2 arrested in machete assault on Takoma Park security guard

<br/><small><a href=”http://maps.google.com/maps?q=7600+New+Hampshire+Avenue,+Takoma+Park,+MD&amp;hl=en&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=36.315864,76.904297&amp;vpsrc=0&amp;hnear=7600+New+Hampshire+Ave,+Takoma+Park,+Maryland+20912&amp;t=m&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hq=&amp;ll=38.9859,-76.988153&amp;spn=0.013343,0.01708&amp;z=14&amp;iwloc=A&amp;source=embed” style=”color:#0000FF;text-align:left”>View Larger Map</a></small></div> <p>A restaurant security guard in Takoma Park was struck in the head with a machete after he told two men they couldn’t leave with an open alcohol container.</p> <p>Police said two men have been arrested in the attack, which happened at about 1:45 a.m. Sunday at Mogotillo’s Restaurant on the <a href=”http://maps.google.com/maps?q=7600+New+Hampshire+Avenue,+Takoma+Park,+MD&amp;hl=en&amp;ll=38.985933,-76.988196&amp;spn=0.017413,0.037551&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=36.315864,76.904297&amp;vpsrc=6&amp;hnear=7600+New+Hampshire+Ave,+Takoma+Park,+Maryland+20912&amp;t=m&amp;z=15″>7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue</a>.</p> <p>A police officer was in the area because of reports of increased gang activity in the neighborhood when he say the security officer being chased by a man wielding a machete in the restaurant parking lot, according to Takoma Park police.</p> <p>Police said the officer ordered the man to drop his machete. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Elder Molina-Umana, of Hyattsville, complied, then fled on foot. He was apprehended after a brief chase.</p> <p>Police said Molina-Umana and 24-year-old Antoni Rivas-Melendez, of Glenn Dale, became angry when the security guard told them they couldn’t leave with the alcohol. They left, then returned a short time later and engaged in the fight.</p> <p>Police said Molina-Umana and Rivas-Melendez have been charged with attempted murder, assault and other related offenses.</p>