While walking past a convenience store last  week, I noticed a sign that borderline panicked: “Get your vanilla cigarettes before they are banned!” The sign nearly inspired my non-smoking self into stockpiling like it was 1999, but it appears I am too late. The FDA has banned the sale of flavored tobacco, three months after President Barack Obama agreed to let the FDA regulate tobacco products. What’s so wrong with having a little “Warm Winter Toffee” with your lung cancer? According to the New York Times, 17-year-olds are three times more likely than those over 25 to smoke the flavored cigarettes.

There’s been a mysterious spike in shoplifting around Dupont Circle. One clerk told WJLA: “The kids have gotten out of control…don’t they have supervision?”

There was also some young and restless vigilante justice on U Street recently when three 20-somethings chased down a would-be mugger and tackled him in front of Nellie’s Sports Bar. A witness told the blog Borderstan: “I would not want to be that mugger when word gets around that he was turned into a bitch in front of cheering queens.” Smart? No. Awesome entertainment for U Street's tipsy hipsters (tongue twister...)? Undoubtedly.

There were three homicides in the District last weekend, in SW, SE and NE. All three victims were under the age of 20.

Arguably over-played Brooklyn Indie gods MGMT played a free concert on Sunday at KIA Warehouse - to get tickets, you had to test drive a KIA Soul. Eyewitness reports indicate people were lined up for hours to do just that, which doesn't explain all the teeny boppers in the audience...

The New York Times helpfully offers “5 Easy Steps to Stay Safe (and Private!) on Facebook." My personal favorite: “Keep your profile to friends only.” Great in theory, but how am I supposed to stalk other people? Should be replaced with: “Never, ever become friends with your parents.”

"At first, the slaying of Shahabuddin Rana, 44, inside his Pizza Mart in the 2300 block of Fourth Street NE appeared to have stemmed from a conventional robbery, police said. But they said a bizarre story took shape in the days afterward, leading to the arrest Friday of Shanika Robinson, 26, of Capitol Heights.

In an affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court, Detective Robert Cephas said a witness told him that Rana had been paying Robinson to continue in a sham marriage with his brother, a Pakistani national who helps run the Pizza Mart in the Edgewood neighborhood. The scheme was intended to improve the brother's immigration status and help him eventually get his green card, the affidavit says.

The deal fell apart, however, after the brother, whom police have not publicly identified, found out that Robinson "was having sexual affairs," Cephas wrote. Even though the brother and Robinson were married only on paper and did not live together, Rana "became upset" with Robinson and told her "that she would not be getting paid the money that they agreed upon anymore," the affidavit says."

City Desk has the affidavit which you can read [PDF].

In his affidavit, Detective Robert Cephas writes about the brutal crime scene:

"On Tuesday, August 18, 2009, at about 12:20 p.m. Officer Thompson of the Fifth District while on routine patrol was flagged down by a citizen who advised that a family member of the owner of the Pizza Mart, a carry out located at 2300 4th Street, N.E. Washington, D.C., had attempted to enter the store to locate the owner, but could not gain entry. Officer Thompson located the family member at the store. The relative advised Office Thompson that it had been trying to speak with the owner on the phone since the morning of August 18, 2009....Officer Thompson was able to enter the premises of the Pizza Mart with the assistance of pliers. Once inside he found the owner, Shahabuddin Rana, unconscious, on the floor, face down, in a pool of blood. There were burnt matches on his back and his body appeared to have been set afire. A hair was observed in his mouth. Additional hairs were recovered from the decedent's hand. Bloody objects which could have been used to beat the decedent were recovered from the scene. A receipt in the store indicated that the decedent was alive at 1:30 a.m. on August 18, 2009."

Erika Peters

WTOP reports that Joseph Randolph Mays was arrested for the triple homicide in Northeast yesterday. Mays is alleged to have killed Erika Peters and two of her children. Mays was Peters live-in boyfriend. The station writes:

"Police say Peters and one young boy were dead at the scene. The second young victim was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Police say Mays was found inside the apartment suffering from non-life threatening injuries. He was taken into police custody and treated at the hospital.

A third child was found unharmed and is now being cared for by Child Protective Services.

The homicide remains under investigation and anyone who has information about the case should call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-2746."

WJLA is reporting the news of the Mays arrest as well and goes on to describe the scene at the Carver Terrace Apartments:

"What began as a call for a disturbance in the 2000 block of Maryland Avenue in NE around 2:15 p.m Saturday quickly turned deadly. First responders referred to the scene as 'very disturbing' and 'gruesome.'"

2:37 Update: Here is the D.C. Police Department's press release on the Mays arrest:

"On Saturday, March 21, 2009, 44-year-old Joseph Randolph Mays was arrested and charged with three counts of Murder 1 While Armed.

Shortly after 1 p.m., on Saturday, March 21, 2009, members assigned to the Department's Fifth District responded to the 2000 block of Maryland Avenue, NE to investigate a call for service. Upon arrival, officers requested the assistance of D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel to provide forced entry into the location. Once inside of the location they discovered four victims suffering from apparent trauma to the body.

Victim #1 is identified as 37-year-old Erika Peters, who was pronounced dead on the scene.
Victim #2 who's identity is not being release because he is a juvenile, was pronounced dead on the scene.
Victim # 3 who's identity is not being release because he is a juvenile, was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. The victim was subsequently pronounced dead.

The suspect 44-year-old Joseph Randolph Mays was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He was treated and released into the custody of the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch.

This case remains under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1(888) 919-CRIM[E] (1-888-919-2746).

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia."

*photo courtesty of WJLA

Police are mounting a full-scale investigation after the brutal murder last night of an elderly couple in Chevy Chase, D.C.

The victims, identified as Dr. Michael Spevak and Virginia Spevak, had been bound and brutalized after an apparent break-in. Their car—a 2005 blue Toyota Scion—was discovered this morning around 5 a.m. in the 500 block of Ingraham Street, NW, swathed in flames.

More below the jump, including photos, updates, and the official police statement.

From police spokesperson Traci Hughes:

For Immediate Release
November 23, 2008
Homicide in the 5000 block of Belt Road, NW

The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating a homicide which occurred in the 5000 block of Belt Road, NW .

At approximately 8:30 PM, members of the Second District responded to 5000 block of Belt Road, NW, for a radio assignment to check on the welfare of two residents.

Upon their arrival, authorities located Dr. Michael Spevak, age 68, and Virginia Spevak, age 67. Both victims were pronounced dead on the scene by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The victims’ remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pending autopsy to determine cause of death.

On Sunday, November 23, 2008, at approximately 5 AM, the victims’ 2005 Toyota Scion bearing DC Tag CB5335 was recovered in the 500 block of Ingraham St. NW. The vehicle had been set on fire.

This case remains under investigation by detectives from the department’s Homicide and Sexual Offenses Branch. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIM [E].

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC Crime Solvers at 1-800-673-2777 and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Brian Nelson, City Paper's Network Administrator, wrote the following to me in an email this morning:

An officer knocked on our door at 4:30am this morning looking for any witnesses. The fire dept had just put out a burning car in our alley (Between 7th and 5th/Hamilton and Ingraham NW) which had been involved in a double homicide in 2D.... They've since towed the car.

By the time I arrived to take photos this afternoon, all that remained was the rubble you're seeing: shards of class, springs and sprockets toasted to a crisp, melted wiring, tire vestiges seared into the cement. The blaze was hot enough to melt a nearby trash can.

Updates forthcoming.