Chopper's Technology Leads Police to Robbery Suspects in Hiding: WATCH

Although it was the dead of night, police were able to track down three robbery suspects hiding in some woods with the help of thermal-imaging technology on a Prince George's County Police Department helicopter. 

Patrol officers were called to the store for an armed robbery was reported about 1:20 a.m. July 10 at a convenience store in the 7400 block of Central Avenue. Three suspects reportedly walked into the store, one of them pulled out a gun and demanded cash. The robbers then ran from the store and sped away in a car. 

One officer on his way to the crime scene spotted and tried to stop the suspects’ car, but they fled into the District. The suspect vehicle stopped near Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, 2400 East Capitol St. NE in Washington, and the suspects jumped out of the car to hide in woods next to the Anacostia River.

Crew members used the helicopter’s thermal-imaging capability to find the suspects and guide police officers on the ground to the suspects. In the YouTube video of the capture, the department’s police dog is leading officers toward the suspects while the chopper crew finetuned the manhunt as it hovered overhead, even alerting officers when one suspect ran into the river.

The three suspects face multiple charges related to the robbery. They are 27-year-old Dominique Calvin Better, 27, of the 2400 block of Bryan Place in Southeast Washington; Malik Larry Carter, 18, of the 2900 block of Southern Avenue in Southeast Washington; and Rodney James Stevenson, 21, of the 1500 block of Anacostia Avenue in Northeast Washington.

All three suspects are in the custody of the Metropolitan Police Department, pending extradition to Prince George’s County.

Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to call the CID/Robbery Unit at 301-772-4905. Callers can remain anonymous by calling CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You may also text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online. Crime Solvers is offering a $1,000 cash reward for tips that lead to an arrest and indictment in this case.