The search is on for a group of suspects involved in the assault of a special police officer over the weekend in Southeast D.C. According to a statement by the Metropolitan Police Department, the incident occurred Saturday morning when a Special Police Officer (SPO) confronted the individuals attempting to leave a grocery store without paying for merchandise.
The confrontation took place at approximately 9:26 a.m. in a store located on the 400 block of 14th Street, Southeast. As the SPO, tasked with security at the commercial establishment, approached the suspects to intervene, the situation escalated to physical violence, as per the Metropolitan Police Department. The assailants, however, managed to flee before police officers from the First District could respond to the scene, thus creating an urgent need for community assistance in their identification.
Images of the suspects have been released to the public in hopes that someone will recognize them. The department is offering a financial incentive, with a reward of up to $1,000, leading to an arrest and indictment. Those with information can reach out discreetly, either by calling the MPD at (202) 727-9099 or sending a text to the Department's TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.
