Guilty Plea in Gunshot Stakeout Case

A Washington, DC man arrested by Hyattsville police during a stakeout investigating a series of mystery gunshots in central Hyattsville has pled guilty to a handgun charge in Prince George's County Circuit Court last week. 

Now, 21-year-old Christian Robles, who lives in the 6700 block of 14th Street NW, awaits sentencing for one count of wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun, a misdemeanor carrying a penalty of between 30 days to three years in jail or a fine of between $250 and $2,500.

Robles was arrested by officers from the Hyattsville City Police Department on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. The officers were surveilling an area around 40th Avenue and Nicholson Street after area residents had reported numerous instances of gunshots being fired into the air. 

On the morning of Robles' arrest, officers observed him and another subject walking towards 40th Avenue. Police approached the duo, but Robles and his companion ran off, forcing officers to engage in a foot pursuit. 

During the chase, one of the men discarded a backpack as he ran. Once the chase was over and Robles in custody, police found the backpack, inside of which was a Ruger P89 9mm pistol. 

Police said that Robles waived his rights at the time and admitted that he was carrying a gun.

Robles was initially arrested on a personal recognizance bond, but that was revoked after he failed to appear at an Aug. 17 court hearing and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. 

On Oct. 26, Robles switched his plea to not guilty. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 30. 

Robles has a previous civil citation from 2010 for underage possession of alcohol in Montgomery County.