Biker Charged After Crash

WALDORF --- Paul Michael Walters, 28, of Waldorf, was driving his motorcycle on J.P. Morgan Court in Waldorf on Tuesday, when he lost control and fell with the motorcycle.

He did sustain injury and was transported to Civista Medical Center where he refused treatment.

Further investigation revealed Walters had numerous Fail to Appear violations. He was arrested on these charges as well as charges related to this accident (Driving Without a License, Driving on Suspended License Privilege, and Operating Unregistered Vehicle). Walters was incarcerated in the Charles County Detention Center, pending a bond hearing. POI D.P. Savoy was the arresting officer.

DWI: 5/19/99 1:00 a.m. PO S.H. Fetterolf observed a 1996 Honda Civic w/b on Md. Rt. 228 crossing the edge line several times. The vehicle was stopped at Md. Rt. 228 and Bunker Hill Road. The operator, Phillip Michael Akers, 31, of Waldorf, failed field sobriety tests and was arrested, charged with DWI. Akers was later released on personal recognizance, pending court action.

Gunfire Leaves Holes In Bedroom

WALDORF --  On May 18 at approximately 11:30

p.m. Sheriff's Officers responded to the Acton Village subdivision in Waldorf after several residents reported hearing shots fired. On May 19 at approximately 7:00 a.m. officers S.M. Brown and K.J. Mullings responded to an address on Brookside Place after a caller reported finding two holes in an upstairs bedroom. The damage is believed to have been caused by gun fire. No one was injured in the

incident. Sheriff's Officers are continuing their investigation. Anyone with more information is asked to call the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-7777.

Cops Laying In Wait For Burglars Pounce On Brandywine Man

WALDORF --- On May 2 at 1:47 a.m. detectives Roxanne Gartland and James Ondrish of the Charles County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division were conducting surveillance as part of an investigation into several burglaries that had taken place in the previous two weeks, usually late and night and mostly limited to the Waldorf

area.

According to Charles County Sheriff's spokesman Craig Renner, while conducting surveillance the  detectives observed Russell Maurice Mattei, 42, of Brandywine attempt to break into Bob Evans Restaurant on U.S. Route 301 in Waldorf. The break-in attempt was unsuccessful; however, burglary tools believed to have been used by Mattei were recovered at the scene. Mattei was arrested and incarcerated at the Charles County Detention Center.

Further investigation developed information that implicated Mattei in the burglary of 84 Lumber in White Plains on Feb. 6. He has been charged with Attempted

Second Degree Burglary, Second Degree Burglary, Malicious Destruction of Property under $300.00, and Theft Over $300.00 in connection with these two burglaries, and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center on $50,000 bond. The investigation is continuing.

ASSAULT: On May 1 at 1:45 p.m. Dale Matthew Zarvas, 36, of White Plains went to the residence of a 28-year-old woman in the Dorchester neighborhood of Waldorf. Previously, the woman had been in a dispute over yardwork she had hired Zarvas to perform. The victim asked Zarvas several times to leave the premises, but he refused. Zarvas then allegedly assaulted the victim, who was not injured. After investigation by PFC W.J. Donley, Zarvas was charged via criminal summons with Assault Second Degree and Trespassing.

ASSAULT: On May 2 at approximately 9:10 a.m. Cora Elizabeth Lancaster, 36, of Hughesville became involved in a domestic argument with a 61-year-old Hughesville man.

During the argument, Lancaster allegedly threw a jar at the victim, hitting him in the chest.

The victim was not injured. After investigation by PFC W.J. Donley, Lancaster was charged via criminal summons with Assault Second Degree.

ASSAULT: On May 17 at 1:10 a.m. John Steven Sanchez, 35, of Bryans Road allegedly struck a 31-year-old Hughesville woman during a domestic argument, causing injury to the victim's chin. The victim refused medical treatment. After investigation by POI S.R.

Burrows, Sanchez was arrested, charged with Assault Second Degree, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending a hearing before the District Court

Commissioner.

THEFT: On May 17 at 7:10 p.m. loss prevention officers at Hecht's in Waldorf observed Marcus Manfred Bush, 27, of Waldorf enter a dressing room with two shirts and exit with

only one. The loss prevention officers found the shirt in Bush's possession. After investigation by POI C.S. Long, Bush was charged on a criminal citation with Theft Under

$300.00 and released.

ASSAULT: On May 17 at 9:15 p.m. POI E.C. Leukhardt responded to a residence on Park Square Court in Indian Head in reference to an assault in progress. Investigation revealed that Troy Darnell Matthews, 31, of Indian Head allegedly struck a 32-year-old Indian Head female several times with his fist. Matthews was arrested, charged with Assault Second Degree, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an hearing before the District Court Commissioner.

1 Dead, 1 Near Death In St. Mary's As Simultaneous Crashes Take Place 20 Miles Apart;Bridge Closed

Solomon's (May 13)--- A crash on top of the Solomon's bridge resulted in one person being flown from the scene in extremely critical condition after a 9 PM head-on crash.  Nettie M. Russell, 39, was taken first to Prince George's Shock Trauma Center and then flown later to the trauma unit in Baltimore.  Two persons in  a pickup truck which was hit by Russell's vehicle were not hurt, according to St. Mary's Sheriff's Cpl. Edward Willenborg.  The bridge was closed for several hours. Police are investigating the crash as a a possible fatal wreck.

Mechanicsville (May 13) --- A vehicle crashed, flipped over and burst into flames just a few minutes after the wreck on the Solomon's bridge, killing one person.   The vehicle operated by Robert Paul Paty, 41, of Lusby, was east bound on Flora Corner Road when it went off the road and hit a tree, making the man's death the third such fatal wreck in the first 2 weeks of May in St. Mary's County.  St. Mary's Sheriff's deputies investigated this crash as well.

Two Fatal Crashes Blamed On Speeding

By Kenneth C. Rossignol

ST. MARY'S TODAY

LEONARDTOWN (May 11) --- Three persons have died on Southern Maryland highways this past week, one in Charles County and two in St. Mary's.

In St. Mary's County, a Saturday traffic death brought to two the number of young men killed due to speeding and miscalculating slight curves or hills ahead of them, making Mother's Day on Sunday a grief-stricken event rather than a day of joy for their families and friends.

John William Vallandingham, 20, of Valley Lee, died on Saturday morning around 10 am when his pickup truck left a straight stretch of Brown Road just 1.6 miles in from St. Andrew's Church Road and hit a tree, bursting into flames.

A Valley Lee man died on Saturday morning when he lost control of this speeding pickup.   He was the second St. Mary's young man to die in six days due to speed on the county's back roads. ST. MARY'S TODAY photo by David Gray

Witnesses Put Out Fire, Attempted To Save Driver

St. Mary's Sheriff's Deputy Mark Clark reports that witnesses immediately used hand-held fire extinquishers to put out the fire and were assisted by a Chem-Lawn truck driver who sprayed water from his truck onto the fire.

With speed listed as a factor by Dep. Clark, the death of Vallandingham marked the second fatal wreck of a young man in St. Mary's County within six days.

Vallandingham, or anyone else traveling on Brown Road, would have found it difficult to accelerate to speeds faster than 45 m.p.h. on the winding countryside road, but at the point that his truck left the roadway, the road crested at a slight hill and then turned slightly to the left, leaving the pickup airborne after first laying out skid marks as it hit a tree on the right shoulder about 6 to 8 feet off the ground.

The impact of the truck was enough to fold the front end around the tree and accordion the small pickup, trapping and killing the young man. He did not have any passengers in his truck.

Vallandingham was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Monday, Dale Allen Nelson, 18, of Clements, died when his Volkswagon Fox left the south-bound lane of Rt. 243 near Compton and struck a 1998 Chevy operated by Deborah Ann Leggitt, 46, of St. Mary's City.

Nelson was given an heroic effort by rescue volunteers who labored to restore life, but they could not, and he was pronounced dead at St. Mary's Hospital.

State Police report that speed was the cause of the deadly crash.

Nelson's car had been traveling in a 45 m.p.h. speed zone and approached a sign warning that the speed is reduced ahead. Just as the road curved to the right, Nelson's car crossed the center line and struck Leggitt's vehicle before ending up in a ditch.

Sunday morning found numerous floral displays and balloons on the side of the road to mark the tragic end of Nelson's young life.

On Brown Road there were no flowers or ribbons on Sunday morning, just the skinned bark of the tree Vallandingham struck to bear silent vigil to the senseless waste of life which is repeated year after year by young people in Southern Maryland always losing when confronting oaks.

1 Dead In Wreck of 2 Drinking Drivers

Earlier on Saturday, a fatal wreck took place in Charles County where both drivers were likely to have been drunk, with a final determination on one of the drivers after a complete autopsy is performed.

Maryland State Police report that a unidentified man was killed at 2:45 am as his vehicle was westbound on Billingsly Road and was struck broadside by a vehicle traveling northbound on Rt. 301.

The passenger in the vehicle operated by the man who was killed told State Police that she didn't know his name and that she had only met him earlier that evening at the Tailgate Sportsmen's bar in White Plains.

The couple had left the bar and were on their way back to the bar when the crash took place. The passenger was identified as Carmela Ringold, 24, of Waldorf, who was flown from the scene by U. S. Park Police helicopter but was expected to be released from Washington Hospital Center.

The operator of the striking vehicle was arrested for driving while intoxicated, according to State Police Cpl. Norma Trass. He was identified as Michael Anthony Whalen, 33, of Indian Head.

The man who was killed was in the service and assigned to Andrews Air Force Base. A positive blood alcohol analysis will be completed as part of the autopsy of the man's body, report police.

On Sunday State Police Sgt. Michael Thompson reported that Air Force officials had notified the family of the dead man who was identified as Orlando Levon Lawrence, 28, of Andrews Air Force Base.

Solomons:

Car Burns After Striking Van

This car crashed into a van on Rt. 765 just north of Dowell Road and then traveled down a hillside into a wooded area where it caught on fire.  The driver and a passenger in the van were flown by Maryland State Police Med-Evac helicopter to a trauma unit. 

ST. MARY'S TODAY photo by David Gray

Calvert Crash Involved Booze; Charges Pending

A wreck on Saturday afternoon left two people seriously injured when a sedan reportedly was operating on the wrong side of the road and struck a van on Rt. 765 north of Dowell Road near Auto Body Rebuilders. The car jettisoned down a nearby hill into a wooded area and burst into flames.

State Police Sgt. Raymond Sanders reported that charges are pending against the driver of the Mercury, James Michael Park, 28, of Lusby, who was flown from the of the wreck. Driving the van was Jason A. Howes, 29, of Prince Frederick. A passenger in Howes' vehicle was also flown from the scene and police reported on Monday morning that both patients were in stable condition.

Solomon's Volunteer Rescue and Fire Department personnel put out the fire in the car and nearby brush.

Police list alcohol as a cause of the wreck with final charges against Park pending results of blood tests.

House Fire Ruled Arson

BUSHWOOD --- State Fire Marshal investigators have ruled that yet another in series of fires to strike throughout the Bushwood, Chaptico and Mechanicsville areas was started intentionally.

The arson of an vacant house which was being used to store building materials took place at 3 am on Bushwood Road.

Deputy Fire Marshal Chuck Dammann reports that there were no injuries to any of the dozen firefighters from Leonardtown and the Seventh District Volunteer fire companies who brought the fire under control in about 15 minutes.

The fire completely destroyed the building and contents with a loss of $15,000 set by the investigator.

TWO ARRESTED FOR BOMB THREATS

Special reports from the Charles County Sheriff's Office  ---

INDIAN HEAD  & WALDORF --- Charles Sheriff's officers have made two arrests in connection with threats to county schools. About 12:15 May 5 police responded to Lackey High School in Indian Head in response to a reported bomb threat. Investigation revealed 18-year-old Miracle J. Holt of Indian Head was on the bus home when he reportedly stated to another student that he had planned to blow up the school, but had decided not to. A person who overheard the comment reported it to school officials. Holt was arrested by POI J.L. Claspell and charged with False Report of a Bomb and held at the Charles County Detention Center before being release on personal recognizance. On Thursday, police arrested a 13-year-old Waldorf male after investigation revealed that the student had threatened to place an explosive device in the cafeteria of John Hanson Middle School in Waldorf. The juvenile was charged with Threat of Arson/Explosive Device and Disturbance of School Activities, and detained at Boys Village in Cheltenham pending further action by officials with the Department of Juvenile Justice.

THEFT/FORGERY/UTTERING: 4/29/99. On March 29, 1999, a 54-year-old Waldorf male reported that several personal checks of his were stolen. Later on this date, Stephen James Epperson, 29, of Waldorf, attempted to cash one of the checks at the First Virginia Bank of Maryland in Clinton. When officers of the Prince George's County Police Department arrived on the scene, Epperson fled, almost striking one of the officers with his vehicle. During the course of investigation Epperson was identified and it was discovered that he was a walk-off from the Charles County Detention Center, work release program, where he had been serving time for 2nd Degree Assault. It was further learned that he had cashed a number of the checks in the Charles County area. On 4/6/99, Epperson was located at the Charles County Towne Center and served with a re-take warrant and criminal warrants for Failure to a ppear and Non-support. On 5/5/99, Epperson was charged with Theft, Forgery and Uttering for his involvement in the aforementioned stolen check case. He was also charged by the Prince George's County Police Department for the 3/29/99 incident in which he almost struck a police officer while fleeing the First Virginia Bank of Maryland in Clinton. Det. J.W. Ondrish was the arresting officer.

POSSESSION CONCEALED WEAPON: 5/2/99. POI J.C. Piazza stopped a vehicle on Md. Rt. 5 at Billingsley Road, in Waldorf, which had no taillights and only one headlight. An equipment repair order was issued to the driver. The passenger, a 17-year-old Hughesville male, was told to exit the vehicle and asked if he was carrying any weapons. It was learned he had two knives on his person, a switchblade and a lock blade knife. At a later date, he was charged as a juvenile with Possession Concealed Deadly Weapon and released to his parent, pending action by juvenile authorities.

THEFT: 5/5/99 5:00 p.m. POI R.M. Loney responded to Hechts in reference to a shoplifter in custody.  Investigation revealed that the loss prevention officer had observed a 17-year-old female remove property from a shelf in the store, conceal the property in a shopping bag and attempt to leave the store without paying for same. The Cheltenham, Md., girl was charged as a juvenile with Theft under $300, and released to her parent pending action by juvenile authorities.

AUTO THEFT: 5/6/99 3:30 a.m. A 27-year-old woman reported her 1991 Hyundai Scoup stolen from her residence on Helen Court in Indian Head. The vehicle displays Md. Reg. GDV334. Anyone with information is requested to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-743-2222. POI S.R. Burrows is conducting this investigation.

TRESPASSING: On May 6 at 11:55 a.m. POI D.C. Kelly responded to Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf in reference to a report of trespassing. Ofc. Kelly made contact with a 17-year-old Waldorf female who had been asked to leave the premises on several occasions. When the juvenile did not heed Ofc. Kelly's request that she leave, the juvenile was arrested and charged with Trespassing.

ASSAULT: On May 6 at approximately 2:45 p.m. POI J.M. Stoddard responded to an address on the 2400 block of Lake Drive in Waldorf in reference to an assault in progress. Investigation revealed that 54-year-old Doris Ann Harding, of Waldorf, had been involved in an argument with a 29-year-old Waldorf female when Harding allegedly chased after the victim with a butcher knife. Harding was arrested, charged with First and Second Degree Assault, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending a hearing before the District Court Commissioner.

FLEEING AND ELUDING/RECKLESS DRIVING: On May 6 at 6:00 p.m. POI J.M. Stoddard was on patrol on Lexington Drive near Davis Road in Waldorf when he observed a dirt bike operating on the roadway. When Ofc. Stoddard tried to initiate a traffic stop, the bike continued traveling on Lexington Drive. Ofc. Stoddard lost sight of the vehicle when it fled into the woods, but was able to locate the operator of the vehicle, Sheldon Nace Proctor, 23, of Waldorf, hiding in the woods. Proctor was arrested, charged with Fleeing and Eluding, Driving Without a License, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, and Reckless Driving, and incarcerated at the Charles County Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

THEFT UNDER $300: On May 6 at 8:45 p.m. POI C.S. Long responded to Walmart in Waldorf in reference to a report of a shoplifter in custody. Investigation revealed that store security had stopped a 12-year-old Fort Washington male who had allegedly attempted to leave the store without paying for an electronic video game. After investigation, the juvenile was charged with Theft Under $300 and released to his parents, pending action by juvenile justice authorities.

ASSAULT: On May 6 at 9:26 p.m. POI C.P. McCue responded to an address on the 4500 block of Christopher Place in La Plata in reference to an assault in progress. Upon arrival Ofc. McCue made contact with the victim, who had an abrasion on her right shin. After further investigation, Timothy Wayne Williams, 26, of La Plata was arrested, charged with Assault Second Degree, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending a hearing before the District Court Commissioner.

DWI: On May 6 at 9:26 p.m. POI J.M. Stoddard was on patrol on Maryland Route 228 near Trumpeter Drive in Waldorf when he observed a silver BMW changing lanes without signaling and failing to stay right of center. Ofc. Stoddard initiated a traffic stop. Upon making contact with the driver, Sigrid Dildine Elliott, 48, of Bethesda, Ofc. Stoddard detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverage. Elliott was asked to perform several field sobriety tests, which she failed. She was arrested, charged with DWI,and held at the Charles County Detention Center before being released.

Faulty Chimney Causes House Fire

BRYANS ROAD --- There was a fire in a residential home on Carroll Place in Charles County in the early morning hours yesterday.  Diane Short and an unidentified 82-year-old woman were inside. No one was harmed. Estimated damages totaled $300.

     The fire, caused by burning embers that escaped through a faulty chimney flue, burned behind a wall. The occupants detected it by hearing crackling noises, and alerted the building's owner, Cecil Carroll, who removed the wall's paneling and attempted to put it out with a garden hose.

     The Bryans Road fire department arrived as Mr. Carroll was doing so, according to Deputy State Fire Marshal Chuck Dammann, and finished the job.

More Email Threats Made Against Schools Include Bomb Warnings

LEXINGTON PARK --- Additional warnings and threats of violence in St. Mary's schools were made yesterday in the form of email messages, according to informed sources. 

    The St. Mary's school system has had a number of such threats made concerning local schools, including bomb threats, which have been made in past years, long before the Columbine High School Massacre. 

St. Mary's school officials worked hard yesterday in meetings to plan for more stringent actions to assure the safety of school children and staff, according to schools spokeswoman Zina McGowan-Thomas. 

    A comprehensive search of the Leonardtown Middle School onTuesday revealed the building to be free of weapons, drugs and explosives.

     Such threats are coming in statewide, from Ocean City to Western Maryland, including three state office buildings today, according to Maryland State Police Lt. Col. Jesse Graybill.

Citizen Unhappy With Sheriff's Dept. Investigation of Possible School Shooting Plot Sent Mystery Email Warning

E-Mail Warning Came From Person Dissatisfied With Sheriff's Department Probe

LEONARDTOWN --- The Maryland State Police report that their investigation into a email message warning of a plot of children to shoot other students at Leonardtown Middle School which triggered a search of the school today came about because a citizen felt that a previous probe into the possible plot had been bungled by the St. Mary's Sheriff's Department.

The email message referred to having received a phone call "...concerning a student plot at Leonardtown Middle to come to school and shoot certain students."

State Police investigator Craig Tyer reported to ST. MARY'S TODAY that he had tracked down the sender of a email message sent to the newspaper on Monday and was convinced that person had only tried to warn the general public through the newspaper that there was a viable threat to the safety of children at the school and wasn't convinced the investigation which had been conducted by the Sheriff's Department was thorough or complete.

At this time, State Police have not released the name of the person who sent the email and said that charges are not likely to be placed.

Search at Leonardown Middle School Turned Up Lockers Free of Weapons, Drugs

LEONARDTOWN (May 4) --- A search by St.Mary's school administrators and police this morning in response to a report that a plot by students to shoot other students was being hatched, revealed that the student lockers were free of any drugs or weapons.  While the search was being conducted, students cast a wary eye, and a few students were kept back from school by their parents.

Youth Killed When He Lost Control Of His Car

COMPTON --- A St. Mary's County man was killed on Monday afternoon when the car he was operating on Rt. 243 south of Rosebank Road near Compton went out of control on a curve, crossed the center line of the highway and struck another car which was northbound at about 2:30 pm.      Maryland State Police report that Dale Allen Nelson, 18, of Pin Cushion Road in Clements was taken to St. Mary's Hospital where he was prounounced dead. Rescue workers from the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad performed a valiant effort with CPR in an effort to save the young man's life.

     Nelson's 1993 Volkswagon Fox hit a 1998 Chevy Monte Carlo operated by Deborah Ann Leggitt, 46, of Snowhill Manor Road in St. Mary's City. Leggitt was taken by Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad to St. Mary's Hospital where she was treated and released.

     State Police Troopers Janet Speaker, Jacob Cameron and Samuel Bell investigated the crash and listed the cause due to the loss of control of the Volkswagon. Neither driver had passengers, report police.

Woman Injured In Fire Caused by Smoking

LA PLATA --- Maryland State Deputy Fire Marshal Chuck Dammann reports that a La Plata woman was seriously injured on Monday when she was burned in a house fire in her home located on St. Mary's Avenue in La Plata.

Investigators say that Patricia Bowling Albrittain, 70, had recently changed her medication and fell asleep in a cushioned chair in her recreation room while smoking. Albrittain awakened to discover her chair on fire and attempted to put the fire out before calling 911.

Rescue workers to her to Civista while firefighters from Waldorf, La Plata and Bel Alton put out the fire in the one story frame home.

Albrittain suffered 2nd degree burns.

Domestic Dispute Leads To Traffic Death

White Plains: A couple arguing while driving eastbound on Demarr Road in a Ford Aerostar Sunday afternoon ended their argument as death did them part.  Charles County Sheriff's spokesman Craig Renner reports that a 40-year-old Waldorf woman was killed as she jumped from the moving car as the vehicle was near Ellinger Drive. The woman was identfied as Karen Denise Butler.

Chase From Calvert Ends In Crash With State Police Car In St. Mary's

        Fleeing Felon Nabbed By Trooper

Lusby: A high speed chase started in Calvert County on Rt. 765 near C & D Texaco and onto Rt. 4 when the fleeing motorist led police units across the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge into St. Mary's County and crashed into Maryland State Police Trooper Roger Redmond in his police car at the intersection of Rt. 235 and Rt. 4. Special stop sticks, devices designed to puncture the tires of fleeing cars, were dodged by the driver, identified as Anthony Joseph Pruitt, 28, of Rose Haven. Pruitt beat feet and was captured by Trooper John Vanhoy who wrestled him down and cuffed him. There were no injuries, details and photos in the print edition of ST. MARY'S TODAY on newsstands Tuesday.

Trooper Roger Redmond blocked this car operated by a Rose Haven man who was wanted on an open warrant for violation of his probation; Anthony Joseph Pruitt, 28, will now face multiple criminal and traffic charges.  Pruitt was captured after a foot chase by Trooper John Vanhoy.  See print edition for full story.

Trooper Roger Redmond                   Trooper John Vanhoy

Loveville:

Motorcyclist seriously injured --- Mark Alan Mahoney, 37, of Lexington Park, the operator of a Saab ran stop sign at intersection of Pin Cushion Road and Sunnyside Road on Saturday and plowed into the side of a motorcycle.  Gregory Gene Long, 33, of Charles County, on the bike, was flown to P. G. shock trauma center by Maryland State Police helicopter.  Long is in critical but stable condition, reports St. Mary's Sheriff's Cpl. Jeff McLane.  

Another motorist killed a local man 3 weeks ago by failing to yield to a motorcycle on Rt. 5. Mahoney was charged with failure to yield the right of way and to obey a stop sign.   Cpl. McLane reports that alcohol was not involved.  See print edition on Tuesday for more photos.

St. Mary's Deputy Christopher Morley, left and Dfc. Diane Thompson, right, examine the wreckage of Mark Mahoney's Saab after he blew a stop sign and struck a motorcycle.   ST. MARY'S TODAY photo

Charlotte Hall:

Crash ties up traffic --- injuries, more details later as police are still wrapping up reports

Thompson's Corner:

Signal 13 --- Officer in need of assistance brings cops streaming to aid of deputy.    Man Who Fought St. Mary's Deputies Trying to Serve Warrant on Father, Busted In Head, Taken To Hospital - St. Mary's Sheriff's Cpl. Jeff McLane reports suspect's sons began scuffling with deputies trying to arrest their father

Victim Disputes Fritz:

Fritz, 2 Others, Held Her down & Took Turns Raping Her While She Screamed For Help

By Kenneth C. Rossignol

ST. MARY'S TODAY

LEONARDTOWN --- The victim in the rape case in which St. Mary's State's Attorney Richard Fritz entered a guilty plea in St. Mary's Circuit Court when he was 18-years-old has now contradicted Fritz's claim that she had consented to sex with him, instead stating that she screamed for help as Fritz and two others held her down and took turns raping her.

The victim came forward because she said she was being portrayed as a tramp by Fritz when she was actually raped.

For 35 years no one has known the real story about what happened when three young men and two girls got together at a house in November of 1964 on St. George's Island in St. Mary's County. The incident led to Fritz, who was over 18, being charged with carnal knowledge of a 15-year-old girl.

Fritz was sentenced to 18 months in prison and had his sentence suspended to probation. He later spent a lot of time in Circuit Court, becoming a Deputy State's Attorney and last fall was elected to the post of State's Attorney.

During last year's election, in fact a week before the election, the criminal conviction of State's Attorney Richard Fritz first surfaced as an issue after supporters of Fritz began to publicize a marijuana possession conviction of his opponent in last year's election, Joseph A. Mattingly Jr.

In a WMDM radio interview the week before the election, Fritz said the incident was a case of consensual sex, a position he repeated in a radio interview on the WMDM radio show Brugman On The Bay the day after the election.

But Fritz failed to mention that a 15-year-old girl cannot give consent to sexual intercourse. In that 2nd interview Fritz blamed the raging hormones of young men for the incident which started him off with a criminal conviction even before he entered college.

Now as St. Mary's State's Attorney, Richard Fritz has before him the first similar case that he will have to prosecute and ask a jury to understand why Richard Edward Crocker, 21, of Hollywood, should go to prison for having supplied a 14 and a 15-year-old girl with liquor and then having sex with them in a local motel. Many courthouse observers will be waiting to see if Fritz will once again raise the "raging hormones" defense as he prosecutes Crocker.

Neither girl in the incident which took place earlier this month, like the victim in the incident Richard Fritz was convicted of in 1965, could give consent to have sex, as they were clearly underage, even to those uneducated on the law, a condition which is commonly referred to by young men as "jailbait".

When asked about the incident in September of 1994 after the Enterprise newspaper printed a story saying that Fritz had been charged with a sexual offence, Fritz told ST. MARY'S TODAY that the girl consented to having sex.

The Enterprise didn't print their story until after Fritz lost the Democratic Primary election to incumbent State's Attorney Walter B. Dorsey and the Enterprise did not print any statement from the victim telling her side of the story.

Now, for the first time, the woman that Fritz raped and then was raped by two other youths, in a case of multiple sex offences, has requested to be identified by ST. MARY'S TODAY and wants her story told.

In a nutshell, the victim says she was raped while she was held against her will.

Carla Henning Bailey said this past week that in contrast to the explanation of the incident offered by Fritz that she consented to having sex with him, a graduating senior, that instead, she screamed for help.

"They were holding me down, my arms were held, they took turns," said Bailey. "I was screaming the whole time."

Fritz and Chip Malar were over 18, said Bailey, and one youth was 17, just months shy of being of age to be charged as an adult.

The sister of the younger youth was in the next room, said Bailey, and the girl failed to come to her aid. The group had been walking around on the roads on the island and then she was coaxed into going into the house, which was unoccupied, perhaps a summer home.

"We were all friends and used to walk the roads," said Bailey.

But the friendships ended that night.

"Shirley did nothing," said Bailey when asked if the girl did anything to stop the attack. "I kept screaming for her to go get help but none ever came. I kept screaming the whole time."

"Nothing was said that night," said Bailey, "I called my boyfriend and told him and he was upset and the next day when I got on the school bus I was teased, I went to the principal's office and Mr. Duke called my parents, my mother came to school and took me to the base hospital, my father was military, and I was checked out."

Bailey said that Shirley and she are the same age, making them both only 15 when the rape took place, therefore, ST. MARY'S TODAY is not identifying Shirley by her last name. Her brother admitted his involvement in an interview last year and claimed that he too was a juvenile at the time. Therefore, if the case took place today and he wasn't charged as an adult, he likely would not be identified by this newspaper.

The States Attorney at the time of the rape was Charles Norris and Bailey said that the case was over with quickly.

Charges were filed by way of Criminal Information by Norris on Feb. 10, 1965 and the case was heard before the late Circuit Court Judge Phillip H. Dorsey on Aug. 30, 1965. Fritz was sentenced to 18 months in prison and the sentence was suspended to supervised probation until further ordered by the court.

"Norris took the case, there was a judge and I told him what happened and he did his thing, it wasn't really like a court you see on TV," said Bailey. She said one of the other youths was incarcerated and one was on put on probation.

"It was real hush, hush situation," said Bailey who noted that one of the young men had an uncle who "kept it from coming out, that's my belief".

"Norris was a nice man and did what he had to do as far as justice goes, but at the same time justice wasn't served the way it should have been," said Bailey. "I was told not to discuss this with anyone so I didn't, except my parents and my boyfriend at the time."

Asked if she had been discouraged from testifying in court or promised anything by anyone, Bailey said, "I wasn't promised anything and wasn't threatened either."

Bailey said that she had not used either alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident while Fritz told ST. MARY'S TODAY that when he finished having what he called consensual sex with Bailey, he went to the store for more beer when one of the other young men began to have sex with the girl.

Bailey said that not only was it time for the truth to come out, but she wanted people to know who she is.

"I was a Bailey for most of my years in St. Mary's and Henning was my maiden name," said Bailey, "I married when I was a junior in high school and graduated with this name in my yearbook. I'm not ashamed of this because I know I was not in the wrong. I want people to know the truth of things, there are two sides of every story and both sides should be known, then judge by that."

"I want to help others who have been raped, keeping silent does not help," said Bailey, who now lives out of state. "I have discussed this with my family and they understand and are supporting me."

Thus far, women's groups have been silent on the rape in which Fritz was involved.

Charles Police Beat

Police Probe Theft

BRYANS ROAD ---Sometime between 8:00 p.m. Apr. 28 and 6:15 a.m. Apr. 29 unknown suspect(s) used unknown means to enter and steal a 1994 Ford Probe belonging to a 39-

year-old Bryans Road female and parked on the 6500 block of Jessica Court. POI C.P. McCue is continuing this investigation.

Honda Heist

INDIAN HEAD --- Sometime between 10:30 p.m. Apr. 28 and 6:30 a.m. Apr. 29 unknown heathens used unknown means to steal a 1989 Honda CRX si coupe from in front of a residence on Gehring Court in Indian Head. The vehicle, described as bluish purple in color with Maryland tags F2V 033, belongs to a 20-year-old Indian Head man. Cpl. J.S. Harman is continuing this investigation.

Pot At School

INDIAN HEAD --- On Apr. 29 at 11:00 p.m. school officals at Lackey High School in Indian Head found a 17-year-old La Plata female in possession of suspected pot.   After an investigation by PO1 Mark Davidson, the juvenile was arrested, charged with Possession of CDS-Marijuana, and later released to the custody of a parent.

To The Slammer For Double-Dips of DWI & Crack for Two

NEWBURG --- Speeding on Rock Point Road caught the eye of Charles Sheriff's Patrol Officer J. A. Burroughs on Thursday night near Mount Victoria Road  A traffic stop was initiated and contact was made with the driver, identified as Charles Samuel Catterton, Jr., 36, of Cobb Island. A passenger, John Douglas McGinn, 23, of Newburg, was asked to exit the vehicle.  After further investigation, Catterton was arrested and charged with DWI, and McGinn was arrested and charged with Possession of CDS-Crack Cocaine.

Charles County Sheriff Fred Davis congratulates one of the graduating officers of the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy. 

ST. MARY'S TODAY photo

New Charles County, State Fire Marshal and Patuxent River Naval Air Station Officers await their turn mounting the stage to receive diplomas at graduation last week.     The officers completed a 6-month training session.  ST. MARY'S TODAY photo

New law officers listen to commencement speech given by

Maryland Senate President Thomas M. "Mike" Miller Jr. (D. Prince Georges) at the April 22. 1999 graduation.

ST. MARY'S TODAY photo

Charles County Explorer Scouts Jason Posey and at the graduation ceremonies.

La Plata:

16 New Law Officers For Three Southern Maryland Counties; 2 New Officers For Pax River Police

Man Fought Trooper, Deputy While Being Arrested For DWI

CHARLOTTE HALL --- A Mechanicsville man showed he can't handle too much firewater on Thursday night when he allegedly smacked a couple of police officers who were trying to lock him up for drunk driving. State Police report that Trooper Sean Morris stopped Joseph Stephen Proctor Sr., 41, of Mechanicsville on Rt. 5 at Triangle Drive and arrested him for driving while intoxicated.

During the arrest, Proctor assaulted Trooper Morris and Deputy Yingling, report police. Proctor was hauled away in the Sheriff's Department paddy wagon which was dispatched to the scene from the county jail. Proctor was jailed on charges of assault and DWI pending a bond hearing before a District Court Commissioner after he sobered up the next day.

St. Mary's Man Charged With Molesting 5-Year-Old Prince Frederick Girl

GOLDEN BEACH --- Maryland State Police investigators have charged a St. Mary's County man with sexually abusing a young girl who lives in Prince Frederick at his residence in Golden Beach in a series of events which took place last year.

State Trooper First Class Shelley R. Wahlgren charged Dennis Edward "Buddy" Phipps, 45, of Golden Beach with one count of child sexual abuse, three counts of 3rd degree sex offence and 3 counts of 2nd degree sex offence.

Phipps was apprehended on a warrant on Friday after an investigation began in January when the victim told authorities who had been abusing her. On Nov. 3rd of last year, a report had of sex abuse of the victim had been made to Charles County Sheriff's officers and documentation of the abuse had been made, but the victim didn't disclose what happened.

Police say that the abuse took place while the child was in Phipps' care between April 24th and Oct. 15th of last year.

Fools Rush In

SANDGATES --- A St. Mary's Deputy Sheriff already had his hands full on Saturday as he was investigating a domestic assault, reports Sgt. Rick Burris. Deputy Earl Young reports that Joseph Franklin Morgan, 39, of Mechanicsville, repeatedly hindered his investigation of the assault and that Morgan was assaulted, earning him a trip to the Hotel St. Mary's, proving the old axiom that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Church Desecrated, Poor Box Money Stolen

BUSHWOOD --- Another local Catholic Church has fallen prey to thieves who robbed the poor box but this latest heathen to steal money intended for the poor left a calling card inside a confessional.

St. Mary's Sheriff's Deputy Earl Young reports that Father Frances Early of Sacred Heart Church in Bushwood, discovered on Wednesday afternoon that someone had defecated inside the booth where Catholics make their Holy Act of Contrition.

The desecration of the church was in addition to damage to a metal poor box and a metal cabinet, with a loss of $310 listed on police reports.

Several robberies of the poor box at St. Michael's in Ridge have taken place in recent months.

Drunk Tanked

CHARLOTTE HALL --- A big mouth drunk who refused several orders from St. Mary's Sheriff's Deputy Earl Young to clam up was arrested on disorderly conduct charges on Thursday night at the Charlotte Hall Subway Shell.

Dep. Young reports that he arrested Donald Wayne Balch, 31, of California, who was screaming and cussing at the business.

Business In Heart of Waldorf Burglarized

WALDORF --- An office was broken into overnight on Monday night or tuesday Morning, reports Charles County Sheriff's spokesman Craig Renner. Entry was gained to Monarch Construction and Masonry, Inc., in the 12000 block of Acton Lane, Waldorf, by unknown culprits. Assorted office equipment, valued at over $300, was stolen. POI W.G. Christian is continuing this investigation.

Anyone with information pertaining to this offense is requested to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-7777.

Charlie Chan & Roger Redneck Fled When Resident Returned During Burglary

CHARLOTTE HALL --- Just days after several other daytime burglaries in the Charlotte Hall,  Mechanicsville area another such burglary has taken place. A 30-year-old man returned home to  his residence in Charlotte Hall on Tuesday morning, and saw two suspects flee from his house. He discovered that the residence had been broken into and property valued at over $300 had been taken. The suspects are described as an Asian male and a white male. They fled in a newer model, blue Chrysler passenger car. Det. J.W. Ondrish and POI D.P. Savoy are continuing this investigation. Anyone with information pertaining to this offense is requested to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-7777.

Prince Frederick:

2 St. Leonard Women Critically Injured In Crash

Mechanicsville:

Arsonist Leaves Trail of Embers As He Eludes Police, Fire Marshals

Waldorf:

Pedophile Retired Air Force Sgt. Suspect In 17 Charles Cases

Lexington Park:

Bad Ass Leads Trooper On Chase Thru Business District

Waldorf:

Leonardtown Woman Scammed In Cash Scheme

Leonardtown:

3 Charged In Separate Weekend Assaults on Women

Glass Bashing Takes Place On Same Street Where Murder Occurred As St. Charles Lawlessness Continues

WALDORF --- Charles County Sheriff's officers are investigating two incidents of property destruction which took place in the same neighborhood where a man was murdered two weeks ago and at least a half dozen burglaries have occurred in recent weeks. Unknown culprit/s broke the back glass window on two vehicles in Waldorf. The first is owned by a 44-year-old woman and occurred in the 500 block of University Drive. The other vehicle is owned by a 26-year-old woman and occurred in the 1100 block of Harvard Road. No property was taken from either vehicle. POI W.G. Christian is investigating both incidents. Anyone with information pertaining to these incidents is requested to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-7777.

Teenybopper Catfight

WALDORF --- A 16-year-old Waldorf girl confronted a 14-year-old Hughesville girl over hear-say rumors and instigated a fight by pushing her on Tuesday morning, report police.

No injuries occurred as a result of this confrontation, which occurred at Thomas Stone High School. The older girl was charged as a juvenile with 2nd Degree Assault and released to her parent, pending action by juvenile authorities. POII K.M. Keelan was the charging officer.

Youth Charged With Assault On Stepfather

NEWBURG --- An 11-year old boy was arrested after he assaulted his step-father at their residence in the 10900 block of Mary Barnes Place, in Newburg on Tuesday. The step-father was attempting to discipline the boy, when the youth threatened him with a 14" wooden level. No injuries were sustained by either party. The boy was charged as a juvenile with 2nd degree Assault and released to his mother, pending action by juvenile authorities. Cpl. R.L. Burkett was the arresting officer.

Arsonist Running Wild In Area

MECHANICSVILLE --- An arsonist has been keeping firefighters and police running night after night in the past week, setting fires at a pace which has been difficult for all involved in putting out the fires as well as trying to nab the firebug.

Early yesterday morning several brush and dumpster fires were set in Charles County while sightings of a person in a red pickup truck and believed to have been responsible for the fires were made to the Charles County Sheriff's Office.

A fire in an abandoned house on Woodland Drive in Indian Head on Thursday likely was not connected to the arsonist but simply caused by a vagrant who set up a burn barrel in the old structure to keep warm.

But a $50,000 loss to a large tobacco barn on Reeves Road in Mechanicsville was attributed to arson. That fire took place early on Friday morning when a passerby discovered the blaze and called 911.

Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal Maurice Cox reports that the fire totally destroyed the barn at about 3:50 am and took firefighters from Mechanicsville, Hughesville and Hollywood about 15 minutes to control.

On Sunday evening a fire was discovered in a abandoned house on Stoakley Road in Prince Frederick and the cause is listed as undetermined. Firefighters from Benedict, St. Leonard, Huntingtown and Prince Frederick fought the fire and brought it under control in 10 minutes.

In recent months, a virtual arson-spree has spread throughout the rural areas of Southern Maryland as a firebug has spent his or her nights setting fires to a variety of old buildings, barns, dumpsters and abandoned houses and trailers.

Those who may have information about the fires should call the Office of the State Fire Marshal at 1-800-492-7529.

Man Leads Trooper On High Speed Chase

LEXINGTON PARK --- A local man led a Maryland State Trooper on a high speed chase this past Friday evening, causing pedestrians in downtown Lexington Park have to dodge and dart the speeding suspect. Trooper Sam Bell nabbed Timothy W. Brooks, 28, of Lexington Park after Brooks sped from Millison Plaza to the Spring Valley Apartments and jumped out of his car while it was still moving. Tpr. Bell was assisted by Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 7 and St. Mary's Sheriff's Deputies in the chase which ended with Brooks beating feet. Brooks was deposited in the Hotel St. Mary's pending a bond review.

St. Mary's River:

Last Days of Hand Tonging for Murdered Man:  Joseph Tyrone Maddox, left, is shown in this photo taken just days before he was allegedly murdered by his girlfriend, a federal worker at GSA. At right is Melvin Maddox.  photo for ST. MARY'S TODAY by Rose Lynch

Hollywood:

Man Burned In House Fire --- Fire that started on sofa on Monday evening causes $100,000 damage to home on Mount Pleasant Road; Joseph A. Martin, 69, taken to hospital with 2nd degree burns, then flown to Washington Hospital Center and is listed in critical condition.

Three Men Charged With Beating Women Over Weekend

LEONARDTOWN --- Maryland State Troopers charged three local men with assaulting women over the weekend, with two of them managing to get into the county lockup before the referee rang the last bell of the fight. State Police Trooper John Vanhoy arrested Joseph M. Fitzpatrick, 34, of Leonardtown, for assault on a 38-year-old woman on Friday evening. Fitzpatrick was incarcerated. On Saturday, Trooper Janet Speaker served a criminal summons on Thurman A. Harmon for an assault which allegedly took place on March 20th on a 49-year-old woman. On Sunday, Tfc. James Lukasewicz arrested Carroll L. Alvey, 35, of Lexington Park for an alleged assault on a 33-year-old woman. Alvey was incarcerated pending an appearance before a District Court Commissioner.

Consumption of Catfish, Eel & Carp Caught In Charles County Waters of Potomac Should Be Limited

ANNAPOLIS --- State officials issued an emergency warning to those who fish the waters of the Potomac River above the Rt. 301 Bridge to the area of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, to limit the consumption of large channel catfish, eel or carp that they catch in that stretch of the river.

Maryland Department of the Environment emphasized that all other species of fish in the river and the Chesapeake Bay region are safe to eat, pointing out that they are low in fat and high in protein.

But eating eel, carp and catfish, larger than 10" caught in the area marked by Smith Point on the Charles County coastline, about ten miles north of the Rt. 301 Bridge north to Wilson bridge is a bad idea due to possible PCB contamination in the three types of fish which specialize in feeding on the bottom and store PCB in the fatty portions, skin and dark meat.

The fish can be eaten, say MDE officials, recommending that the skin, dark meat and fatty sections be discarded, that the fish be broiled or baked in a tray which will allow the fat to run off and the drippings be discarded.

Infants, children and women of childbearing age should avoid eating any of the three species caught in that area of the Potomac. Officials say that the advisory is directed only towards recreational fisherfolks, not commercial fisheries.

Pipe-bomb Blows Up Mailbox

WALDORF --- Fire Marshals are seeking the identity of the twit who set off an explosive device in a mailbox on Alfred Drive in Waldorf. Call 410-535-8845 to turn in the idiot who left the bomb.

Youth Beaten, Robbed of Cash and Cologne

INDIAN HEAD --- Local heathens beat up a Norfolk lad on Sunday morning at 2:10 am in the area of Blair Road and Riverside Run Drive, reports Charles County Sheriff's spokesman Craig Renner. The kid was beaten about the head and was relieved of $35 and a bottle of cologne.

Leonardtown Woman Falls For Shopping Center Swindle

WALDORF --- Police have been issuing warnings lately about the con games played by Gypsies and others where they approach a senior citizen or others and play out a scheme in which one person tells the targeted victim that they have found a large amount of cash and if they will ante up some cash of their own in good faith, that later they will split the found money with them. But the victim is always left holding a bag of shredded newspapers while they never see their money again.

Charles County Sheriff's Sgt. Karl Hense reports that a black female approached a 40-year-old Leonardtown woman with the scheme at the Giant Food parking lot in Waldorf on April 12th. The scam was successful in that the victim put up a large amount of cash in an effort to receive half of $100,000 worth of foreign currency but the con artist took off with the loot.

Police describe the suspect as being about 30 to 40 years of age, about 5'4", medium build, with dark skin and hair, wearing a black and white angled striped dress, brown jacket and shoes. The crook was in a dark green sedan with another person. Calls can be made to Sgt. Hense at 301-932-7777.

Cop Ends Pleasure Trip

WALDORF --- Charles County Sheriff's Patrol Officer R. S. Zink arrested George E Patten, 39, of Waldorf, at 5:45 am on Friday after police had received several citizen complaints about a man who was masturbating in public on St. Mark's Drive in Waldorf. Officer Zink arrived to find Patten's shortcomings in full view and put the collar on him, taking him to jail where he could keep the beat until he faced the music before a District Court Commissioner.

The Diaper Burglar Charged In Charles

WALDORF --- The retired Air Force Tech Sgt. who has been charged with burglary of homes in Upper Marlboro, where he took photos of children and stole their soiled diapers, has been charged in connection with as many as 17 incidents in Charles County.

Sheriff's Detective B. Fiore is investigating Charles Olin Hamilton, 39, and charges are expected. Hamilton was also reported by police to have had thousands of kiddie porn photos and soiled diapers stored in a St. Mary's County storage locker, which police raided two weeks ago.

Calvert Deputies Save Man's Life

HALLOWING POINT --- A 31-year-old Prince Frederick man intent on throwing himself off the Benedict Bridge was saved by Calvert Sheriff's Deputies who talked the man into surrendering.

Calvert Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. William Soper reports that on April 10th at 10:52 pm, deputies responded to the Rt. 231 bridge over the Patuxent River to find a visibly upset man standing on the river side of the bridge rail ready to jump.

While the deputies were waiting for a negotiator and a rescue team to respond, the man was coaxed into surrendering.

Teen Gang Captured In Broome's Island Burglaries

BROOMES ISLAND -- Calvert Sheriff's Criminal Investigations Commander Lt. Thomas Buckler and Detective Michael Moore concluded an four month long investigation into a break-in which took place at Stoney's Restaurant on Broome's Island in December and another such burglary earlier this month, with the arrest of three local juvenile delinquents.

According to Calvert Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. William Soper, the three teen-boppers were released to their parents after their arrest on April 11th. Other burglaries have taken place in the same area and more arrests are expected, report police.

Two Charged In Looting Lusby Homes

LUSBY --- Calvert Sheriff's Detectives Dave McDowell and Rick McCourt arrested Shawn Patrick Hooper and a 17-year-old girl and charged them with burglarizing several area homes as well as the Frying Pan Restaurant.

Booze and loot from the robberies were found in the residences of the pair, reports Calvert Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. William Soper.

The suspects allegedly admitted that they broke into the restaurant, report police, and booze from the establishment was found in their homes.

Televisions, stereos, household goods and other material stolen amounted to over $4,500, say police.

Heart Monitor Taken In Theft

CHESAPEAKE BEACH --- Criminals have no heart for anyone and police report that some local heathen broken into a car parked on H Street in Chesapeake Beach on Sunday and stole a heart monitor, along with tennis shoes, a gym bag and car speakers, reports Calvert Sheriff's Deputy First Class R. Naughton.

Two Critically Injured In Wreck

PRINCE FREDERICK --- A crash on Rt. 4 near the Fox Run Shopping Center on Friday sent two St. Leonard residents to a shock trauma center in critical condition.

Calvert Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. William Soper reports that Marie Darlene Bankhead, 39, and her 17-year-old passenger were flown from the scene by Maryland State Police Med-Evac helicopter to P. G. Shock Trauma Center.

Bankhead was reportedly making a legal left turn on a green light when Olivia Gail Vidotto, 34, of St. Leonard, ran a red light on Rt. 4 at Fox Run Blvd. and struck Bankhead's vehicle, according to Deputy Chris Sloane.

Fast Cop Nabs Burglars

LUSBY --- Calvert Deputy C. H. Spriggs' rapid response to a call indicating a burglary was in process on H. G. Truman Road resulted in the arrest of the two burglars.

Upon arrival at the house being robbed the detectives surprised the burglars inside the house. Both were arrested: one was a 17-year old juvenile and therefore cannot be identified, but the other was 19-year old Shawn Patrick Hooper of Lusby.

The adult was taken to the District Court Commissioner. The juvenile w victims car then fled the scene. Witness observed a blue four-door sedan travelling in the vicinity shortly before the accident. An investigation will follow and persons having relevant information are asked to contact the sheriff's office at 410-535-2800.

Drunk Driver Rear-ends Police Car, Injures Deputy

PRINCE FREDERICK --- Calvert County DFC R. McCourt was injured when Reginald Benjamin Henson rear-ended his vehicle on Route 4 south of Commerce Lane, Prince Frederick.

McCourt arrested Harrison for driving while drunk and failing to control speed to avoid collision. Harrison was transported to the Sheriff's office for processing. Dfc. McCourt was transported to The Calvert County Memorial hospital for injuries he sustained in the collision. McCourt was treated at the hospital and released.

(Watch out for that extra special topping!)

CHESAPEAKE BEACH --- DFC Naughton and Bomgardner responded to a 911 call and proceeded to the Domino Pizza Chesapeake Station at Chesapeake Beach to investigate suspicious activity.

The deputies were met by a male employee who invited the duo into the store to confirm the report. A strong odor of marijuana was noted in the area of the office area of the store where the detectives arrested William Chin, 35, of Bowie; Karea Rene Osburn, 24, of Waldorf and a female juvenile for possession of CDS and possession of paraphernalia.

Chin admitted that he was smoking marijuana and produced a clear bag containing suspected marijuana with an estimated street value of $960. A search of the juvenile revealed a quantity of marijuana valued at approximately $20. All three were transported to the sheriff's office to be charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

The juvenile was charged on youth report and released.

Unknown Burglars Strike Again

LUSBY --- Unknown burglars forced entry into a model home of Gray Enterprises in the Cove Point West sub-division and stole items, and ransacked the residence. There are no suspects at this time Detective Dave McDowell reported. This case under investigation..

Burglars Steal Booze and Cash

CHESAPEAKE BEACH --- Calvert Deputy Roscoe Jones reports that an unknown suspect(s) cut through a basement window to gain access to the interior of the home of Meryl and Kimberly McCann. The intruders stole a bottle of alcohol and a large amount of US currency.

Boats Burgled

ST. LEONARD --- Some time between 7 P.M.. and6 A.M. on April 7, unknown suspects forced entry into three boats at Boat Dock Street, St. Leonard Shores and stole property from all three valued at $3,000 according to a police reported filed by Detective Dave McDowell who said the case was under investigation.

Car Robbed and Damaged

LUSBY --- The automobile of David Houghton , of Austin Lane, was robbed and damaged in the early hours of the morning, according to Deputy W. Parrot.

Three Juveniles Arrested

HUNTINGTOWN --- A complaint from the Huntingtown Elementary School of a suspicious vehicle led to charges being made  against three juveniles.

Reporting officer Sergeant Sheila Welling stopped the   suspicious vehicle on Estate Drive and found four male  juveniles inside the car. A homemade smoking device was found  under the right rear passenger seat. The passenger was charged  with possession of CDS and possible possession of paraphernalia.

Another of the juveniles was charged with possession of alcohol.

The driver was charged with violation of provision license restriction.

Outboard Motor Stolen, Police Seek Suspects

SOLOMON'S ISLAND --- Sometime during the 5th and 6th of April an outboard motor was stolen from S. Hale of Langley Lane.

The motor was described by Deputy R. L. Woodburn as being a 1994 Johnson Ocean Runner 200 HP, V6, white in color. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriffs office at 410-535-2800.

Crime Victim Wrestles BB Gun Away From Punk

Local dirtbag was lucky this victim wasn't armed as he would have been justified in blowing away would-be robber  

LEXINGTON PARK -- A 53-year-old man who, with his wife and child, was unloading their luggage from their car at a Lexington Park motel on Friday evening beat away an attack by a masked robber.

State Police report that a black male in his late teens or early 20's approached the man and brandished a gun, demanding money. But when the victim saw that the gun was merely a BB gun he fought off his attacker and took the gun away from the robber, getting hit twice in the head in the process.

The punk was described as wearing a gray ski mask, dressed all in dark clothing, dark shoes about 160 pounds and 5'8" tall. Trooper First Class Pete Spaulding of the Leonardtown Barracks is investigating the attempted robbery which took place outside of the Days Inn, a particularly well-lighted Lexington Park motel.

This is the first such robbery attempt at that location in four years as the owner provides off-duty deputies working security, although it is not known where the deputy was at the time of the incident.

ASSAULT/HARASSMENT: 3/21-26/99 unknown times: During March, Herman Daniel Edmonds, Jr., 30, of Waldorf, shoved a 28-year-old woman down  njuring her back. Edmond began repeatedly calling her and following her around Waldorf. He was served with a Criminal

Summons charging him with 2nd Degree Assault, Harassment and Telephone Misuse. PO2 W.J.

Donley III was the charging officer.

THEFT: 4/1-2/99 11:00 p.m. - 11:00 a.m. A Honda ATV was removed from the backyard of a Bryans Road residence. The ATV is described as a 1991 blue and red Honda four trax, valued at over $300. The ATV displays vehicle identification number JH3TE1305MK306544. POI M.R. Davidson is continuing this investigation.

Teen Girls Become Burglars

WALDORF ---  4/5/99 1:30 p.m. A 17-year-old La Plata girl and a 16-year-old Waldorf girl entered a garage in the 8100 block of Poorhouse Road by breaking a side window. Once inside the girls stole a jar half full of change. Both girls fled the scene in a vehicle; however, they were stopped

and apprehended in White Plains.

The value of the currency is over $300. The girls were arrested and charged as juveniles with 2nd Degree Burglary and Theft over $300. They were subsequently released to their parents, pending action by juvenile authorities. POI R.M. Taylor, Jr., was the arresting officer.

Fights and Gunshots Bring Police

WALDORF --- On Apr. 5 at approximately 10:00 p.m. Charles County Sheriff's Officers responded to an address on the 9400 block of Jay St. in Waldorf in reference to a report of a fight and shots fired.

Investigation revealed that two groups of people were involved in a fight when unknown suspects produced a handgun and shotgun and fired several shots.

The suspects then fled in a white station wagon. During the course of the fight several vehicles were damaged, and property inside the vehicles was reported stolen. Damage to the vehicles was estimated in excess of $300.00. The suspects are described as a black male, 18-25 years old, 5'7"-5'9", between 150 and 170 pounds; and a white male, 6'0", 150 pounds, with dark hair.

POI J.A. Burroughs is continuing this investigation. Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to call the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-7777.

THEFT: On Apr. 5 PO2 R.E. Glover responded to Hecht's in St. Charles Town Center for a report of two shoplifters in custody. Investigation revealed that a store security guard observed two Clinton females, ages 16 and 15, remove several pieces of merchandise and enter a dressing

room. The suspects then left the store wearing the items without paying for the merchandise. The suspects were detained by store security. A search of the suspects conducted by Ofc. Glover revealed several bags of suspected CDS-marijuana and suspected CDS paraphernalia. The juveniles were arrested, charged with Possession of CDS-marijuana and Theft Under $300.00,

and released to their parents.

VIOLATION OF EX PARTE:

WALDORF: On Apr. 5 at 10:39 p.m. Anthony Maurice Edelen, 34, of Waldorf was arrested for violating an Ex Parte/Protective Order after entering the residence of a 26-year-old

Waldorf woman and failing to vacate the residence. Edelen was also being sought on two

outstanding warrants. After being arrested, Edelen was incarcerated at the Charles County

Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner. POI J.A.

Puffenbarger investigated..

Another Heathen Attack On St.  Mikes' In Ridge

RIDGE (4/6/99) -- On March 25, Tpr. Otwell responded to St. Michael's Church in Ridge for a reported attempted theft. Sometime on March 24, unknown suspect(s) attempted to pry open two collection boxes at St. Michael's Church in Ridge. Tpr. Otwell is conducting an investigation.  The church has been under constant attack by local thieves in recent weeks.

Mailbox Broken From Post

ST. INIGOES -- On March 26, Tpr. Koch responded to a residence in St. Inigoes for a reported theft. Investigation revealed that Florence Douglas and her family were preparing to left their residence when she observed a vehicle pull up to her mailbox and pull the mailbox from the post. The suspects fled in the vehicle. Tpr. Koch attempted to locate the suspects, but to no avail. Investigation is continuing by Tpr. Koch.

Vehicle Damaged

LEXINGTON PARK -- On March 26, Thomas Duclos of Lexington Park, reported that someone chipped the paint on his vehicle and scratched the fender. Tpr. Morris is investigating the incident.

Drunk Driver Wasn't Strapped In For Joyride

LEXINGTON PARK -- On March 27, Tpr. Koch stopped a vehicle in Lexington Park for a seat belt violation. The driver, Robert S. Proctor, 33, of Lexington Park, was subsequently charged with driving while intoxicated. A search incident to arrest revealed a knife in the vehicle. Proctor was charged with possession of a concealed weapon. He was incarcerated in the Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

More Mailbox Bingo

LEONARDTOWN -- On March 27, Tpr. Morris responded to a residence in Leonardtown for a destruction of property. Investigation revealed that sometime between March 26 and March 27, three mailboxes were damaged on Brown Road in Leonardtown. Investigation is continuing by Tpr. Morris.

Lock It Up

CALIFORNIA -- Sometime between March 27 and March 28, unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked vehicle and removed a Pioneer tape player and sunglasses. Tpr. Otwell is conducting an investigation.

Purse Stolen From Vehicle At Monk's Inn

ST. INIGOES -- Susane Norris reported that on March 26, unknown suspect(s) entered her vehicle and removed her purse. The vehicle was parked at Monk's Inn in St. Inigoes at the time of the theft. Tpr. Rosado is continuing the investigation.

Burglar Cleaned Out Home

SCOTLAND -- On March 27, Tfc. Leas responded to a residence in Scotland for a reported theft. The victim reported that sometime between March 19 and March 27, unknown suspect(s) broke into their residence and stole property valued at $6,000. Tfc. Tyer of the Criminal Investigation Division is conducting an investigation.

No Return Equals Arrest

LEXINGTON PARK -- On March 29, Tpr. Vanhoy arrested Jermaine E. Dyson, 22, of Lexington Park, for unauthorized use. On March 25, Dyson borrowed William Marks' vehicle and failed to return the vehicle. Dyson was located on March 29 at a residence in Great Mills, charged and incarcerated in the Detention Center pending a bond review. The vehicle was returned to Marks.

Crack Attack

WALDORF -- On March 27, a vehicle traveling eastbound on MD Rt. 6 at MD Rt. 488, was stopped for a traffic violation. A computer check revealed a MVA pick-up order on the tags displayed on the vehicle. A passenger in the vehicle was acting suspicious and when he was asked to exit the vehicle, drug paraphernalia was observed in plain view. Curtis Randolph Jackson, 38, of Bryans Road, was arrested and a search of his person, incident to arrest, revealed a smoking device with suspected crack cocaine. Mr. Jackson was charged with possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. He was incarcerated in the Charles County Detention Center pending a bond review. Cpl. G. Black conducted this investigation.

Untaged

WALDORF -- On March 24, a pick-up truck owned by Michael Collin Courtillet, 38, of Waldorf, had the Maryland tags, 79C758, stolen while it was parked on Wicklow Court. The tags are valued at $10. Tpr. B. Tucker is conducting this investigation.

Man Burns Alive In Crash

Third Fatal In Week in St. Mary's County

CHARLOTTE HALL --- (3/29/99) --- A man who's car was hit from behind while he was stopped at a red light on Rt. 5 in Charlotte Hall on Monday afternoon was burned alive when he became trapped in the blazing wreck.

St. Mary's Deputy James Jones reports the victim was Bobby Augustine Young, 62, of southeast Washington.   He was hit by John Frederick Spalding, 64, of Leonardtown.

"The car burst into flames when it was hit, the gas tank ruptured and several people on the scene tried to help, one person was pulling him through a window but couldn't get him out," said Dep. Jones.

Another person tried to extinquish the blaze with a hand-held fire extinquisher but wasn't successful due to the ruptured gas tank of the car feeding the fire.

The 1987 Chevy Chevette operated by the victim was shoved forward through the intersection of Oaks Road and Rt. 5, about 150 feet, where the car stopped and burned. The striking vehicle was a 1988 Chevy station wagon. That car suffered a severely damaged front end but the driver escaped with relatively minor injuries.

Dep. Jones reports that the striking driver will be charged following discussions with the State's Attorney's Office.  The crash took place at 1:27 pm and was investigated by Deputy Jones and Deputy First Class Mark Clark.

St. Mary's Deputy James Jones spays paint to mark position of car which still contains charged remains of dead driver.   

ST. MARY'S TODAY photo

California: Woman Charged With First Degree Murder after Getting Out On Bail On 2nd Degree Charge
Victoria's Grant residents had opposed substation of rescue squad; now will they want a police station?

Maryland State Police Detective Shelly Wahlgren, left,   escorts Leslie Juanita Carroll, charged in Joseph Tyrone Maddox's murder, to jail.

ST. MARY'S TODAY photo

LEXINGTON PARK --- A California woman was charged with the murder of a St. Mary's County man with whom she lived after she allegedly stabbed the man following discovering that he had spent the night at their home with another woman.

State Police Sgt. Gary Klos reports that multiple charges were placed against Leslie Juanita Carroll, 32, in connection with murder of Joseph Tyrone Maddox, 35, of Great Mills.

Carroll, Maddox's girlfriend, reportedly told police that the stabbing was accidental, that she was holding a knife where she was working in the kitchen and she turned around suddenly as he came towards her, a scenario which police detectives didn't believe.

Sources report that Maddox had been out with friends at Cadillac Jacks, a Lexington Park nightclub. Police say that Maddox spent the night with another woman, Amber Jean Strickland, 20, of Lusby, and the pair was discovered around 7 a.m. by Carroll.   Other sources report that Maddox had caught Carroll with another man.

Maddox and Carroll who had been living together at their residence on Meadowlark Lane in Victoria's Grant, argued after she confronted him about him being at their house with Strickland.

Before the stabbing took place, police say that Maddox told Strickland to leave the house and wait for him in his truck.

When Maddox came outside he told Strickland that he had been stabbed and to lock the door to the truck. Maddox forgot to lock his door and Carroll came outside to continue the attack, report police. Carroll entered the truck through Maddox's door and reached over Maddox in an attempt to stab Strickland.

At that point, State Police report that Strickland fled from the truck to a neighbor's house to call for help.

Trooper Steven Koch arrived at the house at 7:39 am to find Maddox unconscious in the front seat of his truck. Emergency personnel were called to the scene and transported Maddox to St. Mary's Hospital where he died.

After a day-long investigation by State Police detective Shelley R. Wahlgren the following charges were placed against Carroll: 2nd degree murder of Maddox; manslaughter and 1st degree assault on Maddox; attempted 2nd degree murder, reckless endangerment on Strickland.

Sgt. Klos reports that police had not been called to the residence for any previous domestic violence complaints.

The murder took place in a new rambler at the end of a neat-as-pin cul-de-sac in the pricey Victoria's Grant subdivision located off of Buck Hewitt Road between Great Mills and California.

Several residents of Victoria's Grant waged a vigorous campaign recently with the Board of Appeals to deny the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad a substation at the edge of the subdivision.

The Victoria's Grant residents were claiming that rescue squads would roar near the neighborhood, piercing their sleep with sirens and endangering the lives of their children while lowering their property values.

The Board of Appeals ruled last week that the rescue squad could be granted a conditional use of the property they are seeking to buy.

This past weekend, it appears the biggest danger to the Victoria's Grant community of $180,000 homes comes from within.

Besides needing a quick response from rescue squads, the subdivision might want to do all they can to get a police substation and perhaps they might even need a morgue if Saturday's murder becomes a trend.

Police say that Maddox was a local commercial waterman. Until recently, Maddox reportedly resided in St. Clement's Shores until he sold his house and moved to Victoria's Grant.