A weekend afternoon at a Northwest D.C. pizza spot took a violent turn when a man allegedly choked one customer, pulled a knife on another and then ran off with a bottle of wine, according to police. The Metropolitan Police Department says the incident happened Saturday, April 4, at about 3:27 p.m. in the 1500 block of 7th Street NW. No arrests have been announced and investigators say the suspect is still on the loose.
How The Confrontation Unfolded
According to WJLA, an argument between two people inside the restaurant escalated until the suspect allegedly began choking one of the customers. When another patron stepped in to help, the man pulled out a knife and threatened that would-be Good Samaritan, the station reports.
An employee then pulled the intervening customer into a private area of the restaurant, according to WJLA. The suspect reportedly grabbed a bottle of wine on the way out and fled the scene.
Tips, Rewards And How To Reach Detectives
The Metropolitan Police Department is asking anyone who recognizes the man to contact detectives and notes that cash rewards may be available for information that helps close violent-crime cases. MPD materials list the department’s tip line at (202) 727-9099 and a text tip option at 50411.
The same materials state that MPD’s reward program can offer up to $10,000 for qualifying violent or robbery cases, if information leads to an arrest and conviction, according to MPD.
Police Photos Released With Appeal For Help
The WJLA report includes photos credited to the Metropolitan Police Department that are being used as part of the public appeal for tips. Officers have not released the suspect’s name, and police said the investigation is ongoing. As of the latest update, no charges have been announced, WJLA reported.
Were You In The Restaurant Or Nearby?
Anyone who was in or around the pizzeria at the time and has video, photos or information is urged not to approach the suspect, but instead to contact detectives or submit an anonymous tip through MPD’s tip line or CrimeSolvers. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward if their information leads to an arrest and conviction in the case, according to MPD.
