Crime & Safety

Takoma Park Man Arrested for Attempted Murder

The suspect nearly choked to death his victim.

Update 3 p.m.: Takoma Park is below the national average in violent crime such as first-degree assault and attempted murder, so it is not a common occurrence in the city, Takoma Park Crime Analyst Andrew Gucciardo said. Violent crime includes homicide, rape, robbery, and assault.

Beat T2, where Sunday's attempted murder happened has a high number of assaults due to disorderly patients that are restrained at Washington Adventist Hospital, Gucciardo said. Check here for the borders of the three police beats in Takoma Park.

"Often times the incidents involve incoherent or persons under the influence of drugs which escalates the problem," he said.

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Three of the assaults in 2010 were classified as attempted murders, according to Gucciardo.

There were no homicides in 2010. In T1, which encompasses Old Takoma, there were no rapes, 14 robberies and 14 assaults. In T2, which includes Flower Avenue from Piney Branch down to Washington Adventist Hopsital, there was one rape, nine robberies and 35 assaults. In T3, which includes the crossroads as well as Ethan Allen Avenue, had no rapes, 21 robberies and 39 assaults.

Find out what's happening in Takoma Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Original Story: A Takoma Park man was arrested Sunday for attempted first-degree murder after police discovered he nearly choked to death a woman from the 8200 block of Roanoke Avenue.

Marlon Jehovany Cruz Guzman, 27, was charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and second-degree assault, police said.

Around 4:45 p.m. police found a victim in a house on Roanoke Avenue was made who was visibly in great pain and fear.  Police determined some time after 4:00 p.m. an argument ensued between the victim and Guzman.  The argument became physical and Guzman struck the victim with a closed fist with on the right side of her face, police said.  Then Guzman then threw her down and began dragging her around the apartment by her hair. He threw the victim against a wall and continued to assault her, police said.

Then Guzman took the victim’s sweatshirt, tied it around her neck and began to choke her to a point where she almost lost consciousness.

The victim was transported to the Washington Adventist Hospital, treated and released, police said.


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