Prince George's Police Watch

USPCA Establishes Scholarship In Honor Of Retired Greenbelt Police Officer

The U.S. Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region III has established the Gerald “Jerry” Potts Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor the memory of retired Greenbelt Police Officer Gerald “Jerry” Potts, according to a press release. Jerry served for many years as a canine officer for Greenbelt before retiring as a sergeant in April of 2009. Jerry passed away six months after retiring. The USPCA scholarship fund provides $2,500 towards college tuition to children of USPCA members. Two scholarships are awarded annually at the USPCA Region III banquet in February. This year’s banquet, held on February 29, was the second year the scholarship was awarded. 

One Man, One Note, Four Bank Robberies

Regardless of the bank, the method of robbery has remained the same for one suspect. According to the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Robbery Unit, an individual is wanted in connection with multiple bank robberies. Police said in each robbery, the suspect passed a note demanding money from the register. And the suspect took cash and fled the scene on foot, according to police.

The most recent robbery occurred on Monday. The suspect walked into the M&T Bank located in the 6300 block of Kirby Road, Clinton.

Based on the surveillance photographs, police believe this same suspect is also responsible for three additional bank robberies to include the Capitol One Bank located in the 1000 block of Largo Center Drive, Largo, on Feb. 9; the SunTrust Bank located in the 5700 block of South East Crain Highway, Upper Marlboro, on Jan. 10; and the Wells Fargo Bank located in the 5800 block of Silver Hill Road, District Heights, on Dec. 29.

The police said the suspect is described as a black male between the ages of 25 and 40 years old. He is approximately 5 foot 9 to 6 feet tall and weighs about 150 to 200 pounds, according to police.

Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Robbery Unit at 301-772-4905. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or text — “PGPD" plus their message — to CRIMES (274637) on their cell phones or go to the Prince George's County Police's website and submit a tip online.

Find out more on the PGPD News Blog.

Surveillance camera photos of the suspect are posted with this article.

Please note the Greenbelt Police Department is in Prince George's County, but it is a separate organization from the Prince George's County Police Department.