Window washer falls, dies
A worker plummeted more than 50 feet to his death after a cable snapped while he was washing windows at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, authorities said.
Authorities have not identified the man, who appeared to be in his 30s, D.C. fire spokesman Alan Etter said. The man worked for a contractor hired by the Smithsonian. It was unclear whether the man’s safety harness failed or if the man had installed it improperly. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating what caused the fall. – Scott McCabe
Skateboarder hospitalized
A 6-year-old skateboarder was taken to the hospital in critical condition after he struck a truck on Cherry Avenue on Wednesday evening, Takoma Park police said.
The child was skateboarding downhill from an apartment parking lot at about 6:45 p.m. when he struck the back of a moving truck at the intersection of Sligo Creek Parkway, police said. – Scott McCabe
Dale City fugitive found
A Dale City man accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old family member last month was found hiding Wednesday in Houston, Prince William County police said Thursday. Wilfredo De Jesus Zelaya Portillo, 37, left the area last month as he faced charges of aggravated sexual battery, indecent liberties with a child by a custodian and rape, according to a police report. The Houston U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force traced Portillo to the home of a relative, and he is facing extradition to Virginia, police said. – Dan Genz
Tax preparer indicted
A Silver Spring man was indicted in a federal Maryland court on 17 counts of preparing false income tax returns, according to IRS agents.
Marcel J. Toto-Ngosso, 49, operated a tax preparation business out of his residence and helped fill out fraudulent tax returns on behalf of clients, according to the indictment. The returns contained false information about exemptions, tax deductions, credits and filing status.
Toto-Ngosso faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each of the 17 counts. – Scott McCabe
