Arrests Made for Attempted Murder

Police have two men in custody after one allegedly tried to kill a Mogotillo’s Restaurant security officer with a machete.

The two men were arrested Sunday for attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, resisting arrest, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, possession of a concealed deadly weapon and possession of marijuana, Takoma Park Police said.

Elder Molina-Umana, 23, of Hyattsville and Antoni Rivas-Melendez, 24, of Glen Dale are being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

Around 1:46 a.m. Sunday morning, a Takoma Park Police Gang Investigator was at Mogotillo’s Restaurant in the 7600 block of New Hampshire Ave. after receiving information about increased gang activity, police said.

While at the restaurant, the officer observed a male, later identified as the restaurant’s security officer, running from the front of the restaurant toward the
parking lot, police said.  The security officer was being chased by Molina-Umana with a machete.

The officer identified himself to Molina-Umana and ordered him to drop his weapon.  He dropped the machete and fled, police said. Molina-Umana was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit.
Further investigation revealed that a second suspect, Rivas-Melendez, also attempted to assault the security officer. He was found to be in possession of a butterfly-style knife as well as a small amount of marijuana.  

The security officer said he told the two suspects they couldn't leave the restaurant with an open container of alcohol. The suspects became angry and left, but after a short amount of time they returned to fight the security guard, police said. Rivas-Melendez charged at the security guard with fists raised and was pepper-sprayed by the guard. Molina-Umana then brandished a machete and struck the security officer in the head causing a non-life threatening injury, police said.
Both suspects are affiliated with a gang, police said.