NPR

Police raided George Pelecanos' home. 15 years later, he's ready to write about it

Crime fiction author and screenwriter George Pelecanos is known for his gritty realism. His latest short story collection takes that same unsparing look at his own past.
Writer George Pelecanos reads <em>The</em> <em>Washington Post</em> every morning in his home.

It was August 2009 when the police raided writer George Pelecanos' home in Silver Spring, Md., just outside of Washington, D.C., with a no-knock warrant.

He was performing his daily ritual of sitting on the couch reading when he saw cars enter the driveway. "I saw these guys wearing black and holding automatic rifles and battering rams," he said in an interview at his home. The police broke down the door overlooking the driveway, and the basement door, too. Pelecanos

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR2 min read
The Louvre Museum Looks To Rehouse The 'Mona Lisa' In Its Own Room — Underground
Louvre Director Laurence des Cars said her institution is looking at upgrading both the visitor experience surrounding the iconic painting as well as the museum overall.
NPR4 min read
You Know It When You See It: Here Are Some Movies That Got Sex Scenes Right
Good sex scenes are like any other kind of good filmmaking: It comes down to execution with purpose and care, done relative to whatever the function of the scene might be.
NPR3 min read
What's Making Us Happy: A Guide To Your Weekend Viewing, Listening And Gaming
Each week, Pop Culture Happy Hour guests and hosts share what's bringing them joy. This week: the show Baby Reindeer, Chappell Roan's Tiny Desk concert, a podcast about MTV, and retro gaming.

Related