Local
Gay burglar arrested after Twitter postings
Man allegedly broke into Bentley condos, used computer
(Image public domain)
A gay man charged on Feb. 1 with five counts of burglary was identified by police as a suspect in a series of break-ins at businesses in downtown D.C. in December and January, according to a police arrest affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court.
The affidavit says Thomas Matthew Collodel, 33, was tracked down after he allegedly broke into the upscale Bentley condominium apartment building at 1328 14th Street, N.W. on Dec. 30 and used a computer at the concierge desk to log on to his Twitter account.
“The computer’s browser history indicated that the computer recently had been used to access a Twitter page,” the affidavit says. It says the page was Collodel’s Twitter page and included photos of him that enabled police to identify him from separate photos captured of him by the Bentley’s security cameras.
According to the affidavit, security cameras enabled police to identify Collodel as the alleged burglar at several other downtown and Dupont Circle area businesses in December and January, including the Iron Gate restaurant at 1734 N St., N.W. and an office building at 1525 M St., N.W.
A separate police affidavit says Collodel put up a violent struggle when police spotted him on Jan. 30 walking at 15th and N Streets, N.W. and attempted to arrest him. The affidavit says Collodel attempted to punch one of the officers and kicked the officer several times in the groin area before he was subdued and placed in handcuffs.
“A capped syringe was recovered from defendant Collodel’s person” at the time of his arrest, the affidavit says.
Charging documents show he was later charged with assaulting a police officer in addition to the burglary charges.
Yet another police affidavit dated Feb. 1 says Collodel allegedly “severely damaged” a bathroom at Howard University Hospital at some point after being taken there following his arrest. The affidavit doesn’t mention why he was taken to the hospital.
“The sink and underlying pipes were almost entirely destroyed and water was rushing from the pipes,” the affidavit says. “The light fixture in the ceiling had been ripped away and the metal electrical box, to which the fixture had been mounted, was dangling from the ceiling by electrical wire,” it says.
Court records show that on Feb. 4 D.C. Superior Court Judge Joseph Beshouri ordered Collodel released from jail, where he had been held since the time of his arrest, and ordered he be placed at a halfway house. He is scheduled to appear at a felony status hearing on March 1.
Neither Collodel nor his attorney, University of the District of Columbia law professor Colin Durham, could be reached for comment.
Although previous court records listed Collodel as a resident of McLean, Va., the current court charging documents say he had no fixed address.
People who know him say he has posted messages on various social media sites in recent years indicating he was gay and was seeking to meet other men for dates.
World Pride 2025
D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride
Gay bars, other liquor-serving establishments can stay open 24 hours
D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board, which regulates liquor sales for the city’s bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments licensed to serve alcoholic beverages, has approved extended hours for alcohol service and sales during the days when most WorldPride events will be held in the nation’s capital.
In a May 2 announcement, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, which works with the board, said the extended liquor serving and sales hours for WorldPride will take place beginning Friday, May 30, through 4 a.m. Monday, June 9.
Although the official schedule for WorldPride events shows the events will take place May 17-June 8, most of the large events, including a two-day Pride street festival, parade, and concert, were expected to take place between May 30 and June 8.
According to the ABCA announcement and an ABCA spokesperson, liquor servicing establishments with the appropriate license can stay open for 24 hours and serve alcoholic beverages from 6 a.m. through the day and evening until 4 a.m., with no liquor sales allowed from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. during the May 30-June 9 period.
The ABCA announcement says liquor serving establishments must apply for the extended hours option and pay a $100 registration fee by a deadline on May 27.
Sources familiar with the liquor board have said the board has for many years approved the extension of liquor serving and sales hours for important events and for certain holidays such as New Year’s Eve.
At the time it approved the extended hours for WorldPride the liquor board also approved extended hours during the time when games for a World Cup soccer tournament will be held in the city on June 18, June 22, and June 26.
It couldn’t immediately be determined how many of D.C.’s 22 LGBTQ bars plan to apply for the extended drinking hours. David Perruzza, owner of the Adams Morgan gay bar Pitchers and its adjoining lesbian bar A League of Her Own, said he will apply for the 4 a.m. extended hours option but he does not intend to keep the two bars open for the full 23 hours.
Under the city’s current alcoholic beverage regulations, licensed liquor serving establishments may serve alcoholic beverages until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends.
World Pride 2025
Episcopal bishop to speak at WorldPride human rights conference
Trump demanded apology from Mariann Edgar Budde over post-Inauguration sermon
The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde is among those who are scheduled to speak at the WorldPride 2025 Human Rights Conference that will take place from June 4-6.
Budde, who is the bishop of the Diocese of Washington, in January urged President Donald Trump “to have mercy” on LGBTQ people, immigrants, and others “who are scared right now” during a post-Inauguration service that he and Vice President JD Vance attended at the Washington National Cathedral. Trump criticized Budde’s comments and demanded an apology.
The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde speaks at the Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 21, 2025. (PBS NewsHour clip)
A press release the Washington Blade received notes Icelandic Industries Minister Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, UK Black Pride founder Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, and Bob the Drag Queen are among those who are also expected to participate in the conference.
The conference will take place at the JW Marriott (1331 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.) and registration is open here.
World Pride 2025
Pabllo Vittar to perform at WorldPride
Brazilian drag queen, singer, joined Madonna on stage in 2024 Rio concert
A Brazilian drag queen and singer who performed with Madonna at her 2024 concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach will perform at WorldPride.
The Capital Pride Alliance on Thursday announced Pabllo Vittar will perform on the Main Stage of the main party that will take place on June 7 at DCBX (1235 W St., N.E.) in Northeast D.C.
Vittar and Anitta, a Brazilian pop star who is bisexual, on May 4, 2024, joined Madonna on stage at her free concert, which was the last one of her Celebration Tour. Authorities estimated 1.6 million people attended.
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