-773-5070. more ›

Police are searching for a suspect in the rape of a woman Tuesday night near the Upper County Pool and Recreation Center in Gaithersburg. The Examiner says the victim had been taking a walk when a black male described as in his 40s, approximately 6'3", wearing a black shirt and black shorts pulled her into a wooded area and raped her. Montgomery County police did not find the suspect after a subsequent search. Anyone with information is asked to call 240-773-5070. more ›

Criminy, this news from the Examiner is unsettling. On Monday, D.C. police arrested Edwin K. Wright, 23, on charges of sexually assaulting three women in a single hour in downtown Washington. Wright was detained by a group of citizens after the third incident, when he tried to rape a woman outside a K Street office building. more ›

Back in February we were alarmed by reports of a man in Prince George's County who was using Craigslist to lure rape victims to various locations in the county. The Post reports that the man suspected of committing these crimes killed himself during a standoff with police yesterday. The suspect, Mark Antonio Humphries, 33, of the 4100 block of Suitland Road of Suitland, shot himself in the head after police began setting up a barricade outside a Hyattsville apartment where they believed he was hiding. He was pronounced dead later at a nearby hospital. more ›

According to the Examiner, there's a been a recent surge in the number of rapes and attempted rapes in the District, and now police think several of them may be the work of the same man. more ›

Considering online dating? The stigma of online personal ads has certainly waned in recent years, and giving it a shot has worked out really well for many D.C. area residents we know. But a story from NBC4 makes the whole concept sound a lot more harrowing than just being worried someone's picture might make them look 20 pounds lighter than they actually are. more ›

Good Morning, D.C. Remember the news we told you about back in August, about an investigation into a potential prostitution ring at D.C. firehouses? Well D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin acknowledged yesterday under fire from the D.C. Council that "sex for overtime" allegations in his department are "potentially true." The Council also expressed concern about the abnormally high rate of disciplinary action against African American firefighters in the department. African Americans were the subjects of... more ›

In the department of that sounds completely and utterly effed up, via Feministing, a 19 year-old woman who attends Howard University is suing the District, Howard University Hospital and GW Hospital after being denied treatment on the night of and morning after her rape because she "appeared intoxicated." The GW Hatchet reports that the woman says that during an off-campus party near Howard in December 2006, the plaintiff was given a date-rape drug that rendered... more ›

There's so much going on across the Ist-a-Verse that it's almost impossible to keep track these days. Fortunately, we do it so you don't have to! Londonist took a walk through Oliver Twist's London, thanks to a gorgeous map layer for Google Earth. They also caught up with modern-day fictional London, with the Fantastic Four and 28 Weeks Later. It was a week of insanity over at DCist. They started the week off with... more ›

Dear Hillary Clinton and Dick Cheney: feel free to do embarrassing things in public today. D.C.'s celebrity (and we use that term loosely) photogs are probably following around real celebs -- well, at least Angelina Jolie. Yesterday the Examiner gave us the heads-up on a litany of famous-outside-the-Beltway folks traipsing around town this week. So if you're a little tired of running into Nicolas Cage filming National Treasure 2, keep your eyes peeled for these... more ›

FRIDAY: more ›

D.C. Cops are asking for your help in catching a man they say raped a woman in an alley on April 4. The attack happened in the 1300 block of G St., NE as the victim was taking her daughter to dinner. The 33-year-old woman was forced into the alley at knife point by two men. One man held her three-year-old daughter while the other man sexually assaulted her. Afterwards the men fled the scene. more ›

Spring appears to have, er, sprung, at least temporarily, in most of the Ist-A-Verse, so naturally, we're all feeling pretty good. (Yes, we know that spring doesn't officially start till later this month. Just let us enjoy our weather!) And that makes us that much more eager to share all of the nifty things we're up to... Over at Sampaist, spring has more than sprung: it's sweltering! But, as everyone knows, museums are an ideal... more ›

Rape is an inarguably powerful subject matter for drama. Throw in the fact that one particular rape was, according to legend, responsible for the fall of the Roman empire, and you've got quite the weighty subject for a play on your hands. more ›

As reportedly happened during the Kirov Opera's visit to Washington last year, the best performance of the group's residency this week at the Kennedy Center was saved for last. On Sunday afternoon, conductor Valery Gergiev led a concert performance of Dmitri Shostakovich's modern opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk that was an incendiary triumph. Combined with the three evenings of Shostakovich's chamber music from the Emerson Quartet on my schedule this week, the Russian composer's... more ›

, a story of lonely, middle-aged people coming together (Feb. 23)...and that's about it. We may be a cynical, single city, indeed. more ›

The magic word this week is opera, and just taking in all of the opera performances on the schedule is going to keep you busy. You will find options other than opera after the jump. PLEASURES OPERATIC: >> After Rossini's Il Viaggio a Reims this weekend, the Kirov Opera will perform Verdi's Falstaff on Wednesday (January 31, 7:30 p.m.), Friday (February 2, 7:30 p.m.), and Saturday (February 3, 7:30 p.m.) in the Kennedy Center Concert... more ›

Good morning, Washington -- it's Friday! Rejoice in all that start-of-the-weekend goodness. And note that on this date in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first earthlings to walk on the moon. In their honor, go check out the Apollo to the Moon exhibit at the Air and Space Museum and see their spacesuits or touch a moon rock. Suitcase Forgotten, Results in Union Station Closure: WTOP notes that last night around 8... more ›

In a media-heavy city like Washington, one might pay heed to the Chicago Tribune's story from yesterday afternoon announcing that a senior law enforcement official told ABC News, "It's time for you to get some new cell phones, quick," in reference to the government's tracking of calls with whistleblowers and other confidential sources. Makes you wish that Qwest expanded their service to the news media, if not the entire country, right? Williams Endorses Cropp:... more ›

Good morning, Washington. It looks like today's going to be sunny and warm, leading into a generally pleasant-sounding weekend. Hurrah! Now for some unpleasant-sounding news...

Maryland Electricity Prices Likely To Increase: NBC4 is reporting that this summer's utility bills are likely to contain a nasty surprise for Maryland customers. Rising gas, coal and oil prices could lead to a 1/3 to 3/4 increase for as many as 1.6 million consumers. Don't gloat, Virginians: according to the article, you may be facing the same situation next year when current rate freezes expire. D.C. utilities will presumably remain as affordable, reliable and all-around delightful as ever.

Dangerous Dogs In Va.: Yesterday marked one year from the day that a Spotsylvania woman was killed in front of her house by three loose pit bulls. And strangely enough, it also brought two new dog-attack stories. First, a pit bull was shot by police in Falls Church after biting two people. Second, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a new law increasing penalties for owners of dogs involved in serious attacks.

Navy QB Faces Rape Charges: Naval Academy MVP Lamar Owens is accused of forcing himself upon a 22 20 year-old midshipman while she was intoxicated, according to the Post. Owens' defense seems to have been significantly weakened by the prosecution's recording of a phone call in which he confessed to the victim and expressed his contrition. And WTOP reports that Owens' legal situation might be even worse than first reported: he may now also face charges related to the violation of a previous order requiring him to stay away from the alleged victim. The next hearing in the case won't occur until April 3.

Briefly Noted: Maryland changes back from touchscreen voting machines to paper ballots... More squabbling among P.G. County firefighters... Winston Churchill named honorary Virginian... String of robberies targets N.W. cabdrivers... $100k lottery prize remains unclaimed...

Image posted to DCist Photos by easement.

Good morning, Washington. Sorry for the delay in the morning roundup this a.m. - we were too busy trying to catch Butterstick break the cuteness barrier, yet again. Also, we're kind of rusty at this whole thing; it's been a while. This photo was posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user rev_bri; it's of protestors at the new day laborer center that just opened in Herndon. The Post has the story about the tensions... more ›

Shalom, readers. The Washington, D.C. area welcomes competing Jewish Literature Festivals to town: The Hyman S. and Freda Bernstein Jewish Literary Festival at the DCJCC and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington’s 36th Annual Book Festival. Both festivals offer exciting programs. On 16th Street, the DCJCC kicks things off Monday with Nick Olcott, one of the leading lights in the local theater scene, paying special tribute to Arthur Miller and Saul Bellow. It continues... more ›

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width="512" height="285"/>

Good morning, D.C. The weather for the weekend href="http://www.weather.com/activities/other/other/weather/weekend.html?locid=20001&from=36hr_topnav_undeclared">looks
like it couldn't be better, with a beautiful Friday turning into a
pleasant Saturday, then transitioning into a Sunday that you won't feel bad
about wasting on hungover football watching. We can't wait — "God
bless the Indian Summer" and all that. How are you planning on
spending what might be the last warm weekend of the year?

Flu Shots Delayed: The Post href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/02/AR2005110202834.html">reports
that, for the second year in a row, flu shots are hard to come by. As
a result, clinics and other vaccine-purveyors are delaying shots for
low risk patients. But officials href="http://www.nbc4.com/health/5239910/detail.html">maintain
that there will be plenty of this year's vaccine, and that the delays
are simply due to new distribution and safety protocols put into place
after last year's shortages.

Bull Semen Stolen: Frederick resident Eric Fleming returned to his farm on
Sunday and found that someone had stolen $75,000 worth of frozen
genetic material. The thief made off with "straws" representing
between forty and fifty bulls. Fleming is offering a reward, so if
you encounter a bull semen vendor who seems more suspicious than
your usual guy, be sure to contact the appropriate authorities.

Nats Trade Castilla: Their ownership may still be
in flux, but the Nats' third base situation has just become clearer,
according
to WJLA. In a trade with the Padres, the Nats have obtained the
services of pitcher HREF="http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=400147">Brian
Lawrence in exchange for HREF="http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=112106">Vinny
Castilla. The 38-year-old Castilla probably doesn't mind the
trade; he was facing the prospect of losing his starting spot to
rising star Ryan
Zimmerman.

Briefly Noted: Examiners say cause of Behl's death
likely
to remain unknown... Area deer HREF="http://www.wtop.com/index.php?nid=25&sid=612111">continue
their assault on retailers... BRAC HREF="http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1105/274640.html">won't
hold any more meetings... Man HREF="http://www.wtop.com/index.php?nid=25&sid=611971">sentenced
for knowingly spreading HIV... PG County teacher HREF="http://www.wusatv9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=44170">arrested
for rape... So has a Merrifield teen, for Dunn Loring Metro attacks...

Image of a Ballston sunset by Flickr user HREF="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigmikenyc/">BigMikeNYC

Good morning, D.C. This lovely shot of three converging bridges was posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user commonroman. As you can see, these bridges are in considerably better shape than the Eastern Avenue Bridge. Yesterday morning it was struck by a overly tall backhoe being hauled by a truck. Officials initially warned that repairs would take at least 48 hours, but are now saying the job may be completed more quickly than first expected. The bridge's service lanes are open to traffic, but motorists are being encouraged to avoid the area if they can.

DMV Office May Reopen: Just hours after reporting that the agency's K Street office was going to be permanently shuttered, the Post tells us that Director Anne Witt may have changed her mind. All or part of the building may be reopened, either to wind down operations or to continue to offer services to the public. Nobody seems sure what's going to happen, but motorists with future hearings scheduled at the in-limbo office will get word of what to do sometime next week. Oh, and in case you haven't heard, those with hearings this week are officially off the hook.

Day Laborers Killed: Two men are dead and a third is in critical condition after a morning stabbing at a Langley Park site where day laborers congregate. It's not clear whether the men were fighting each other or attacked by someone else. Either way, the stabbings seem likely to become a part of the larger controversy surrounding such workers. Day laborers have been in the news lately due to a proposed center for them in Herndon. Tensions are high — WMAL recently whipped its listeners into a frenzy of angry phone calls over the issue.

ESPN Lobbying Pays Off: We've mentioned ESPN's 50 States in 50 Days campaign before — a travelling celebration of local sports from which the District was conspicuously excluded. That prompted Mayor Williams and others to contact the network. Now it looks like their efforts have paid off: Sportscenter will broadcast from the Capitol on September 5.

Briefly Noted: MoCo stabbing arrests now total eleven... Panda cub is thriving... Rape charges against WMATA officer dropped... Muslim woman harassed in Arlington...

It is a sad morning for news professionals and news junkies here in the District, as it was reported late last night that ABC "World News Tonight" anchor Peter Jennings has died after a struggle with lung cancer. "Peter has been our colleague, our friend, and our leader in so many ways," ABC News President David Westin said in a statement. "None of us will be the same without him." more ›