UPDATE: Strong-Arm Robbery in Riverdale Park Friday

Update, Monday, 2:43 p.m.

Two Riverdale Park residents were the victims of a strong-arm robbery Friday afternoon.

According to a note Mayor Vernon Archer sent out a note to Riverdale Park residents with the help of the town's listserv late Sunday evening, the robbery occurred on the 5900 block of Harrison Street around 3 p.m.

A 10-year-old child and her mother were the victims.

According to Archer's note, police said the suspects told the victims to hand over money, but when a victim refused, one suspect punched her in the face and took her purse. The victim's daughter was held in a choke hold by a second suspect as the first suspect attacked the victim. The victim tried to fight back, but was overpowered, according to police.

The suspects then fled on foot towards Baltimore Avenue with the victim chasing after them. The suspect who assaulted a victim was stopped by a Riverdale Park police officer near the intersection of Queensbury Road and Lafayette Avenue. 

According to police, the victim and witnesses positively identified the suspect as Dashaun Terrence Richardson, of 5901 Harrison Avenue, as one of the robbery suspects. He was arrested.

Police said Richardson denied involvement and refused to talk to police investigators.

However, police are still trying to identify the second suspect who fled the scene. Police said the suspect is a man in his mid-twenties, about 5'7" tall, 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, and heavy set.  At the time of the robbery, he was wearing a black or blue button-up shirt and blue pants, according to witnesses. He was was last seen in the 4500 block of Oliver Street.

Lt. Robert Turner, of the Riverdale Park Police Department, said they do not know if the second suspect is also a resident of Riverdale Park. Although there have been robberies in College Park, Turner said this is the first Riverdale Park has seen.

At this time, Riverdale Park Police have no other information and the stolen items were not recovered. Police are asking that anyone with information call 301-927-4343.

Patch will continue to follow this story.