Roach ‘bombs’ cause townhouse explosion
An “excessive use of roach bombs” caused an explosion that rocked a townhouse in Southwest Washington, according to D.C. fire officials.
The explosion happened around 11 a.m. Monday. Fire officials believe chemicals from the roach bombs were ignited by a pilot light in the gas stove at a three-story townhouse at 1446 Fourth St. SW, D.C. fire department spokesman Pete Piringer said.
The blast blew out the windows in the front and rear of the building.
Rent-to-own operators charged in car scam
Two operators of a rent-to-own vehicle business were charged with wire fraud.
Prosecutors said Lemondes Williams, 51, of Baltimore, and Erica Brown, 28, of Laurel, took their clients to car rental agencies, negotiated a price and had the client sign the documents. But most of the time, the car was rented for only about two days without the victim’s knowledge, prosecutors said. The victim continued to make payments to Williams until the rental agency instructed the victims to return the car.
Williams and Brown face up to 20 years in prison.
D.C. police to open new evidence warehouse
D.C. police will announce the opening of its new state-of-the art evidence warehouse Tuesday.
Police decided to move more than 1 million items, including guns and drugs, after a report determined that the old warehouse was crumbling and the intake system was antiquated.
The new warehouse will be at 17 D.C. Village Lane SW.
– Scott McCabe
