Antonio Planas
reporter, Montgomery County
Antonio “Tony” Planas is an express reporter for The Banner’s Montgomery County team. His focus is on law enforcement and immigration issues. He previously worked on the breaking news desk at NBC News, where he juggled writing about the nation’s biggest stories of the day. Tony’s career has focused on shining a spotlight on underserved communities, including leading a team of reporters in Boston who unearthed the city’s more than 300 unsolved homicides spanning a decade and the sizeable disparity in police arrest rates for Black victims compared to white victims. Tony is a Michigan State alumnus who enjoys watching his beloved Spartans compete on the gridiron and basketball court.
The latest from Antonio
Want to get rid of a gun? Exchange it for a gift card.
Gun owners can turn in their firearms to Rockville City Police on Nov. 7. The program has collected more than 1,000 firearms guns since 2022.
2 victims in 3 homicides identified by Prince George’s County Police
A man from Hyattsville and a man from College Park were identified as two of three victims killed on Thursday in Prince George’s County, police said.
Murder investigations under way in College Park stabbing, Hyattsville shooting
Prince George’s County Police are investigating two separate homicides on Thursday, one in Hyattsville and one in College Park.
Jawando and Wells on choosing a new police chief, officers in schools
Here's where the Montgomery County executive candidates stand on three key public safety questions.
Rockville man arrested in fatal Wheaton stabbing
A fugitive task force arrested Elder Blanco Zapata, of Rockville, in connection with a fatal stabbing of 25-year-old man in Wheaton on Monday.
Darnestown man sentenced to 29 months for crash that killed 88-year-old woman
Liam Coskun was sentenced to more than two years in prison for causing a vehicle crash in 2025 that killed an 88-year-old woman, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office said on Monday.
Police identify motorcyclist killed in Chillum crash
Alexander Molina-Benitez was killed in a two-vehicle crash Sunday in Chillum, Prince George’s County Police said Monday.
Suitland man identified as dirt bike rider killed in 2-vehicle crash in Oxon Hill
James Youngerman, of Suitland, was killed Thursday after a two-vehicle crash in Oxon Hill, Prince George’s County Police said on Monday.
Man fatally stabbed in Wheaton
A man was stabbed in the chest in Wheaton and died, Montgomery County Police said.
Bus driver from Pikesville killed in crash in Brandywine
Kyi Swe was killed while driving a bus Thursday night in a single-vehicle crash in Brandywine, state police said.
Early voting is open. Here’s who got to the polls first.
A group of about 30 people walked about half a mile to an early voting site in downtown Rockville on Thursday morning, as early voting sites opened throughout the state.
Capitol Heights man arrested in weekend homicide
Michael Ritch was arrested in connection with fatal shooting of Devin Mason in Capitol Heights on Saturday afternoon, Prince George’s County Police announced on Monday.
Suspect arrested for alleged hate crimes directed at Silver Spring Taco Bell worker
Ryan Barile was arrested on hate crime charges for allegedly making racial remarks to a Taco Bell worker in Silver Spring and threatening to shoot and kill her, Montgomery County Police said on Monday.
Silver Spring woman identified as pedestrian killed in Colesville
Enyish Sergawie Asemahegne, 72, was killed when a vehicle struck her in Colesville on Wednesday morning, Montgomery County Police said.
Hyattsville woman found dead inside her vehicle was killed, police say
Maury Carias Garcia, of Hyattsville, was found dead inside her vehicle on Wednesday, Prince George's County Police said on Thursday.
Mount Rainier man indicted for murder in 1993 disappearance of Brentwood boy
A Prince George’s County man was indicted for murder in connection with the 1993 disappearance of 10-year-old George “Junior” Burdynski, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Pedestrian struck, killed by a vehicle in Colesville
A woman was killed crossing the street in Colesville on Wednesday morning which also caused traffic delays in the area, Montgomery County Police said.
3 men overdose, 1 fatally, at Wheaton Metro station
Police found the three men alive but unresponsive Monday. One later died.
Laurel father and husband died in ICE custody in Louisiana
Julián Curo-Churata lived in Laurel for about 17 years before he was detained in June by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. He died in the agency’s custody on Sept. 29.
Montgomery County lawmakers move to prohibit ‘street takeovers’
Montgomery County’s Public Safety Committee voted to allow the full council to consider banning street takeovers. Similar laws have been passed at the state level and in Prince George’s County.
