News Flash

This edition of the Laurel Living Newsletter opens with a look at the City Council’s swearing-in ceremony as members take the oath of office for the new term. We also take you inside our Youth Drone Program, where students are preparing for their December certification exams. Join us in celebrating a major milestone for the City of Laurel’s Communications Department who has been recognized with a Maryland Municipal League E-Government Award for the Laurel Living newsletter. And finally, City Administrator Christian Pulley sits down for a candid conversation about her leadership role and the professional journey that shaped her path.  Download today!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 Juvenile Arrested in Major Theft from Auto Case 

May 28, 2025

 Laurel Police Detectives have arrested a 16-year-old male in a multijurisdictional theft from auto investigation. He was taken into custody during an early morning search warrant at his residence in Beltsville, MD. He will face charges of motor vehicle theft and multiple thefts from automobiles.

 This individual is linked to over 100 thefts from vehicles that occurred on May 4, 2025, in the city Laurel and surrounding areas. The suspect was found with the keys to the stolen vehicle used in these crimes, as well as keys to 25 other vehicles and several stolen items. Investigators will be working to identify the owners of the stolen property and reunite them with their belongings.

 This investigation is ongoing, and the Laurel Police Department and our law enforcement partners are fully committed to identifying every individual involved and ensuring they are held accountable.

 We commend the Laurel Police Department’s Community Action Team and Criminal Investigations Detectives for their outstanding efforts.   Their investigative work and commitment to public safety have played a critical role in protecting our community. We would also like to thank our partner agencies, the Howard County Police Department, the Anne Arundel County Police Department, and the Prince George’s County Police department for their dedication.  

 We encourage anyone with any information, or who may have witnessed these events, to contact us at 301-498-0092, or anonymous tips can also be sent to LPDtips@laurel.md.us.  

 Media Inquiries: Please contact Laura Guenin, Public Information Officer, Laurel Police Department at 240-278-0758 or email lguenin@laurel.md.us. 

The Laurel Police Department Arrest Suspect in Homicide Case

The Laurel Police Department arrested and charged Noe Manrique Garcia-Umanzor, 19 years old, of Temple Hills, Maryland, in connection with the recent homicide of 31-year-old Ovidio Arnoldo Zecena-Mateo, of Laurel, Maryland. He has been charged with charged with first degree murder and other related criminal charges.

Detectives from the Laurel Police Criminal Investigations Division identified Garcia- Umanzor as a suspect in the shooting death of Ovidio Zecena-Mateo that took place on April 1, 2025.

This is an ongoing investigation, and we encourage anyone with any information, or who may have witnessed this event, to please contact The Laurel Police Department at 301-498-0092, or anonymous tips can also be sent to LPDtips@laurel.md.us.  

 Media Inquiries: Please contact Laura Guenin, Public Relations, Laurel Police Department at 240-278-0758 or email lguenin@laurel.md.us.  

Dario Villard, 53 years old, of Laurel, Maryland, is dead after a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a domestic shooting that took place in Laurel.

 On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at approximately 10:11 P.M., officers responded to the 14200 block of Westmeath Drive, Laurel, Maryland, for the report of a shooting.   Upon arrival officers located a female victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.   Officers immediately rendered lifesaving aid until she was transported to a local hospital where she is in critical but stable condition.  Investigators began searching for the suspect who fled the home in his vehicle prior to officers’ arrival.    

 At approximately 7:55 A.M. on Thursday, August 29, 2024, the vehicle connected to this domestic incident was located in Montgomery County, Maryland with the suspect inside suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The suspect was also involved in a fatal shooting in Montgomery County that took place shortly before he took his own life.   

 This is an ongoing investigation, and we encourage anyone with any information, or who may have witnessed this event, to please contact The Laurel Police Department at 301-498-0092, or anonymous tips can also be sent to LPDtips@laurel.md.us.  

 If you or anyone you know is suffering from domestic abuse we encourage you to seek help.  The 24 hour 7 days a week National Domestic Abuse hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Media Inquiries:  Please contact Laura Guenin, Public Relations, Laurel Police Department at 240-278-0758 or email lguenin@laurel.md.us.  Any questions regarding the incident that took place in Rockville should be directed the Shiera Goff in the Public Information Office for the Montgomery County Police Department.  

 NOTE: THIS IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF ALL POLICE-RELATED ACTIVITY FOR THE CITY OF LAUREL FOR THE DATES POSTED

NOTE: THIS IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF ALL POLICE-RELATED ACTIVITY FOR THE CITY OF LAUREL FOR THE DATES POSTED

NOTE: THIS IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF ALL POLICE-RELATED ACTIVITY FOR THE CITY OF LAUREL FOR THE DATES POSTED

This edition of the Laurel Living Newsletter opens with a look at the City Council’s swearing-in ceremony as members take the oath of office for the new term. We also take you inside our Youth Drone Program, where students are preparing for their December certification exams. Join us in celebrating a major milestone for the City of Laurel’s Communications Department who has been recognized with a Maryland Municipal League E-Government Award for the Laurel Living newsletter. And finally, City Administrator Christian Pulley sits down for a candid conversation about her leadership role and the professional journey that shaped her path.  Download today!

Dario Villard, 53 years old, of Laurel, Maryland, is dead after a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a domestic shooting that took place in Laurel.

 On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at approximately 10:11 P.M., officers responded to the 14200 block of Westmeath Drive, Laurel, Maryland, for the report of a shooting.   Upon arrival officers located a female victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.   Officers immediately rendered lifesaving aid until she was transported to a local hospital where she is in critical but stable condition.  Investigators began searching for the suspect who fled the home in his vehicle prior to officers’ arrival.    

 At approximately 7:55 A.M. on Thursday, August 29, 2024, the vehicle connected to this domestic incident was located in Montgomery County, Maryland with the suspect inside suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The suspect was also involved in a fatal shooting in Montgomery County that took place shortly before he took his own life.   

 This is an ongoing investigation, and we encourage anyone with any information, or who may have witnessed this event, to please contact The Laurel Police Department at 301-498-0092, or anonymous tips can also be sent to LPDtips@laurel.md.us.  

 If you or anyone you know is suffering from domestic abuse we encourage you to seek help.  The 24 hour 7 days a week National Domestic Abuse hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Media Inquiries:  Please contact Laura Guenin, Public Relations, Laurel Police Department at 240-278-0758 or email lguenin@laurel.md.us.  Any questions regarding the incident that took place in Rockville should be directed the Shiera Goff in the Public Information Office for the Montgomery County Police Department.  

 NOTE: THIS IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF ALL POLICE-RELATED ACTIVITY FOR THE CITY OF LAUREL FOR THE DATES POSTED