Bungling Masked Robbers Run Straight Into PG County Cop: Police

LANHAM, MD -- Two would-be robbers are in jail after they tried to rob a pizza restaurant in Lanham, only to run right into a detective who was there investigating an earlier robbery, police say.

Detectives were investigating a robbery at the restaurant, located in the 9000 block of Annapolis Road, at around 11:30 a.m. when Detective Munawar stepped outside to look for the suspect's car, according to a report from the Prince George's County Police Department.

"Shortly after walking outside, the detective saw two men wearing masks approach the front door," the report states. "As one of the suspects opened the door, the second suspect spotted the officer. The suspects then ran toward a nearby neighborhood."

Munawar followed them and, with the assistance of patrol officers, later stopped the vehicle on Washington Boulevard. Police recovered three guns from the vehicle, according to the report.

Police arrested 26-year-old Tony Barber of District Heights and 25-year-old Niko Boswell-Johnson of Oxon Hill on charges of attempted armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and handgun charges. Police are looking into whether they were involved in other robberies.

"In an unrelated case, we have the same detective and the same excellent police work," the report states. "One week ago, Detective Munawar also arrested another robbery suspect minutes after that suspect robbed a convenience store in Mount Rainier. Knowing that there was a nearby Metro station that the suspect could use to flee the area, the detective headed straight to the station. With the assistance of Metro employees, the suspect was located on a train platform and taken into custody. A loaded handgun was recovered. The suspect has been linked to additional robberies as well."

Images via PGPD