College Park police present April crime totals; first homicide of year closed with arrest

Assistant Division Chief Caletti reported April crime statistics to the City of College Park council and described several active investigations, including the city's first homicide of the year, arrests in a robbery case, and multiple assaults and vehicle-related thefts.

Caletti gave a monthwide tally and said, "We had 1 commercial robbery, 1 residential robbery, 1 citizen robbery, 4 assaults, 9 other thefts, 6 theft from autos, and 9, auto thefts." He said the department used the Citi camera system and speed cameras to help investigators and that Montgomery County Police took the lead on the homicide probe. "We had our first homicide in the city this, this year," Caletti said, and added, "I believe this is gonna be domestic related." He reported the homicide occurred in the 9000 block of 50th Place, that the victim was dropped off at White Oak Hospital, and that investigators executed a corridor search warrant and arrested an involved individual.

Caletti described three robbery incidents in April: a citizen armed robbery on April 6 in the 5000 block of Burwin Road during which multiple suspects displayed handguns and the victim complied; an arrest was made in that case and the arrested suspect is a 17-year-old the department identified as part of a group it calls the "bullseye crew." He said the crew typically steals credit cards and uses them to buy gift cards at retail stores. A commercial incident in the 7300 block of Baltimore Avenue began as shoplifting and escalated to robbery when force was used; Caletti said that suspect remains under investigation. He also said a residential armed robbery in the 9800 block of 40 Seventh Place is under investigation after suspects forced entry and fled with property.

Caletti summarized two separate assault incidents in which a single suspect attacked employees at a 7-Eleven in the 7200 block of Baltimore Avenue and later at a business the transcript identifies as "Play of Balls" in the 4500 block of College Avenue. He said contract officers located and apprehended the suspect a few blocks away and that the person appears to have been suffering from a mental-health crisis; Caletti said the suspect "...was charged with second-degree" offenses related to the attacks.

On vehicle crime and quality-of-life issues, Caletti presented a heat map showing noise complaints and parking-lot thefts concentrated along the Baltimore Avenue corridor, with increased activity in Hollywood and Old Town. He reported 20 field interviews in April and described an area pattern: more thefts and auto-related crimes around nighttime parking areas.

Caletti reviewed contract officer staffing for College Park, noting the contract currently provides about "15 and a half FTE". He said the usual staffing pattern is three officers on duty for each day/evening/late shift on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and two officers per shift on most other nights, with exceptions for planned events and to address short-term trends. He also said the city typically adds one extra officer for Tuesday night council meetings and pursues additional up-staffing near end-of-school events when student parties increase calls for service.

Council members asked for additional context and follow-up actions. Council Member Mackie asked whether the monthly statistics could be summarized across multiple years so residents can see trends; Mackie said, "Is there any way of getting a hold of any kind of data that I could possibly show him?" Caletti replied he would consult James (the department data analyst) about producing a multi-month or multi-year summary and suggested limiting how many years are analyzed. Mackie also raised a constituent complaint about perceived high speeds on Saint Andrews Place; Caletti described options including short radar studies, a ride-along with patrol staff so the resident can observe radar readings, and relocating a variable message sign (VMS) to the corridor to display speed or enforcement messages.

No formal votes or ordinance actions were taken during the police report segment. Caletti said he would follow up with the data analyst about trend charts and coordinate enforcement or public-information steps for the Saint Andrews complaint. Council members and the mayor repeatedly thanked contract officers and Prince George's County Police for their work.

The department noted a recurring enforcement theme: while residents often think crime peaks on weekends, Caletti said some violent crimes occur earlier in the week and that staffing decisions are guided by historical patterns and event calendars.

Follow-ups reported at the meeting: Caletti will speak with the city data analyst about producing two- or three-year trend summaries and will coordinate any requested short-term radar monitoring or ride-along opportunities related to the Saint Andrews speeding complaint.