2 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio 8/5/17:
 

Police seek suspect in several upskirting cases at Columbia Heights Metro

 

Metro Transit police need help identifying a man suspect of sexually abusing a woman at the Columbia Heights metro station and taking upskirt photos of several other victims. (Courtesy MTPD)

WASHINGTON — Metro Transit police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man they say sexually abused a woman at the Columbia Heights Metro station and took upskirt photos of several other unsuspecting female victims.

 

On Thursday, a woman reported that she had felt a hand up her skirt while on the ascending escalator of the Metro station at 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday. The woman left the area and the suspect returned into the station, according to a news release from Metro Transit Police.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

WMATA news release 8/4/17:

 

Metro Transit Police investigating sexual abuse/voyeurism incidents at Columbia Heights Station

 

Metro Transit Police detectives are seeking the public's assistance to identify a person of interest in multiple incidents of voyeurism (upskirting) and at least one reported sexual abuse incident that occurred at Columbia Heights Metrorail Station on Wednesday evening.

 

Yesterday afternoon, an adult female contacted Transit Police via Metro's online harassment reporting system. The victim reported that she was exiting Columbia Heights Station using the ascending escalator at approximately 7:40 p.m. Wednesday when she felt a hand up her skirt. The victim left the area, while the suspect returned into the station.

 

Detectives immediately contacted the victim to gather additional information and offer support.

 

Overnight, using information provided by the victim, investigators were able to find the incident on video and obtain images of the suspect. The review of video footage revealed that the suspect actually placed a cell phone up the victim's skirt.

 

Disturbingly, the investigation has also revealed that there are several additional female victims who are likely unaware that they were "upskirted" by the suspect.

 

Following these developments, MTPD immediately added plain clothes officers at Columbia Heights and other stations to attempt to locate the suspect and the other victims. Those investigative efforts will continue while MTPD seeks public assistance.

 

MTPD detectives are seeking to identify the individual pictured above. Anyone who can identify this individual is urged to call the MTPD Criminal Investigations Division at 301-955-5000 or send a text message to MyMTPD (696873).

 

Additionally, MTPD detectives are seeking to contact other potential victims who exited the Metrorail system at Columbia Heights Station on Wednesday evening. At this time, detectives believe the unsuspecting victims exited using the west escalators (the bank of three escalators and one staircase, located to the left when exiting the station). All victims were females and all were wearing skirts. Anyone who believes they may be a victim in this case should contact the MTPD Criminal Investigations Division at 301-955-5000.

 

[CNJRoss]

WMATA news release 8/8/17:

 

Metro Transit Police arrest suspect wanted for sexual abuse and voyeurism at Columbia Heights Station

 

Metro Transit Police today arrested Brandon Lynn Williams, 19, of Forestville, Md., on an initial charge of misdemeanor sexual abuse that occurred last week at the Columbia Heights Metrorail Station.

 

Last Thursday afternoon, the victim, an adult female, contacted Transit Police via Metro's online harassment reporting system. The victim reported that she was exiting Columbia Heights Station Wednesday evening using the ascending escalator at approximately 7:50 p.m. when she felt a hand up her skirt. The victim immediately left the area, while the suspect returned into the station.

 

Detectives immediately contacted the victim to gather additional information and offer support. MTPD also deployed casual-clothes officers at Columbia Heights and other stations in an attempt to locate the suspect and other potential victims.

 

Using information provided by the victim, investigators were able to find the incident on video and obtain images of the suspect. The review of video footage revealed that the suspect placed a cell phone up the victim's skirt.

 

On Friday morning, a "be on the lookout" notice (BOLO) was issued by MTPD. Based on an anonymous tip from the public, investigators quickly identified the suspect as Williams. Over the weekend, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Prince George's County. Multiple electronic devices were seized by MTPD detectives, including cell phones, computers, and hard drives.

 

To date, multiple other victims have been identified and contacted by Metro Transit Police investigators. However, there are still potentially dozens of female victims who are unaware that Williams took "upskirt" photos of them while on an escalator. Several incidents known to investigators occurred at Columbia Heights Station Wednesday evening (August 2, 2017) on the ascending escalator located on the west side of 14th Street NW. The suspect is also believed to have been at the Columbia Heights and U Street Metrorail stations the following day, Thursday, August 3. All of the victims were females wearing skirts.

 

MTPD detectives are interested in speaking with anyone who believes they may be a victim in this matter. To reach the MTPD Criminal Investigations Division, call 301-955-5000, text "MyMTPD" (696873), or use Metro's online harassment portal at wmata.com/harassment.

 

The investigation into this case remains active, and additional charges are likely.