Crime & Safety

Hyattsville Police Arrest Lanham Man After Finding $527K of Drugs at His Business

Dean Roy Thomas is being held without bond after Hyattsville police found about 58 pounds of marijuana on Nov. 2 at his business.

last week arrested and charged a Lanham man after they recovered about $527,000 worth of marijuana and three loaded handguns at the Melrose Industrial Park on Rhode Island Avenue.

Dean Roy Thomas is being held without bond after police found about 58 pound of marijuana on Nov. 2 at his business.

Patch was on scene and that city police and a Metro Transit Police K9 unit were at Crittenden Street and Rhode Island Avenue and broke down a door at one of the buildings there.

Find out what's happening in Hyattsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A press release issued Nov. 8 states that at 7:17 p.m. officers responded to the 4800 block of Rhode Island Avenue for a report of assault. The victim allegedly told police that her attacker was the owner of a local business, and that he had fled into that business at the Melrose Industrial Park, across the street from the original incident, the release states.

Hyattsville officers established a perimeter around the business and ordered all occupants outside and a Metro Transit Police K9 unit was called for officer safety.

Find out what's happening in Hyattsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

They searched the building and after the K9 unit alerted officers to the possible presence of marijuana, officers got a warrant and found 58 pounds of marijuana and three loaded handguns, the release states. The marijuana has a street value of approximately $527,000, police said.

Hyattsville officers arrested and charged Thomas with first-degree assault and multiple drug and weapons charges, according to police. He is currently being held without bond. The investigation is ongoing, the release states.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Hyattsville