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St. Mary's
State Police Tipline 301-475-2936


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The Thin Blue Line

Southern Maryland
Police Beat


 

Lying about Name, Drugs

LEXINGTON PARK — On 3/13/04, at 4:54 p.m., TFC C. A. Tyer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle on Route 235 in Lexington Park. The operator, Walter J. Ford Jr., 18, of Lexington Park, was subsequently arrested for giving a false name. A search incident to arrest revealed a bag containing suspect marijuana in the vehicle and a plastic wrap containing suspected crack cocaine on the ground at the passenger’s door. Mr. Ford and Thomas W. George, 33, both of Lexington Park, were arrested and charged with possession of CDS. They were incarcerated in the Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Man Charged with Punching Out Woman,
Running Over Her Foot with Vehicle

PINEY POINT — On 3/15/04, at 2:00 p.m. TFC M. D. McLean arrested David L. Musumeci, 42, of Piney Point for violating a protective order and 2nd degree assault on a 41 year old female. Mr. Musumeci is accused of punching the female in the face and then running over her foot with his vehicle on the shoulder of Piney Point Road in Piney Point. The female was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital by the Valley Lee Rescue Squad where she was treated for lacerations and contusions. Mr. Musumeci was incarcerated in the Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

State Transportation Official Charged with Theft
BALTIMORE --- Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today the indictment of Edward Allen Schwarz, of 225 Bright Oaks Drive, Bel Air, Maryland by the Baltimore County Grand Jury. Schwarz, 55, was indicted on six counts of felony theft and six counts of fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary in connection with his responsibilities as the Equipment Officer for the Maryland Transportation Authority. It is alleged that between October 28, 1997 and March 30, 1999, Schwarz stole monies from his employer, totaling approximately $12,000, and converted the monies to his own personal and business use. While an indictment or charge is merely an accusation of wrongdoing and every individual is presumed innocent unless the State proves the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, felony theft, if proved, carries a maximum penalty of 15 years and up to a $1,000.00 fine for each count. Fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary, if proved, carries a maximum penalty of 5 years. The case was investigated by the Maryland State Police and will be prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Investigations Division.


Cat Fight at Spring Ridge

SPRING RIDGE — On 03/17/04 at 1430 hours Deputy John S. Logalbo responded to a reported fight at Spring Ridge Middle School. Deputy Logalbo’s investigation revealed that two (2) female students, both 13 years old from Lexington Park, engaged in a mutual physical altercation while boarding the School Buses. No one was injured. Deputy Logalbo arrested both juveniles, charged them with Second Degree Assault and Disruption of School Activities, and released them to a parent.

Burglars Playing Around

LEXINGTON PARK — DFC Kevin D. Somerville is investigating a Burglary to a Lexington Park residence which occurred on 03/17/04 during the daytime. Approximately $250.00 in "Playstation" paraphernalia was stolen.
The culprit(s) entered through an unlocked window.

Stolen Tag

HOLLYWOOD — Cpl. Deborah L. Milam investigated the theft of a Maryland registration plate from a car parked overnight at a Hollywood Service Station. Loss is $40.00.

Wanted in PG

PRINCE GEORGE’S On 03/17/04 at 1520 hours Cpl. Deborah L. Milam arrested Darryl Donnell Adams, 37, of Clements, on an open Prince George’s County District Court Bench Warrant for Failure to Appear in court on 03/12/04 on charges of Driving While Suspended. Adams was incarcerated to await bond review.

Dirty Trick

MECHANICSVILLE — Cpl. Deborah L. Milam is investigating a Property destruction which occurred at a Mechanicsville residence sometime between 03/12/04 and 03/15/04. Unknown culprit(s) caused $45.00 in damage to Lori Rison’s 1997 Dodge truck by cutting three (3) spark plug wires.

ATV Stolen

HOLLYWOOD — Cpl. John E. Payne is investigating the theft of a 2002 Suzuki Quad Master 4-wheel All Terrain Vehicle from a Hollywood residence which occurred sometime between 03/13/04 and 03/16/04. The 50cc ATV was taken from an open garage in the back yard of the residence. Also taken by the unknown culprit(s) was a child-sized
helmet. Total loss value is $2750.00.

Man Pinned Trooper, Went to Jail

LA PLATA -- On 03/10/04 11:05 p.m. State Police responded to the 300 block of Prospect Street for a malicious destruction of property in progress. A male and female were observed arguing and they had to be separated.
Michael Allen Reed, 23, of La Plata, exited a residence and became
disorderly. The male subject was attempting to leave when TFC S. Bolger
ordered him not to.  Reed told the subject to leave, and as Tpr. J.
Zimmerman attempted to go after the subject, Reed stepped in front
of Tpr. Zimmerman and held him back.  Reed was arrested and charged with second degree assault. He was incarcerated in the Charles County Detention Center pending a bond review. Tpr. J. Zimmerman made the
arrest.

On 3-2, TFC Davis responded to the Prince Frederick K-Mart for a shoplifting complaint. Investigation revealed that Amy Marie Blount, 25, of Lusby, exited the store without paying for merchandise. She was transported to the Prince Frederick Barrack and charged with theft (under $500). After processing, she was incarcerated in the CCDC to await a commissioner’s hearing.

On 3-5, TPR Whipp responded to the Prince Frederick Wal-Mart for a shoplifting complaint. Investigation revealed that a 14-year-old female, of Owings, had concealed merchandise on her person and attempted to leave the store without paying for it. She was charged with theft (under $500) and released to a parent.

On 3-5, TPR Whipp responded to the Prince Frederick Wal-Mart for a shoplifting complaint. Investigation revealed that Lisa Janine Underwood, 32, of Port Republic, had exited the store without paying for merchandise. She was charged with theft (under $500) on a criminal citation and released.

On 3-5, 12:37 AM, TFC Bennett stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. Upon contact with the operator, Henry Jackson Hardy, Jr., 43, of Prince Frederick, TFC Bennett observed a shotgun lying on the floorboard of the vehicle. After checking to see if the shotgun was loaded, TFC Bennett found a loaded handgun under the driver’s seat. Mr. Hardy was transported to the Prince Frederick Barrack and charged with DUI and transporting a handgun (concealed deadly weapon). After processing, he was incarcerated in the CCDC to await a commissioner’s hearing.

On 3-6, TPR Whipp responded to the Prince Frederick Wal-Mart for a shoplifting complaint. Investigation revealed that a 13-year-old male, of Owings, had exited the store without paying for merchandise. He was charged with theft (under $500) and released to a guardian.

On 3-10, 2:22 AM, Rt. 4, Dunkirk, TPR Bowling stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. Upon contact with the operator, William Samuel Sevier, 19, of Dunkirk, TPR Bowling detected the odor of suspected marijuana. A search was conducted and suspected marijuana was located in the vehicle. Mr. Sevier was transported to the Prince Frederick and charged with possession of marijuana. After processing, he was incarcerated in the CCDC to await a commissioner’s hearing. TPR Bowling was assisted at the scene by DFC Foote, CCSO.

Bad Breath Pete
CALIFORNIA — On February 18th, 2004, St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Deputy John W. Cusic responded to a single vehicle accident on Three Notch Road in the area of Mercedes Drive. The operator of the vehicle, Peter Torgerson, was the sole vehicle occupant and suffered no injuries. During a field interview police report that Dfc. Cusic detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from the Suspect’s breath. Torgerson displayed other signs of being intoxicated. He failed the roadside tests and was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Torgerson failed to remain right of the centerline, struck a cement median strip and crossed over to oncoming traffic and was found at fault for this accident.

Brass Knuckles Were for What?
PARK HALL — On February 18th, 2004, St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Daniel D. Alioto charged Ryan Gregory Kessler for possession of a deadly weapon. Sgt. Alioto conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being operating by Kessler in the Park Hall area for speeding. A computer check through the Motor Vehicle Administration revealed that the had a suspended license. A search revealed a set of brass knuckle inside the vehicle readily accessible. Kessler was jailed awaiting a Preliminary Hearing in the District Court.

Party Crowd Will See The Judge
CALIFORNIA — On February 142004,  at 3:38 a.m., Tpr. R. B. Rezza initiated a traffic stop. Upon contacting the occupants, Tpr. Rezza observed alcohol in the vehicle and detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from the driver’s breath.
As a result, Jessica R. Dugan, 18 years and Jamie J. Bly, 19 years, from Leonardtown, were issued Civil Citations for a person under the age of 21 possessing an alcoholic beverage.
The driver, Melissa A. Bellis, 19 years, of Leonardtown, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and was issued a Civil Citation for a person under the age of 21 possessing an alcoholic beverage.

Pirates Sought

LA PLATA — On February 9, 2004,  at 3:45 p.m., Officer R. Snyder responded to the 5200 block of Gwynn Road in La Plata for the recovered property report. Investigation revealed a previously reported stolen 1990 Regal brand Ambassador 233XL cabin cruiser boat and boat trailer had been found. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Dept. at 301-743-2222.

HOLLYWOOD —- On February 19, 2004 at 1950 hours, DFC David M. Yingling arrested Carlos Yates, 30, of Hollywood on an outstanding Charles County District Court Warrant for Theft Under $500.00 and Bad Checks.

Burglary Charged
LEXINGTON PARK — On February 19, 2004 at 1840 hours DFC Michael D. Peacher arrested Michael Lee Beall, 34, of Lexington Park via Circuit Court Criminal Summons for previous District Court charges of felony Burglary, Property Destruction under $500.00, and two counts of Second Degree Assault. Beall was issued a court date and released on his own recognizance.

Not His Vehicle
LUSBY --- On February 18 2004, at 9:30 PM, in the Chesapeake Ranch Ests., Lusby, Tony Izzio Moore, 48, of Lusby, was arrested by TFC Carter on an outstanding warrant and summons. Both documents charged Mr. Moore with theft (over $500), unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle theft. The warrant/summons were issued for two incidents that occurred in December, 2003. After processing, he was incarcerated in the CCDC to await a commissioner’s hearing.

Burglary and Theft Alleged
LEXINGTON PARK — On February 19, 2004 at 2200 hours DFC Michael D. Peacher arrested Donald Taylor III, 23, of Lexington Park via Circuit Court Criminal Summons for previous District Court charges of felony Burglary, Theft under $500.00, and Property Destruction under $500.00. Taylor was issued a court date and released on his own recognizance.

 Burglars Strike Charles County Homes

INDIAN HEAD — Sometime between 5:30 a.m. on February 5 and 3:30 p.m. on February 8, 2004,   suspects(s) forced entry into a residence on Dove Tree Court in Indian Head, stole jewelry and a CD player and fled the scene. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Office at 301-743-2222. Officer R. Snyder is investigating.

HUGHESVILLE — Sometime between 3:30 p.m. on February 11 and 8 a.m. on February 12, 2004, suspect(s) entered a home under construction in the 12800 block of Grosstown Road in Hughesville, stole a refrigerator and left the scene. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-2222. Officer L. Elliot is investigating.

WALDORF — Sometime between 12:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on February 11, 2004 suspect(s) forced entry into a residence in the 6300 block of Lemur Court in Waldorf, stole a digital camera and fled the scene. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-7777. Officer A. Schwab is investigating.

Trooper Injured When Motorist
Made Last Minute Decision to Buy Bread
MECHANICSVILLE ---  Maryland State Trooper First Class Eric Strucko was injured on Wednesday when he crashed into a vehicle which suddenly cut him off when the driver changed lanes without warning in order to come to a stop in the fast lane so she could make a left turn into a bread outlet on Rt. 5.  See more details in print edition....
Great Mills Teen Dead When Pal Hit Pole
SOLOMON'S ---  A Great Mills youth was killed on Tuesday when a vehicle in which he was riding left the roadway at Rt. 4 and Patuxent Blvd. and struck a pole.  Martin Herbert Jr. was killed and William Douglas, 21, the driver, was injured. 
McKay Gets Nod from Governor for Critical Areas Post but Appointment is Bound to be of Short Duration
GREAT MILLS ---  Sen. Roy Dyson (D. St. Mary's, Calvert) had plenty to say about the selection of Commissioner Tommy McKay (R. Hollywood) for a seat on the state's Critical Area Commission.  Dyson is cochairman of the General Assembly Committee which reigns over the commission and must approve of the appointment, which he doesn't.  See more on newsstands on Sundayy.

 

Guyther Quits Just Before Being Canned
LEONARDTOWN --- In order to escape the axe of "reorganization" St. Mary's Permits Chief Robin Guyther quit his post on Monday, telling friends he is planning to start up his own consulting business charging citizens for obtaining permits from the very office he has been supervising.   More on newsstands on Sunday.
Prisoner Hangs Self in Calvert Jail
PRINCE FREDERICK --- The Sheriff of Calvert County reports that a prisoner hung himself in the county's jail in Barstow last Friday morning.  According to Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ricky Thomas, the man, identified as Robert Thornton Harvey, 27, of Prince Frederick, used bed sheets to hang himself.  Harvey was serving a sentence for assault, reports Sgt. Thomas.
Harvey's body was discovered at 6:54 am and an investigation of the death was begun immediately by deputies who were dispactched  to the jail.
Textbood Spending Drops 45% During Same Period St. Mary's Schools Budget Increased by One Third
See story by John Lauricella, now on newsstands
Calvert Prisoner Brought Drugs to Jail
PRINCE FREDERICK ---  Calvert Sheriff's Deputies brought a K-9 drug scanning dog to the county jail on Monday, June 16th for a visit and the dog alerted on a prisoner who apparently couldn't get enough drugs on the outside on work release and brought some back into the jail.  Sgt. Ricky Thomas will have details on this story later in the week.
Man Refused to Cough Up Money to Robber
LEXINGTON PARK --- A patron of the Lowes Movie Theatre in Lexington Park was walking to his vehicle following attending a movie on June 5th just after midnight and was accosted by a man demanding his money.  The patron refused and got into his vehicle as the robber beat the living hell out of his hood and driver's side door.   The punk with prison as his destiny in life was last seen getting into a black Dodge.  He was described as a black male about 18 years of age.   Damage was set at $500.   Trooper M. S. Newman is conducting an investigation.


Massive Search Ends as Kid Turns Himself In
PORT REPUBLIC ---  Maryland State Police brought out all the big guns of search parties on Tuesday, says Sgt. Al Paton of the Prince Frederick Barracks.  Dogs, helicopters, search parties of volunteers, police and firefighters helped search the woods and fields of the area around Broomes Island Road for a missing child.  Around 6 pm, the boy showed up at a house on Grays Road and residents there called police and reported he was at their home.  Sgt. Paton said the child was okay and was being taken to Calvert Memorial Hospital for a routine checkup.
P
hony Calls from Fake Cop, Says Sheriff's Department
LEONARDTOWN --- St. Mary's Sheriff's Deputy Mike Gardiner reports that a fake deputy is out to fleece residents with baloney calls.
"It has come to the attention of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office that an unknown male is telephoning citizens claiming to be a Deputy Sheriff," said Cpl. Michael Gardiner.  " This unidentified person is soliciting information about children in the household regarding a child "Identikit" service. The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office iterates that there is no such program within the agency and urges anyone contacted by this unknown person to report this incident to the Sheriff's Office immediately."
Easter Monday Stabbing
LUSBY ---  On the traditional day many take baskets from Easter to Washington for the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn a Calvert man allegedly carved up his girlfriend instead of a ham. On April 21, 2003 units from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 5000 Block of Garrison Road, St. Leonard, Md. for the reported domestic disturbance. Upon arrival on scene deputies learned that the suspect Alvin S. Parker had become involved in an argument with the victim. The victim alleged that the suspect cut her with a knife. The victim suffered a laceration to her person. The suspect was placed under arrest for Second-Degree Assault, and Disorderly Conduct. The victim was treated and released from Calvert Memorial Hospital.
Open and Shut Case
CHAPTICO --- On 4/7/03, between 0900 hours and 1530 hours, unknown suspect(s) broke into a residence on Lori Lane in Chaptico by prying open a door.
Nothing appeared to have been stolen from the residence.  Tpr. A. J.
Rossignol is conducting this investigation.
Love Scratches?
On 4/8/03, between 1930 hours and 2115 hours, unknown suspect(s) damaged
a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart Store in
California.  The suspect(s) used a sharp object and scratched the trunk
causing $100 in damages.  Tpr. A. J. Rossignol is conducting this
investigation.
Accused of Smacking Woman
On 4/9/03, at 1300 hours, an arrest warrant for 2nd degree assault was
served on James A. Lawrence, Jr., 24 years, of Charlotte Hall.  Mr.
Lawrence is accused of assaulting a female at a residence in Charlotte
Hall on 4/7/03.  Mr. Lawrence was incarcerated in the Detention Center
pending a bond hearing.  TFC J. D. Vanhoy conducted this investigation.
No Love in Loveville
On 4/11/03, at 2320 hours, Tpr. M. W. Laney responded to a residence in
Loveville for a reported malicious destruction of property.  As a
result, Thomas E. Riche, 53 years, of Great Mills, was arrested and
charged with malicious destruction of property after damaging a vehicle
at the residence.  Damage is estimated at $100.  Mr. Riche was
incarcerated in the Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
Busted for Dealing Drugs
HOLLYWOOD --- On 4/12/03, at 0030 hours, Tpr. A. J. Rossignol initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in Hollywood.  Upon contacting the driver, Joshua D. Ummel, 18 years, of Mechanicsville, Tpr. Rossignol detected the odor of burnt
marijuana emitting from the vehicle.  A search revealed 21 grams of
suspected marijuana and a CDS smoking device containing suspected
marijuana residue.  Mr. Ummel was arrested and charged with possession
with intent to distribute CDS, possession of CDS and possession of CDS
paraphernalia.  He was incarcerated in the Detention Center pending a
bond hearing.

On 4/12/03, at 1700 hours, Tpr. J. L. Linger initiated a traffic stop on
a vehicle in Charlotte Hall.  Before pulling to the shoulder of the
road, the driver made furtive movements.  A search revealed a baggie
containing suspected marijuana and a marijuana cigarette.  A 16 year old
male from Mechanicsville was arrested and charged as a juvenile with
possession of CDS.  He was released to a relative pending action by
juvenile authorities.

On 4/12/03, at 2333 hours, Tpr. F. V. Dolinger initaited a traffic stop
on a vheicle in the area of Pin Cushon Road and Sunny Side Road in
Loveville.  The driver failed to stop and led Tpr. Dolinger and three
other Maryland State Police units on a chase which ended on Kavanaught
Road in Mechanicsville.  The driver and passenger attempted to flee on
foot but were apprehended a short time later.  The driver, Dwayne M.
Scriber, 23 years, of Mechanicsvilee, was found to be in possession of
CDS and his license was suspended.    continued On 4/12/03, at 2350
hours, Tpr. J. L. Linger initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in
California.  Upon contacting the driver, Tpr. Linger detected the odor
of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath.  The driver, Joseph
I. Dexter, 40 years, of California, was subsequently arrested and
charged with driving under the influence.  A search revealed a metal
pipe containing suspected marijuana residue and a baggie containing
suspect marijuana in the vehicle.  Mr. Dexter was charged additionally
with possession of CDS and CDS paraphernalia.  He was incarcerated in
the Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
Speed Cited as Fault in Crash, 3 Kids Hurt
WALDORF ---: On March 9 at 7:30 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's Officers responded to Hamilton Road near Floral Springs Court in Waldorf for the motor vehicle crash.Investigation revealed a 1995 Toyota Tercel driven by Arthur Persell Yant, 19, of Waldorf, was traveling northbound on Hamilton Road when it attempted to pass another vehicle traveling in front of it. The vehicle crossed the center double-yellow line and subsequently struck a 2000 Jeep Cherokee driven by Takia Cherie Holmes, 23, of Waldorf. Yant was transported to Southern Maryland Hospital for a check-up. Holmes sustained minor injuries and was also transported to Southern Maryland Hospital. A passenger in Yant's vehicle, Kenard Mario Walls, 18, of Clinton, sustained incapacitating injuries and was flown to Prince George's General Hospital. Three passengers in Holmes' vehicle also sustained incapacitating injuries; a 6-year-old Waldorf girl, a 5-month-old Waldorf girl and a 13-year-old Fort Washington boy were all transported to Southern Maryland Hospital. None of the victims' injuries were said to be life-threatening. Walls
and the 6-year-old were not wearing seat belts; all of the other occupants were properly restrained. Speed is a factor; charges are pending. Cpl. T. Huntt is investigating.
Crooks Got the Edge
BRYANS ROAD --- Sometime between 4:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. on March 7, suspects stole a yellow 4-strobe light bar off a red 1997 Ford F-250 parked in the Bryans Road Shopping Center by cutting the cable. The light bar, a Mini Edge 9000, is valued at more than $500. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. PFC E. Starnes is investigating.
Chewing on Free Candy
LA PLATA --- On March 2 at 3:30 a.m., Cpl. J. Carlson located an 11-year-old La Plata boy near the WaWa on the 5800 block of Crain Highway. Investigation revealed the boy had previously stolen candy from the WaWa. The boy was charged with Theft Under $500 via a Juvenile Offense Report and released to his mother.
Stacy & April Bear March Madness Pot Charges
On March 5 at 2:36 a.m., Officer D. Walker responded to the 2500 block of Charter Oak Drive in Waldorf for the reported suspicious vehicle. Investigation revealed the occupants, April Marie Telli, 18, of Mechanicsville, and Stacy Lynn Price, 18, of Waldorf, were in possession of marijuana. The accused were charged with Possession of Marijuana and are being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
Untalented Driver Charged with DWI
WALDORF --- On March 2 at 6:30 p.m., the Charles County Sheriff's Office received a complaint from a citizen regarding a vehicle driving erratically. Officer D. Kelly located the vehicle shortly thereafter and observed it make an unsafe lane change. Officer Kelly conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and found the driver, Joseph Garry Smoot, 39, of Bel Alton, to be intoxicated. A search of the vehicle yielded suspected marijuana. Smoot was charged with DWI and Possession of Marijuana and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.

Catfight at Mixers
WALDORF --- : On March 1 at 1:10 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers
responded to Mixers on the 2100 block of Crain Highway for the disorderly subjects.
Investigation revealed several subjects were asked to leave Mixers because they were acting disorderly. When officers arrived, Jacklyn Aleta Brown, 36, of Waldorf, was arguing with another female in the parking lot. Brown then assaulted the other woman. Brown was charged with Failure to Obey Lawful Order, Disorderly Conduct and Second Degree Assault and was released from the Charles County Detention Center on personal recognizance. Officer J. Carlson investigated.
Loco at the Choo Choo
WALDORF --- On March 1 at 12:26 a.m., PFC C. Long responded to Choo Choo's on the 3300 block of Leonardtown Road in Waldorf for the report of a disorderly subject. Investigation revealed William Kenneth Briley III, 27, of Temple Hills, became disorderly in the business and was asked to leave but refused. When PFC Long arrived, Briley refused to cooperate. After a brief struggle and with assistance from two citizens, PFC Long arrested Briley and charged him with Trespassing, Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest. Briley is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.



Children Played Nearly Naked In Snowstorm
While Mother Was Nearly Unconscious

CALLAWAY ---  State Police are investigating what caused a woman to become nearly unconscious and incoherent while her two infants were outside in the snow playing with scarcely a shred of clothes, according to Detective Sgt. Barrilone of the Maryland State Police Barracks in Leonardtown.   Sgt. Barrilone reports that a call from a neighbor at the Hunting Quarters subdivison in Callaway brought a Maryland State Trooper riding with a National Guard officer in a Humvee to the home where they found two infants outside playing with barely a stitch of clothes on.  One child, about 1 to 2 years old was wearing only a diaper and open-toed sandals while the other, about 2-3 years old, was dressed only in a jacket over pajamas and lady's shoes.  No one answered the door at the residence where a neighbor said that the children lived and police had to force their way inside.  Once inside, Troopers Lt. Brian Cedar, Cpl. William Rosado and Tpr. A. J. Rossignol found that the children's mother was nearly incoherent.  An ambulance could not make it's way into the housing area due to snow not being cleared and the troopers had to carry the woman out of the project in the Humvee to the main road where she was then transported to St. Mary's Hospital.  The children were taken to a local burger joint for nourishment and then back to the State Police Barracks for care until a Grandmother could be located.  The children are being taken care of by the grandmother while officials try to figure out what happened to the mother.

Sheriff Zylak Bringing Record Budget to Board
LEONARDTOWN ---  See this week's print edition now on newsstands detailing the huge new budget, a record in all of county history, being proposed to the St. Mary's Commissioners by Sheriff David Zylak.  The new budget for fiscal year 2004 is being proposed at a level of 30 percent over last year's approved budget. 
Too Drunk to Notice Flat Tire

WALDORF -- On December 8 at 10 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers received a lookout for an intoxicated driver traveling northbound on Leonardtown Road with a flat tire. Shortly thereafter, PFC R. Glover, Jr. located the vehicle on Mattawoman Beantown Road, near Poplar Hill Road in
Waldorf. PFC Glover conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and found the driver, Tony Lorenzo Felton, 20, of Waldorf, to be intoxicated. Felton was charged with DWI and is being held at the
Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
Gunman Scared Off, Flees from Movie Theatre Without Loot
BRYANS ROAD --- On December 7 at 10:20 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to the Indian Head Cinema on the 3400 block of Marshall Hall Road in Bryans Road for the attempted armed robbery. Investigation revealed an unknown suspect forced his way into the theater after it had closed, brandished a handgun and demanded money from the employees. The suspect heard a noise and then fled the scene without taking any money. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall, 180 lbs., 18-years-old and wearing all black clothing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. PFC W. Welch is investigating.
No Yield Bad Idea
WALDORF --- On December 7 at 6:18 p.m., a Volvo 740 GL driven by Louise Barr, 65, of Waldorf, made a left turn through a red light from southbound Route 5 onto southbound Route 205. The vehicle collided with a Ford Focus driven by William Lomax, 42, of Hughesville, that was traveling north on Route 5. The Focus subsequently collided with a Dodge Caravan stopped at the red light at Route 205 and Route 5. Neither Lomax, Barr nor the driver of the Caravan, Len Dale Gray, 38, of Waldorf, sustained any injuries. Barr was issued a citation for Failure to Yield the Right of Way on a Left Turn. PFC R. Glover, Jr. investigated.
Kid Slammed Dad to Floor
WALDORF --- On December 7 at 5:30 p.m. Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to the 3300 block of Capt. Dement Drive in Waldorf for the report of an assault. Investigation revealed a 16-year-old male pushed his 40-year-old father to the floor during an argument. The son was charged with Second Degree Assault and is being detained by the Department of Juvenile Services. PFC. R. Gover, Jr. investigated.
Charlotte Hall Woman Blew Stop Sign;
Victim Flown to Trauma Center

WALDORF --- On December 7 at 5:06 p.m., a Plymouth Voyager driven by Francis Irene Tyson, 59, of Charlotte Hall, was traveling east on Billingsley Road when it failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Billingsley Road and St. Charles Parkway. The Voyager subsequently struck a Ford Taurus traveling northbound on St. Charles Parkway. Tyson
sustained incapacitating injuries and was treated at Civista Medical Center. An 8-year-old passenger of Charlotte Hall did not sustain any injuries. The driver of the Taurus, Matthew Bowman Cornelison, 32, and a passenger, Donna Angelica Cornelison, 34, both of Brandywine, each sustained incapacitating injuries. Matthew Cornelison was flown to Prince George's
General Hospital and Donna Cornelison was transported by ambulance to Civista Medical Center. Tyson was charged with Failure to Stop at Stop Sign. POI E. Travers investigated.
Armed Gang Robs Bar; Shoots
One Customer After Robbing Patrons

GALLANT GREEN --- On December 7 at 1:12 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to Gallant Green Bar on the 14900 block of Woodville Road in Waldorf for the shooting.
Investigation revealed three unknown suspects entered the bar, brandished handguns and forced the patrons to the floor. One of the suspects struck one of the patrons, a 57-year-old man of Waldorf, with a gun. The suspects demanded money and the manager complied. As the suspects fled the scene, one of them fired several shots, striking a 57-year-old Upper Marlboro man. The suspects then fled the scene with the undisclosed amount of money. The suspects are described as males wearing black clothing and ski masks and armed with handguns. The assault victim was treated and released from Civista Medical Center and the shooting victim was flown to MedStar Hospital where he was treated and released. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222 or Det. D. Stahl at 301-609-6492 or 301-609-6496. Det. Stahl is investigating.
Wild Man Saul Sluged 2 Women
WALDORF --- On December 5 at 10:30 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to a residence on the 8000 block of Warren Drive in Waldorf for the Hang-Up 911 call. Upon arrival, officers learned Saul Joseph Kittrell, Jr., 26, of Pomfret, had an argument with two Pomfret women, ages 48 and 77. Kittrell assaulted the victims, damaged property and then fled the scene.
Kittrell was located shortly thereafter and was charged with Second Degree Assault and Destruction of Property Under $500. He is being held at the Charles County Detention Center on a $3,500 bond. Neither of the victims required medical treatment. PFC J. Carlson investigated.
Getaway Car Left Without Armed Robber; K-9 Dogs Nails Gunman Hiding in Fallen Trees Behind Safeway
LA PLATA --- On December 6 at approximately 1:55 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to the Safeway on the 6600 block of Crain Highway in La Plata for the armed robbery. Investigation revealed Teddy Lewis McCain, 43, of Gaithersburg, entered the Safeway and demanded money from an employee. The employee complied and McCain fled the scene with the undisclosed amount of money.
Patrol officers, detectives and members of the K9 unit responded to the scene for the investigation. Cpl. C. Roberts and his K9 partner Ike conducted a track from the scene which led To a wooded area behind the store. McCain was located there at approximately 2:30 p.m. and Charged with Armed Robbery and First Degree Assault. He is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
"Teamwork and astute police work led to a very quick apprehension in this incident," said Sheriff Frederick E. Davis. "All of the officers who responded to the scene demonstrated the Dedication and professionalism that has come to define the Charles County Sheriff's Office. I especially want to recognize Cpl. Roberts and Ike for their role in locating the suspect. The dogs in our K9 unit are invaluable tools to the Sheriff's Office and their success in incidents like these Is a direct reflection of the aptitude of their handlers."
Det. P. Gregory investigated.


State Police Catch Gun Shop Burglars in Western Maryland
LEONARDTOWN ---  Two suspects from Waldorf were caught in a traffic stop on Rt. 220 in Allegheny County in Western Maryland by State Trooper C. W. Miller at 1:23 am on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002.  The trooper noticed the two men in the gold Dodge Intreped were attempting to conceal items in their waistbands when he approached the car.
The two failed to obey the trooper's orders to keep their hands in plain sight, report police.  Calling for backup, the trooper, now assisted by Tfc. Lindner ordered the pair out of the car and the driver, Thaddeus Lamont Wills, 29,  was found to have a loaded and cocked gun stuck in his waistband.  Another loaded handgun was found under the driver's seat and another was found concealed in the dashboard.  Wills and his passenger, Justin Alexander Iwanicki, 25, were found to also be in the drug dealing business or perhaps just like to know the exact weight of anything as they were carrying a set of scales with them.  In addition to the scales was a bag of pot, which police say weighed 104 grams.   Police report that a bunch of tools used by burglars were also found in the car along with clothing used for concealment.  The guns were checked and were found to have been stolen in the burglary of the Southern Maryland Firearms shop on St. Andrews Church Road (Rt. 4) in Leonardtown, according to First Sgt. Mike Thompson, Assistant Barracks Commander of the Leonardtown Barracks. The homes of the two suspects were raided by State Police SWAT teams armed with search warrants.  The pair of pot pals, now cooling their heels in jail and with Iwanicki confessing to Tfc. Riley of the Leonardtown Barracks that he also committed another burglary on Christmas Eve in Charles County, can be expected to spend a lot of time in jail.  The Tackle Box gun shop in Lexington Park was the subject of a burglary attempt on Dec. 22nd when the perpetrators ran a vehicle into the back door and set off an alarm.  St. Mary's Dfc. Wayne Milam was on the scene about 30 seconds after the call was relayed through an alarm company and no entry was made, said Tackle Box owner Ken Lamb.  'Wills is being held on a $100,000 bond with a boat load of criminal charges placed against him and another ton soon to be dumped as the police accumulate more evidence.  Iwanicki was being held on $85,000 bond and he will be charged with more violations also, as various gun and drug charges are already placed.

Burglars Hit Lanham Cycle
WHITE PLAINS ---  On December 30 at 2:54 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to a commercial intrusion alarm at Lanham Cycle and Turf on Demarr Road in White Plains.
Investigation revealed unknown suspect(s) entered the business and stole more than $500 worth of property. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. POI J. Bender is investigating.
Hate on Toyota
WALDORF ---  Sometime between 5 p.m. on December 28 and 4 p.m. on December 29, unknown suspect(s) used unknown means to scratch a religiously-offensive symbol on the left rear door of a 1999 Toyota 4-Runner parked on the 2900 block of Hickory Valley Drive in Waldorf. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. POII S. Stanley is investigating.
Officers Disarm Man at Entrance to St. Charles Mall
WALDORF ---  Anyone who doesn't think that all the problems of crime in DC and PG County haven't descended upon Waldorf with the advancing minority population which came with the proliferation of townhouses and apartments can just stick their heads in the sand and whistle out their butts. On December 28 at 7:30 p.m., a citizen approached Officer D. Gross to report a man
with a gun at the Food Court entrance of the St. Charles Towne Center on the 11000 block of Mall Circle in Waldorf. Officer Gross responded to the area to investigate and located a person who matched the description of the accused. Officer Gross found the accused, Bryan Rene Powe,19, of Clinton, to be in possession of a handgun. Powe reached for the handgun and a struggle
ensued as Officer Gross and Officer C. Black, who had also responded to the scene, attempted to subdue Powe. Powe assaulted the officers but was eventually subdued. Powe was charged with Possession of a Handgun, Concealed Deadly Weapon, First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest and Reckless Endangerment and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner. Officer Gross investigated.
Not a Nice Way to Treat The Wife at Christmas
WALDORF --- On December 26 at 1:33 p.m., Officer E. Travers responded to a
residence on Sandra Court in Indian Head for the assault. Investigation revealed a 40-year-old man tied his 28-year-old wife's wrists, put paper in her mouth and left her in the residence with their three-year-old son. He then fled the scene. Officers responded and the man was located shortly thereafter and charged with False Imprisonment and Second Degree Assault and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner. Officer Travers investigated.

STOLEN VEHICLE RECOVERED: On December 27 at 2:30 p.m., Officer G. Barnhart responded to the area of Central Avenue in Waldorf for the abandoned motor vehicle. Upon arrival, Officer Barnhart recognized the vehicle as one which he had take a stolen vehicle report for earlier. The vehicle, a 1992 Ford F150 pick-up truck, blue in color, had been stolen sometime
between December 17 at 12 p.m. and December 20 at 3 p.m. by unknown suspect(s) from the 3300 block of Leonardtown Road in Waldorf. The truck was carrying three-foot-long tool boxes, white in color, which were also recovered. The truck displays the words "Condon-Reed Inc. Air conditioning" on the doors and tailgate and bears Virginia registration LXK219. Anyone with
information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301- 932-2222. Officer G. Barnhart is investigating.

DISTURBING THE PEACE: On December 27 at approximately 12:01 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to a residence on the 2600 block of Husk Place in Waldorf for the domestic disturbance. Investigation revealed Damon Andre Adams, 27, of no fixed address, made several harassing phone calls to a 25-year-old female acquaintance and then went to her
home, where he became disorderly. After refusing officers' requests to quiet down and leave the area, Adams was charged with Disturbing the Peace, Trespassing, Harassment and Telephone
Misuse and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner. PFC G. Higgs investigated.

DWI: On December 21 at approximately 9:40 p.m., while off duty, PFC K. Mullings observed a
vehicle driving erratically on Oliver Shop Road, in the area of Gross Town Road. PFC J.
McGuigan responded to the area and located the vehicle at Charles Street and Bel Alton Road in
La Plata. PFC McGuigan stopped the vehicle and found the driver, Michael George Dyer, 48, of
La Plata, to be intoxicated. Dyer was charged with DWI and is being held at the Charles County
Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.

184 Deaths Predicted Due to Drunk Driving
     Despite designated driver campaigns and even public service announcements from alcohol manufacturers promoting "safe drinking", the National Safety Council predicts 184 people will die during the New Year's holiday period and another 10,000 will incur serious injuries due to traffic accidents involving alcohol.   According to the annual Household Survey on Drug Abuse 25 million Americans reported driving under the influence of alcohol in 2001.  For younger adults aged 18-25, nearly 23 percent reported driving after drinking.
       Alcohol kills over 6 times more young people than all other illicit drugs combined. The younger a person begins drinking the more likely they are to develop alcohol problems later in life, including dependency and driving under the influence.
       To characterize the rate of alcohol-related fatal crashes among young drivers, CDC analyzed unpublished data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a national database of information on fatal crashes.  More than 17,000 were killed in alcohol-related crashes last year, representing over 40% of all traffic deaths, with around 500,000 injured annually. The economic burden of annual alcohol-related crashes equates to $114 billion.
       One organization dedicated to fighting driving under the influence is Mothers Against Drunk Driving ( www.madd.org ), founded in 1980.  Statistics like the ones in this article are staggering to say the least, and organizations such as MADD and drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs are vital tools in the battle to overcome substance abuse. Don't let a loved one become a statistic; please be safe. 

Trash Truck, Tractor Trailer Collide, Close Rt. 4 for 6 Hours
LUSBY ---  State Police report that on Sat. Dec. 28 a tractor trailer making a turn from the southbound lane of Rt 4 into Rt. 760 struck a northbound trash truck driven by Reginald Bush of Mechanicsville.   Both drivers survived the massive crash and were flown to shock trauma unit by Maryland State Police Med-Evac helicopters Trooper Seven and Trooper Two
State Police Commanders Switched
PIKESVILLE ---  State Police Superintendent Col. David B. Mitchell transfered two local State Police Barracks Commanders as part of a statewide series of promotions and transfers.  Lt. Homer Rich and Lt. Brian Cedar were switched with Rich going back to Leonardtown from Prince Frederick, a post he has held before.   Rich had several clashes with former Calvert Sheriff John A. "Rodney" Bartlett and Bartlett had a close relationship with Col. Mitchell.  Insiders say that the transfer was a favor to Bartlett.   Mitchell will soon be replaced by Baltimore City Police Commissioner Ed Norris, one of the first appointments of Gov.-Elect Robert Ehrlich. 

Baby Shot on Tuesday Now Dead

LA PLATA ---  A brutal slaying took place in Charles County on Tuesday when a 26-month old toddler who was shot died on Wednesday, according to Charles County Sheriff's officers.
William James Meadows, the 26-month-old victim in the shooting that occurred yesterday in Bryantown was pronounced dead at approximately 11:20 a.m. this morning at Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. His father remains hospitalized at
Washington Hospital Center in critical condition.
Subsequent to this, John Adrian Booth, Jr., the suspect in this case, will now be charged
with one count of First Degree Murder and one count of Attempted Murder, as opposed to being charged with two counts of Attempted Murder.
The man who has now been charged with murder surrendored to Virginia State troopers just hours before the baby died from the wounds he received at the hands of John Adrian Booth, Jr.
At approximately 8:36 a.m. on October 30, John Adrian Booth, Jr., the suspect in a shooting that occurred in Charles County yesterday, was located in Virginia.
Two Virginia State Troopers were assisting a disabled vehicle on Southbound Route 95,
just south of Dumfries Truck Scale, when Booth pulled in behind the troopers' cruisers. He informed the troopers that he was wanted in Charles County, and the troopers arrested Booth.
Booth was transported to the Prince William County Police, Garfield Station. Booth will
be charged in Virginia as a fugitive and have an extradition hearing. The date of this hearing has not yet been set.
Booth is charged in Charles County with two counts of Attempted Murder, two counts of
First Degree Assault, two counts of Carrying a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Injure and one
count of reckless endangerment.
"I would like to thank the Virginia State Police, the men and women of the Charles
County Sheriff's Office, the news media and the citizens of Charles County. It is through the collective efforts of these entities that we were able to quickly identify and apprehend the suspect in this matter. Such partnerships are essential to ensuring that Charles County remains a safe and secure place to live and work. Today, as we move forward on this case, the thoughts and prayers of the Charles County Sheriff's Office are with the victims and their family," said Sheriff Frederick E. Davis.

Calvert Bus Driver Arrested for DWI After
Wrecking with Kids On Board
LUSBY --- On Monday, Oct. 14, at about 2 pm Calvert Sheriff's Deputy A. C. Moschetto arrested John Raul Rodriquesz II, 39, of St. Leonard on a charge of driving while impaired by drugs and also for failing to control speed to avoid a collission. The school bus was traveling on Sollars Wharf Road about a quarter mile north of Mears Creek Road when the bus skipped off the roadway on the right causing the rear of the bus to skid to the left and then strike a power pole. Two kids on board were taken by ambulance to Calvert Memorial Hospital and treated for minor injuries and released. The deputy questioned the bus driver and determined he was impaired. A certified drug recognition expert from Charles County Sheriff's Office tested Rodriquez and as a result of that testing he was charged and later released.
Burglar Sold Loot Taken from Home
CALIFORNIA --- Christopher J. Kurkowski, 25, of California has been arrested and charged with stealing over $1,700 worth of possessions from Tammy m. Ellis, 21, and Jeffrey S. Russell, 25, by breaking into their residence in Leonardtown. Included in the stolen property were firearms, all of which were recovered from the third party to which they were sold, reports St. Mary's Sheriff's Sgt. Daniel Alioto.
Man Charged as Accomplice
in Murder Attempt

MECHANICSVILLE --- St. Mary's Sheriff's detectives arrested Dwight L. Scriber, 37, of Hollywood and charged him with attempted first degree murder, according to Sgt. Daniel Alioto. Deputies say that Benjamin Chase Jr, was attempting to kill Anthony Forbes with a shotgun on Oct. 3 at a home in Mechanicsville and instead shot Julie Clarke in the leg when she opened her door to her home. Chase turned himself in and is being held in jail without bail. Scriber is accused of then driving Chase as he escaped the scene after the shooting. Scriber was held on $50,000 bond. more arrests are pending, say police.
Two Wanted on Attempted
Murder Charges Turn Selves In
LEONARDTOWN --- Anthony D. Forbes, 39, who was the victim in a murder attempt allegedly by Benjamin Alexander Chase, 23, ought to breathe a little easier now that Chase is in jail without bond, according to St. Mary's Sheriff's Sgt. Daniel Alioto. He is also charged with first degree assault on Julie Clarke.
Man Charged with Series
of Stalking, Damaging Vehicle
GREAT MILLS --- A Great Mills woman was the victim of at least four incidents of damage to her vehicle in the last two weeks while parked at both home and at work. Detectives at the St. Mary's Sheriff's Department began working leads of a possible suspect, who was identified as Garry Keith Rosengrant, 44, of Lexington Park. Police served a search warrant on his home on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002 and numerous items were seized and Rosengrant was arrested and charged with stalking, harassment, and property destruction and he was later released on $3,500 bond.
Avoiding the Cash Register
WALDORF --- On October 13 at 4:45 p.m., an unknown suspect was observed removing store property from a shelf at K. B. Toy Store on the 11100 block of Mall Circle in Waldorf and conceal it on his person. Store employees approached the suspect and attempted to recover the property but the suspect refused to comply. The suspect threw a container of suspected
cocaine onto the display shelf and then fled the scene without paying for the merchandise. The suspect is described as a black male with a medium
build. His hair is in dread locks and was pulled back into a pony tail and he was last seen wearing a blue and gray t-shirt and camouflage sweatpants
with cargo pockets. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. PO II R. Snyder
is investigating.
Officer Witnessed Woman Slug Woman
WALDORF --- On October 13 at 1:30 a.m., PFC R. Glover, Jr. was in the parking lot of Pinefield Shopping Center on the 2100 block of Crain
Highway in Waldorf when he observed Katherine Alane Simms, 24, of Waldorf, assault a female victim. PFC Glover intervened and Simms was charged with
Second Degree Assault. Simms is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
Peeping Taster Lights Homes
WALDORF --- On October 12 at approximately 8:35 p.m., an unknown suspect(s) shined a laser light into several windows of a residence on the
12000 block of Calico Woods Place in Waldorf. This activity has occurred several times over the past month. Anyone with information about this
incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. PO II R. Snyder is investigating.
Shoppers Robbed at Gunpoint by Gang When Leaving St. Charles Mall
WALDORF --- On October 12 at 7:15 p.m., two girls, ages 16 and 15, both of Waldorf, and an 18-year-old woman of Camp Springs exited St. Charles Towne Center with four unknown suspects, all of whom they had just met. The victims and the suspects approached the suspects' vehicle and the suspects brandished a handgun and a shotgun and demanded property. The victims complied and the suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction.
The suspects are described as black males between 20 and 22 years of age.
Suspect one is dark-complected, Suspect two is short, Suspect three is tall and Suspect four is heavy-set. The suspects' vehicle is described as an
older-model Ford Crown Victoria or Chevrolet Caprice, light blue in color with a black top. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to
contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. PFC L. Potter and POII G. Barnhart are investigating.
All the Wrong Moves for Drunk Driver
LA PLATA --- On October 12 at 6 a.m., PFC R. Glover, Jr. observed an Eagle Talon leave the 100 block of Drury Drive in La Plata with no front tag on the vehicle. PFC Glover conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and the driver, Richard Hartford Holt, 23, of La Plata, was determined to be intoxicated. Holt was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Failure to Display Front Tag and Failure to Wear Seatbelt and
is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
Super 8 Motel Robbed at Gunpoint
WALDORF --- On October 12 at approximately 5:51 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to Days Inn on the 11300 block of Days
Court in Waldorf for the report of a commercial armed robbery. Investigation revealed an unknown suspect entered Days Inn, brandished a handgun and
demanded money from the manager. The victim complied, and the suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money. The vehicle was last seen in the Pembrooke area heading toward Old Washington Road. The suspect is described as a white male, six feet tall, approximately 35 years old. He has black hair and a goatee and was last seen wearing a gray or white raincoat or windbreaker and dark pants. The vehicle is described a dark-colored conversion van. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. PO II J. Jones
is investigating.
Walking Out With New Shoes
WALDORF --- On October 12 at approximately 3:25 p.m., a loss prevention officer at J.C. Penny on the 11100 block of Mall Circle in Waldorf observed a
17-year-old male of Indian Head remove a pair of shoes from a display shelf in the store. The accused put the shoes on his feet and walked out of the
store without paying for the merchandise. The loss prevention officer detained the accused until an officer arrived. The accused was charged via a
Juvenile Offense Report with Theft Under $500 and was referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice. PO II R. Snyder investigated.
Woman was on Thundering Booze Cruise
WALDORF --- On October 12 at 2:30 a.m., Sgt. J. Stine
observed a Ford Thunderbird traveling at a high rate of speed swerve on the road in the area of Crain Highway and Route 6. The driver, Jacqulin Yvonne
Marshall, 33, of Waldorf, was found to be intoxicated. Marshall was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and was released from the Charles County
Detention Center. Sgt. Stine and POI E. Starcher investigated.
Woman Was On Late Night Drinking Expedition
LA PLATA --- On October 12 at 1:09 a.m., PFC R. Glover, Jr. observed a Ford Expedition, white in color, traveling southbound on Washington Avenue. The vehicle made a left turn onto Charles Street in La
Plata without displaying turn signal. PFC Glover conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and the driver, Kimberly Ransom, 42, of Welcome, was found to be
intoxicated. Ransom was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Failure to Give Signal of Intention to Turn. Ransom signed the citation and was
released.
Gallant Burglars Cleaned Out Business
GALLANT GREEN --- Sometime between 11:30 p.m. on October 8 and 9:30 a.m. on October 9, two unknown suspects forced entry into Gallant Green Bar on the 14900 block of Woodville Road in Waldorf and stole money and property. The suspects then fled the scene. The suspects are described as an unknown man and an unknown woman. No further description is available. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. PO II R. Snyder is investigating.
Shopper Laid Down
Purse in Bra Shop
WALDORF --- Sometime between 6 p.m. October 8 and 9:15 s.m. October 9, an unknown
suspect stole a wallet from a purse that was left unattended in Victoria's Secret on the 11100 block of Mall Circle in Waldorf. The suspect then made
several purchases with the credit cards that were in the wallet. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County
Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. PO II R. Snyder is investigating.
Virginia Man Charged with Wreck Which Devastated Clements Family

BEL ALTON --- The Charles County Sheriff's Office has charged Jamal Levar Thompson, 24, of King George, Virginia, for a serious motor vehicle crash that occurred on May 19 in Bel Alton in which alcohol was a factor.
At 7:40 p.m., the Mazda 626 driven by Thompson was traveling south on Crain Highway north of Chapel Point Road when it struck a Chevrolet Malibu driven
by David Knott, 36, of Clements, in the rear.

Knott's vehicle subsequently struck a Nissan Sentra driven by Ronald Barnes, 20, of Washington, D.C., in
the rear. Thompson sustained incapacitating injuries and was transported by ambulance to Southern Maryland Hospital. Knott and a passenger, Jill Knott,
34, of Clements, sustained incapacitating injuries and were flown to Med Star. Their injuries have left them paralyzed.   The Knott's two children, ages four and six, sustained incapacitating injuries and were
flown to Children's Hospital and they have since recovered. Barnes and a passenger, Kisha Sharmain Belton, 20, of Frederick, did not sustain any
injuries. Thompson was charged on October 2 with six counts of Life Threatening Injury Under the Influence, DWI, DUI, Negligent Driving, Failure to Control Vehicle Speed on Highway to Avoid Collission and Driving Uninsured Vehicle.


WHITE PLAINS --- Man Dead in Fire
Charles Campo, 82, was killed in a fire which damaged his  home on Bensville Road near White Plains.  The blaze began in the living room of the two story home at about 9:17 am.  When firefighters first arrived, they found the victim on the front porch of the burning home, wrapped in a blanket. He was taken to Civista where he died.  Damage was set at $50,000. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire, according to Deputy State Fire Marshal Faron Taylor.
HUGHESVILLE ---
Pedestrian was drinking
prior to fatal stagger into traffic on Rt. 231

12/01/02 0020 hours.  A 1991 Chevrolet Lumina being operated by
William Andrew Young, 73 years, of Hughesville, was traveling westbound
on MD Rt. 231, west of MD Rt.381.  A pedestrian, John Everett Long, 22
years, of Mechanicsville, was walking westbound on MD Rt. 231, west of
MD Rt. 381, when he entered the roadway and was struck by the Young
vehicle.  Mr. Long died on the scene, and his body was transported to
the Medical Examiner's Office in Baltimore.  Mr. Young was not injured.
Preliminary investigation reveals that alcohol was a contributing factor
in this accident.  Tfc. R. Lemerise is conducting this investigation.
Bicyclist Critical After Weaving into Traffic, Hit by Truck
WALDORF --- 12/01/02 2244 hours.  Alcides NMN Pena, 24 years, of Waldorf,
was riding his bicycle on southbound U.S. Rt. 301, south of Billingsley
Road.  Mr. Pena crossed in the path of a 1988 GMC Jimmy truck being
operated by Raymond Louis Walker, 30 years, of Clinton, and was struck.
Mr. Pena received incapacitating injuries and was flown to Prince George
Hospital by Maryland State Police Trooper 2 helicopter where he is
listed in critical condition.  Mr. Walker was not injured.  Alcohol was
not a contributing factor in this accident.  Tfc. D. Collins is
conducting this investigation.
Crack Dealer Sidelined by Trooper
WALDORF --- 11/30/02 2359 hours.  A vehicle
traveling on Acton Lane at Shawnee Lane was stopped for speeding.
Brandon Lee Tyree Sr., 21 years, of Capital Heights, was arrested for
driving under the influence of alcohol.  A search incident to arrest
revealed a large quantity of suspected marijuana and crack cocaine.  Mr.
Tyree was subsequently charged with possession with the intent to
distribute
crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute
marijuana, possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana and
possession of drug paraphernalia.   His passengers, Joseph Axzavis
Stewart, 22 years, and Tamika Danielle Stewart, 18 years, both of
Waldorf, were charged with possession with the intent to distribute
crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana,
possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of
drug paraphernalia.  They were incarcerated in the Charles County
Detention Center pending a bond review.  Tfc. S. Bolger conducted this
investigation.


Cops Say Bozo Stole Tags Rather Than Stand In Line at MVA
WALDORF --- On December 2 at 9:45 a.m., PFC R. Glover, Jr. was in the 9400 block of Berry Road in Waldorf when he observed a Ford pick-up truck traveling at a high rate of speed. PFC Glover conducted at traffic stop on the vehicle and investigation revealed the vehicle's tags had been reported stolen in Prince George's County. The driver of the vehicle, Boyd Stacey Verdelotti, 42, of Fort Washington, was charged with Theft Under $500 and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
Teen Hoodlum Carjacks Man
WALDORF --- On December 2 at 7:07 a.m., a 25-year-old man was attempting to enter his vehicle, which was parked in front of his residence on the 200 block of Charleston Court in La Plata, when he was approached by an unknown suspect who demanded money, property and the vehicle. The victim complied and the suspect fled the scene in the vehicle, a
1996 Oldsmobile Cutlas, tan in color. The vehicle was found shortly thereafter on Glen Albin road at Jazz Place; it had been involved in a single vehicle accident causing property damage
only and the suspect had already fled the scene. The suspect is described as a black male in his teens, between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall and was wearing a black leather jacket with white sleeves, a dark-colored baseball hat and a blue bandanna over his face. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. POII D. Walker is investigating.

Drunk Drivers' Flat Tire Ended Booze Cruise
WHITE PLAINS --- On December 2 at 4:20 a.m., POI J. Bender was traveling in the 4000 block of Crain Highway in White Plains when he observed a disabled vehicle. The vehicle had sustained a flat tire and the driver, Peter James Yousko, 41, of Alexandria, Virginia, parked the vehicle in the area of Billingsley Road with the motor still running. Yousko was found to be intoxicated. He was charged with DWI and DUI and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
Produce Stand Owner Charged with Shooting Employee
SHOOTING: On December 1 at 10:13 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to Howard's Produce at the intersection of Renner Road and Route 5 in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Investigation revealed Harrison Wayne Howard, 31, of Waldorf, was involved in an argument with the victim, a 26-year-old Waldorf man who also worked at the produce stand. During the argument, the victim attempted to leave the area in his vehicle, at which time Howard shot the victim. An acquaintance who was on the scene then took the victim to a residence and called 911. The victim was flown to Prince George's Hospital Center where his injuries were
said to be non-life threatening. Howard was charged with Attempted First Degree Murder and First Degree Assault and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner. Det. D. Stahl investigated.

Man Charged with Rape of Own Daughter
WALDORF --- Detectives with the Charles County Sheriff's Office recently
arrested a 39-year-old Waldorf man for sexually abusing his 11-year-old daughter. The investigation began on November 26 when the victim disclosed incidents of abuse to a friend. The accused was located at Civista Medical Center on November 30 at 12:37 p.m. and was charged with two counts of Child Abuse. He was transported to the Charles County
Detention Center, where he was held until posting $75,000 bond on December 1.  Det. S. Salvas investigated.
Vandals Strike in Movie Parking Lot
PRINCE FREDERICK --- On 11-23, between 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM, an unknown culprit scratched a vehicle, causing $200.00  in damage.  The
vehicle was parked at the Apex Theaters, Prince Frederick.  TPR Bowling
is handling the investigation
.
Tire Slasher Hits 7 Vehicles
ST. LEONARD --- Between 11-26 at 8:00 PM and 11-27 at 1:30 AM, an unknown culprit slashed 7 tires on two vehicles parked on Overlook Dr.,
St. Leonard, MD.  Damage is estimated at $725.00.  TPR Schmidt is
handling the investigation.

Knives and Drugs for Pair of Potheads
PRINCE FREDERICK --- On 11-29, 7:59 PM, Rt. 2/4, Prince Frederick, TPR Carter stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation.  A search of the vehicle produced suspected marijuana and CDS paraphernalia under the driver's seat.  Two knives were located under the front passenger's seat.  Arrested at that time was Jason Douglas Pardoe, 18, from Lusby, for possession of marijuana and CDS paraphernalia.
A 17-year-old male, from St. Leonard, was placed under arrest for
possession of concealed deadly weapons.  After processing, Mr. Pardoe
was incarcerated in the CCDC to await a commissioner's hearing.  The
juvenile was released to a relative.

Burglar Strikes in Ranch Club
LUSBY --- Between 11-29 at 10:00 PM and 11-30 at 9:00 AM, an unknown culprit entered a vehicle on Rawhide Rd., Lusby, and removed a wallet, a Sanyo cellphone headset, a decorative tin filled with popcorn, and approximately $5.00 in coins.  TPR Ferreira is handling the investigation.
FLEEING & ELUDING:
WALDORF --- 10/06/02 0005 hours.   A Maryland State Trooper attempted to stop a motorcycle on U.S. Rt. 301 at Sub-Station Road for speeding.  The operator, Gregory Dewitt Freeman, 38 years, of Waldorf,
failed to stop.  Mr. Freeman went through the a red traffic signal and pulled in front of a vehicle, causing the vehicle to strike him.  Mr.
Freeman was ejected from the motorcycle but refused medical treatment.
He was arrested, and charged with fleeing and eluding.  Once at the barrack, it was determined that he needed to be re-evaluated and EMS personnel was called.  Mr. Freeman was transported to Civista Medical Center by ambulance and later flown to MEDSTAR.  Tfc. R. Schoenberger
conducted this investigation.

Woman Arrested with Heroin Spit On Trooper
LA PLATA --- 10/08/02 0152 hours.   Troopers responded to a residence in the 100 block of Kalmia Court, in La Plata, in an attempt to serve a warrant.  The suspect, Erin Marie Lightner, 24 years, of La Plata, was driving home when she was arrested on the outstanding warrant through Howard County.  A search incident to arrest revealed suspected heroin and drug paraphernalia.  Ms. Lightner spit on one of the Troopers, and was subsequently charged with assault, possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia, She was also cited with several traffic citations, and incarcerated in the Charles County Detention Center pending a bond review.  Tpr. J. Zimmerman conducted this investigation.
Shooting Spree Shatters Lives, Makes Familiar Streets
Like 'A War Zone'
By CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE
WHEATON - Five ordinary people, doing ordinary things on a soft, sunny fall morning died terrible, lurid deaths in Montgomery County Wednesday and Thursday.
The shooting spree left neighbors, shoppers and other just-as-ordinary people confused and fearful.
"I could just as easily been the victim," said John O'Connell, 69, of Leisure World. "Sometimes I just think God is a part of your life and He knows  how to take care of you."
In just under 17 hours, a skilled marksman shot up an arts and crafts store before killing a man at a grocery store, another man riding a lawnmower, another filling his car with gas, a woman sitting on a bench near a post office and, the final victim, a woman vacuuming her car at a gas station. The shootings were just a few miles apart along Connecticut Avenue and Rockville Pike.
The suspect or suspects were at large Thursday night.
For some reason, O'Connell, 69, took his daily half-mile trek from his retirement home at Leisure World to a Starbucks coffee shop an hour early Thursday. If he had arrived at his usual time, he would have been sipping his coffee at the exact moment that the man was killed at the Mobil gas station, 8:12 a.m., just 100 feet from the slaying.
Jimmy Akca, 52, and Johannes Ghebray, 33, were even closer to death --but not theirs.
Around 10 a.m. Thursday, Akca was working on a car in the Kensington Shell station garage when he heard a "big bang sound." He and his fellow
mechanics thought it was a wreck at busy Connecticut and Knowles avenues and stepped out to investigate. Ghebray, a cashier, thought a tire had popped on a car -- until he heard the screaming.
Near the car vacuum and pay phone they could see a burgundy Dodge Caravan and a woman, who Akca said appeared to be in her 30s, toppled over on
her back,  her legs underneath the vehicle.
People were rushing to her, some already calling for paramedics on their cell phones.
Akca and other mechanics moved the victim's car away from her and other  bystanders performing CPR. It was only when the victim began to bleed
from her  nose and mouth that they stopped CPR, Akca said. When paramedics arrived, the cause of death was revealed: a gunshot wound to the back.
"I saw her," said a solemn Ghebray, who came out of the store shortly after the mechanics were on the scene. "She was bleeding. I can still see it in my mind."
Akca said there was a child seat in the woman's car, which led him to believe she had just dropped her child off at school.
The woman was the final fatality in a seemingly random series of gun deaths.
The first victim, a 55-year-old man, was killed outside a Wheaton grocery store around 6 p.m. Wednesday. Another man was shot at 8:15 a.m., while
pumping gas at a Mobil station in Aspen Hill. A half-hour later, a woman was shot at a post office in Leisure World Retirement Community in Silver Spring.
Around 10:10 a.m., the woman died at the Shell station.
Near White Flint Mall, Jay Kuzminski, 47, said he heard a single shot ring out around 7:41 a.m.
"My day was ruined before it started," said Kuzminski, a Gaithersburg resident who works at Fitzgerald Auto Mall.
He said the slain man, a private contractor who was mowing the lawn outside the dealership, staggered into the parking lot on the 11400 block on Rockville Pike and collapsed by a navy blue Dodge Caravan. He died shortly thereafter.
The familiar street, said Kuzminski, felt like a "war zone."
"I've been around natural death before, but never this," he said. "This just wrenched my guts."
At nearby White Flint Mall, which usually begins to pick up around 3 p.m., there were only a few shoppers walking the halls Thursday afternoon.
Rosemarie Rhyne, 66, of Chevy Chase, said she felt very uneasy about being in the area.
"My daughter lives near Kensington and I use that Shell station all the time," Rhyne said. "Things have changed. They'll have to heighten security."
At Shoppers Food Warehouse, where the first victim died, customers took a fatalistic attitude.
"This is the craziest thing I've seen," said Kevin Coleman, a 37-year resident of Aspen Hill. "I just keep looking over my shoulder. If you're gonna die, you're gonna die."
Residents of Leisure World and employees of the nearby shopping center said the shooting rampage left their community shaken and worried. The victim
there, a woman in her 30s or 40s, was shot at 8:37 as she sat on a bench
at one end of the Leisure World Shopping Center.
Frank Poku, 22, of Gaithersburg, an employee of the Bedford Court
Marriott community living facility for seniors, said he saw the victim when he
came to work around 8:30 a.m.
She had long, dark hair and got off a bus on Connecticut Avenue at the Leisure World shopping center and sat down on a bench in front of theCrisp & Juicy restaurant.
"I don't know if she was waiting for anybody in particular, but I seen her go into her purse and grab her book . . .  to start reading it," Poku said.
When he was told of the shooting shortly after, he rushed to the scene
and recognized the woman slumped over and bleeding on the bench as the same
one he had seen earlier that morning.
"I never expected this," Poku said. "It's a lot of elderly people that come here with their walkers and walk around here. It's a nicesurrounding. This shopping center was basically made for them. To see something like that
-- it's just terrible."
Suzy Cooper, a stylist at the nearby Image Hair Design salon, said she thought the victim normally waited on the same bench to be picked up by a woman who employed her as a housekeeper.
Cooper was in her shop when the shot was fired. She ran outside and saw the victim slumped on the bench at the end of the sidewalk. Cooper said
others were already there, but none soon enough to provide information as to
how the shooting occurred.
"Everyone saw it almost to the minute, but it was too late," she said.
The violence has left many of the retirement community's residentsshaken and worried. Said one resident of Bedford Court, just steps from the
place where the shooting occurred: "Well, I wasn't scared before, but I never felt this was the safest area. After this morning, it's worse."
Leisure World resident Eugene Kirkland, a retired schoolteacher whostill teaches driver's education part-time, said theproximity of the violence has left some of the community's seniors feeling especially vulnerable.
"Every location I know," Kirkland said. "The Mobile station -- that's where I get my gasoline. It makes you feel a little shaky."
Police have still not confirmed the shooter or shooters' identities, the exact type of vehicle used in the shootings, the type of weapon used or
the nationalities of the suspects.
Traffic Thursday afternoon still flowed steadily past the Shellstation.
Akca returned to repairing vehicles as he tried to get the image of the dying woman out of his mind.
"I'm not a panicky man. I think when your time is up, it just happens to you," Akca said. "But a lady, at a young age, for no apparent reason, lost her life, and it feels sad."

-- CNS reporters Christopher Anderson, Liz Babiarz, Liz Boch, Hattie
Brown, Phillip Caston, Heather Coppley, Tamara El-Khoury, Catherine Matacic and
David M. Pittman contributed to this article.


Top Stories:

Stolen Tag On Car Leads to Slammer

WALDORF -- 09/01/02 2215 hours. A vehicle traveling southbound on U.S. Rt. 301 at Glen Albin Road was stopped for a traffic violation. A computer check revealed the temporary Maryland registration plate displayed on
the vehicle was reported stolen through the Montgomery County Police Department. The operator, Denise Marie Pinkard, 35 years, of Clinton, was arrested, charged with theft, and incarcerated in the Charles County
Detention Center pending a bond review. Tfc. F. Bouknight conducted this
investigation.
Booze and Pot Go
Together Like A Horse & Carriage

BRYANS ROAD --- 09/03/02 2156 hours. A vehicle traveling southbound on MD Rt. 210, north of MD Rt. 227, was stopped for speeding. The operator, George Alexander Yates, 22 years, of Bryans Road, was arrested
for driving under the influence of alcohol. A search incident to arrest revealed suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was
subsequently charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and incarcerated in the Charles County Detention Center pending a bond review. Tfc. M. Schoenberger conducted this investigation.

There Will Be No
Snow Before It's Time

OWINGS --- On 8-16, an employee of Northern Middle School, Owings, reported that an unknown culprit had forcibly entered a shed on the schoolgrounds and removed a MTD snowblower. SGT Titus is handling the
investigation.
Crack Toss Leads to Jail
PRINCE FREDERICK --- On 8-20, 12:05 AM, TFC Carr responded to the rear of the Central Square Shopping Center, Prince Frederick, for a suspicious person complaint. Upon his arrival, TFC Carr observed a suspect throw something to the ground. TFC Carr retrieved the article, a soda can, and found it to be fashioned into a CDS smoking device that
contained suspected crack-cocaine residue. Arrested at that time was William Justin Gray, 43, of Prince Frederick, for possession of
crack-cocaine and CDS paraphernalia. Incident to arrest, suspected
crack-cocaine was located on Mr. Gray's person. After processing, he
was detained in the CCDC to await a commissioner's hearing.

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA: On 8-30, 2:45 PM, TPR Brooks responded to the
intersection of Rts. 2 & 260, Owings, for a reported assist motorist
complaint. After contact with the operator, Roland Lawrence White, 54,
of Sunderland, TPR Brooks placed him under arrest for DUI. Incident to
arrest, a baggie of suspected marijuana was located in the vehicle. He
was then additionally charged with possession of marijuana. After
processing at the Prince Frederick Barrack, he was detained in the CCDC
to await a commissioner's hearing.

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY: Between 9-1 @ 10:00 PM and 9-2 at 5:45 AM, an unknown
culprit attempted to enter the Bridge Carry-Out, Prince Frederick, by
breaking out the glass to a door. TPR Payne is handling the
investigation.

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA: On 9-1, 12:00 PM, during a traffic stop on Rt.
4, Dunkirk, David Christopher Powell, 23, of Windsor, VA , was placed
under arrest by TFC Bevard for driving on a suspended license. Incident
to arrest, a consent search of the vehicle produced suspected marijuana
and CDS paraphernalia. He was then additionally charged with possession
of marijuana and CDS paraphernalia. After processing, he was detained
in the CCDC to await a commissioner's hearing.


Woman Killed by Drunk Driver
HUGHESVILLE  --- A boozing Brandywine man ran the red light at Rt. 231 and Rt. 5 in Hughesville on Sunday evening and struck a southbound car before careening into a small pickup operated by a Indian Head woman and killing her.
State Police say that at about 10:20 pm a

1990 Nissan pick-up truck being operated by Lisa Marie Brandstetter, 31 years, of Indian Head, was stopped at the red traffic signal on eastbound MD Rt. 231 at MD Rt. 5.   A 1994 Honda
Accord being operated by Trever William Ashley, 26 years, of Lexington Park, was traveling northbound on MD Rt. 5 at MD Rt. 231.  A 1985 F150
truck being operated by Richard Wayne Pitonyak, 21 years, of Brandywine, was traveling westbound on MD Rt. 231 at MD Rt. 5 when it traveled
through the red traffic signal and was struck by the Ashley vehicle.
The Pitonyak vehicle went into a spin and struck the Brandstetter vehicle on the passenger door. Ms. Brandstetter received incapacitating
injuries and was transported to Civista Medical Center by ambulance, but then flown to Washington Hospital Center by Maryland State Police Trooper 2 helicopter where she died.   Ms. Brandstetter was wearing her
seatbelt at the time of the accident.  Mr. Ashley and Mr. Pitonyak was not injured.   Alcohol was a contributing factor in this accident.  Tfc.
F. Bouknight is conducting this investigation.

Trip to Wawa A Gas
for Bozo with Stolen Vehicle
WALDORF --- On September 14 at 1 a.m., PFC S. Burrows responded to the WaWa on the 4200 block of Crain Highway in White Plains for the report of an intoxicated driver. PFC Burrows located the vehicle and the driver at a gas pump. Investigation revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen through Fairfax County, Virginia. The driver fled on foot but was apprehended shortly thereafter behind the WaWa. Further investigation revealed the driver, Guy Stewert Smith, 29, of no fixed address, was wanted in Charles County and Fairfax County, Virginia. Smith was charged with Stolen Vehicle, Theft Over $500 and Unauthorized Use of Vehicle and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
Danny Kaye, of Hollywood Arrested for Spinning Wheels, Theft
...and you thought he had been dead for ten years
WALDORF --- On September 13 at 2:50 p.m., PFC D. Savoy observed a vehicle spinning wheels at the intersection of Hamilton Road and Berry Road in Waldorf. PFC Savoy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and investigation revealed the tags were stolen and the vehicle was not registered. The driver, Danny Kaye, 23, of Hollywood, was charged with
Theft Less Than $500, Operating Unregistered Vehicle, Spinning Wheels and Tag Issued to
Another and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before
the District Court Commissioner.
Bleach Burglar Trashed Home
WALDORF --- Sometime between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on September 11, unknown suspect(s) entered a residence on the 2000 block of Wakefield Circle in Waldorf and stole more than $500 in property, poured bleach on the victim's rug, a living room chair and a pile of clothes and the fled the scene in an unknown direction. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. POI K. Wood is investigating.

$22,000 worth of goods looted by Burglars
LEONARDTOWN --- Between 9/10/02 at 0630 hours and 9/11/02, at 1030 hours, unknown suspect(s) entered a residence in Leonardtown and removed property
valued at $22,460.  Entry was gained by forcing a door open.  Money, a Rolex watch, a camcorder, clothing and jewelry were taken from the residence.  TFC S. B. Koch is investigating this incident.
Punk Drove Thru Yard
GOLDEN BEACH ---On 9/11/02, at 1309 hours, Tpr. M. L. Davis responded to a residence in Indian River Estates in Golden Beach for a reported destruction of property.  Investigation revealed  a witness observed a known suspect drive through a neighbor's yard causing damage.  The 14 year old male
from Golden Beach was located at his residence.  He was arrested, charged with destruction of property under $500 and released to a relative pending action by juvenile authorities.  Damage to the yard is
estimated at $400.
Pellet Gun Shot
LEXINGTON PARK --- On 9/11/02, at 1937 hours, TFC J. D. Vanhoy responded to Glen Forest Park in Lexington Park, reference a shooting complaint.   Investigation revealed a 31 year old man from California was struck in the chest with a pellet from a pellet gun as he was standing in a field where individuals were having football practice.  Three male juveniles were located a short distance away.   As a result, a 12 year old male from Lexington Park, was arrested and charged with 2nd degree assault.  The juvenile and the pellet gun were released to a relative pending action by juvenile authorities.  The victim received minor injuries from the assault.
Carl Hanbury Charged
with Smacking 2 Women
MECHANICSVILLE --- On 9/14/02, at 0030 hours, an arrest warrant was served on Carl M. Hanbury, 42 years, of Mechanicsville, for 2nd degree assault.  Mr.
Hanbury is accused of assaulting two females at a residence in Mechanicsville on 8/29/02.   He was incarcerated in the Detention Center
pending a bond hearing.  TFC A. J. Malaspina conducted this investigation.


No Seat Belt, No License,
But Had PCP, Say Police

MECHANICSVILLE --- On 9/15/02, at 1840 hours, Tpr. J. L. Linger stopped a vehicle in Mechanicsville, for a seat belt violation.  A computer check on the driver, Charles D. Wilcher, 31 years, of Lexington Park revealed his license was suspended.  A search incident to arrest revealed a glass vile containing suspected phencyclidine (PCP) in the vehicle.  Mr. Wilcher was charged additionally with possession of CDS and CDS paraphernalia.  He was incarcerated in the Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Energizer Pothead
MECHANICSVILLE --- On 9/16/02, at 0010 hours, TFC J. S. Jones stopped a vehicle in Mechanicsville, for a traffic violation.  Upon contacting the occupants of the vehicle, TFC Jones observed the rear passenger making furtive movements and saw suspected marijuana flakes fall from his pants leg.  A search revealed a flashlight containing suspected marijuana inside the battery compartment, a baggie containing a trace of suspected marijuana and a CDS smoking device containing suspected marijuana residue in his
pants pocket.  Bass K. Hensley, 25 years, of Mechanicsville, was arrested and charged with possession of CDS and CDS paraphernalia. Mr.
Hensley was incarcerated in the Detention Center pending a bond hearing.



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Hell's Angels in North Beach
...will bloodshed soon follow?

Mexican Standoff
--- These three Hell's Angels members stood in front of Thursdays Grill on Saturday, eyeing a police SWAT Team across the street.  The punks included a national vice-president of the criminal clan of bikers from Connecticut.   Local outlaw bikers from the Pagans and Iron Horsemen, which are primarily from La Plata and Waldorf, showed up to fly their colors on Sunday.
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ST. MARY'S TODAY photos

Calvert and St. Mary's deputies in full SWAT uniforms dogged the bad boy bikers on Saturday and Calvert Sheriff Rodney Bartlett reports there were no incidents.  Recent confrontations have included a drive-by shooting between bikers at the Happy Harbor in Deale.
Hell's Angels Crash Bay Fest

NORTH BEACH ---  This time the event wasn't an ill-advised biker festival such as the spring event actually organized by the dimwitted Mayor of North Beach, Mark Frazer, but this weekend the annual Bayfest was put on with grandmothers pushing strollers and kids and their parents enjoying a real Indian rain dance.  In the midst of the funnel cakes and snow cones in marched a bunch of over the hill punks, over-tattooed, over weight and not a complete brain cell between the two dozen bozos who took a stroll down the boardwalk to Thursdays bar and grill where a police SWAT Team eyed them.  See the print edition Tuesday for more and photos of these mindless morons, murderers and pathetic losers known as the Hells Angels. A series of speeches by political candidates included a racy appearance by County Commissioner Candiate Maggie Thomas showing a lot of leg in a short skirt and promising voters she was going to "give it to them", in an awkward ending to what had been a family day on the boardwalk.


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Man Who Killed Local Woman
Given Life Term as DNA
Linked Him To Murder

Man have been responsible for Frying Pan Murder at Piney Point
OLYMPIA, Wash. ---   A former St. Mary's County resident, William E. Cosden Jr., who is from St. Mary's County and who's father was once a local game warden, was sentenced to life in prison last week after a jury found him guilty of the first degree murder of a teenage girl in 1973 in Seattle, Washington.  Cosden was also the chief suspect in the brutal slaying of a bartender in a Piney Point tavern in the late 1960's and was found not guilty by reason of insanity of the murder of Helen Patricia Pilkerton from Hollywood, who was raped and murdered and her body dumped along the edge of Flat Iron Road in Great Mills in 1967.   Cosden was never charged with the Frying Pan murder and was sent to a state mental hospital where he was released only to go out west and continue killing. Cosden's family lived in St. Mary's while his father worked at Steuart's Oil Tank facility and later as a game warden. 

Where is the Loot, Sheriff Voorhaar?
Judge holds off on decision on holding St. Mary's Sheriff Richard Voorhaar in contemp of court until State Prosecutor Steven Montanarelli completes his investigation into the $80,000 worth of missing evidence from the custody of the Sheriff.  Capt. Steven Doolan, who swears that he won't go down alone, is still suspended and sittting at home where he is reported to have lost 20 pounds in recent weeks.   Who has the loot?  What two St. Mary's Deputies are busy trying to figure out how to get the stolen loot, stolen by them, out of their homes and back into the custody of the Sheriff without getting caught and charged criminally.  Stay tuned and look for next week's print edition for more...
Bank Held Up

WALDORF --- On August 28 at approximately 9:37 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to the Bank of Southern Maryland on the 2500 block of Crain Highway for the report of a hold-up alarm. Investigation revealed an unknown suspect entered the bank, brandished a weapon and demanded money. The tellers complied and the suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 35-years-old, wearing black jean shorts, a jacket and a mask over his face. Anyone with
information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301- 932-2222, 301-609-6496 or 301-609-6489. Det. P. Gregory is investigating.

Lothian Crack Head Leads Cops On 2-County High Speed Chase
HUGHESVILLE ---  A Maryland State Fire Marshal who is a former State Trooper was a hero on Tuesday when he acted to put a stop to a high speed chase coming from Calvert County as a man driving a stolen pickup truck at speeds over 100 mph.   Deputy Fire Marshal Chuck Dammann pulled his fire marshal's vehicle into the path of the fleeing truck on Rt. 231 near Rt. 381 in an attempt to slow the madman behind the wheel of the pickup before he reached the busy Rt. 5 / Rt. 231 intersection in Hughesville.  The driver of the truck rammed DFM Dammann's car and forced it off road.  As the truck approached Hughesville, with State Troopers Oresik and Schmidt, other troopers and Calvert Deputies in hot pursuit, Charles County Sheriff's Patrol Officer Padgett threw out three stop sticks and three tires on the pickup were flattened.  As the pickup truck came to a stop, DFM Dammann was able to get his vehicle in front of the pickup and block it.  The officers then nabbed Craig Steven Best, 36, of Lothian, the driver and found a crack cocaine smoking device inside the truck, along with stolen tools and a cell phone.  The titems had been taken from a construction site in Calvert County.  Multiple charges were placed against Best. 

After 4 days, St. Mary's Sheriff's Dept. Finally Admits Truth About Drunk Driving Deputy!

Boozing St. Mary's Deputy
Injured in Police Vehicle Crash

MECHANICSVILLE ---   Charges of DWI are pending against St. Mary's Deputy Vivian Humphries while results of a blood alcohol test are recieved following a crash on Baptist Church Road after midnight Friday.   According to a press release issued Monday, an earlier report on the ST. MARY'S TODAY Online Edition was confirmed by Lt. John Horne that the deputy was operating a police vehicle and that alcohol may have been a contributing factor.  The deputy is a rookie who has been assigned to narcotics and her injuries were described as being a broken nose and lacerations to her face.    The 12:10 am crash brought a full response after the first report was for a possible crash on the isolated country road.  Once police and rescue units arrived at the scene they found the rented police vehicle off the road and into the woods.   The driver was immediately identified as a deputy sheriff, reports Lt. Horne.  She was flown to the P. G. Shock Trauma Center in Cheverly and was released the next day.   Lt. Horne reports that the crash is still under investigation and that the internal affairs unit is also conducting a  probe into the deputy's conduct.
This latest incident of embarrassment to the agency comes on the heels of a new probe of the agency by the Maryland State Prosecutor of allegations that deputies stole $80,000 in goods and building supplies from the evidence lockup.  See the print edition now on newsstands for the latest information on this current scandal.   
Last Christmas another alcohol incident took place when a deputy found his wife in an intimate sexual embrace with another deputy in a stairwell at the Seafarers School where the department was conducting a Christmas Party.


State Trooper Charged with Videotaping Child Porn, Sex Acts With Child
EASTON ---  A Maryland   State Trooper has been arrested for child molesting after investigators say they determined that the trooper was having sex with the child, who is the daughter of his live-in girlfriend.  The trooper, a 28-year veteran of the agency, was suspended without pay and taken to a Easton jail where he was held on $100,000 bond.  The probe began when the mother of the girl brought the matter to the attention of State Police on July 26th.
State Police Charge Man In Road Rage
ESSEX --- Maryland State Police say that Aunrico A. Carpentieri, 19, of Woodlawn, was charged with two counts of attempted murder in road rage incident which took place on May 24th on I-795 near Owings Mills.  Carpentieri allegedly shot a handgun at another motorist and struck a passenger in the car after becoming involved in a traffic altercation.  Josie M. Steger was treated for her injury at Sinai Hospital and released.  Witnesses provided a tag number to police and after several attempts to locate Carpentieri, the man turned himself in to police.

Search warrant served on home of former Calvert Sheriff Vonzell Ward

NORTH BEACH --- A search warrant signed by Calvert Circuit Court Judge Warren Krug was served by Calvert deputies in search of personnel records from the agency formerly headed by Vonzell Ward, who quit the post of Sheriff last year.   Two weeks ago, personnel records from the department were leaked to the Prince Frederick Recorder, allegedly by Ward.  The raid today discovered more documents in what Calvert Sheriff Rodney Bartlett calls a criminal investigation.   Ward is a candidate for the GOP nomination in the primary election on Sept. 10th.  Bartlett is also a candidate.   Ward quit his job after the State Prosecutor began a probe into a series of allegedly improper and illegal acts concerning a deputy who was harrassing his ex-girlfriend.

Police Refuse to Disclose Name of Gay Woman Who Molested Teen Girl
WHITE PLAINS ---  Charles County Sheriff's detectives arrested an unidentified 35-year-old woman who lives in White Plains on charges that she allegedly molested a 16-year-old girl at her home in Charles County and also in Prince George's County. On August 12, 2002, information was received from the Department of Social Services that a sixteen year old female victim had disclosed incidents of sexual abuse by the accused - a 35-year old female of White Plains - who will not be identified to protect the victim. A detective with the Charles County Sheriff's Office and a DSS worker responded to Prince George's County to interview the victim, who verified the allegations. The victim stated the incidents occurred at a residence in Prince George's County and at the accused's current residence in Charles County.  On August 13, 2002, a CCSO detective interviewed the accused at her residence. The accused admitted to the incidents of sexual abuse in both Prince George's and Charles County.  On August 15, 2002, the accused turned herself into the Charles County Sheriff's Office, at which time she was charged with one count of Child Abuse. The accused was transported to the Charles County Detention Center and charge via a District Court Warrant and was released on a $5,000 bond. Det. S. Salvas investigated.
See photos of crash and hard work of local heroes of fire and rescue in this week's print edition

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Police Seek Fat Bald
Black Bank Robber
LA PLATA:  Have you seen this man?   If so, call the Charles County Sheriff's Department at 301-932-2222 as he robbed the Old Line Bank in Waldorf and got away with the loot.
Man Charged with Threatening Woman Picketing Appliance Store
WALDORF ---  Charles County Sheriff's officers charged a man who allegedly violated a peace order by threatening a woman who was in front of the Annapolis Appliance Store for the purpose of picketing the establishment. 
On August 19 at approximately 11:30 a.m., PFC K. Syvertsen responded to Annapolis Appliances on the 3100 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf. Investigation revealed Braddock Ryan Wolfson, 39, of Brandywine, an employee of Annapolis Appliances, violated a peace order when he threatened a 49-year-old woman of Accokeek who was picketing in front of the store. Wolfson was charged with Violation of Peace Order and was released on Personal Recognizance.

CDS POSSESSION: On August 19 at 3:30 a.m., POI R. Kimble stopped a vehicle on the 3200
block of Leonardtown Road in Waldorf for a traffic violation. Upon further investigation, Officer Kimble recovered suspected CDS paraphernalia from the vehicle. The driver, a 17-year-old male of Waldorf, was charged with Possession: CDS and Possession: CDS Paraphernalia and was released to a parent.

THEFT: On August 16 at 3:40 p.m., a 17-year-old female of Indian Head entered Sports Authority on the 3300 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf and attempted to take shoes by
placing her old shoes in a box and walking out with the new shoes without paying. The accused was stopped by a loss prevention officer who detained her until a Sheriff's officer arrived. The accused was charged with Theft Under $500 and released to a parent. POI E. Starcher
investigated.

CDS POSSESSION: On August 14 at 7:05 a.m., POII R. Gottschall observed a 2001 Mitsubishi
Eclipse driving in a reckless manner on southbound Crain Highway and conducted a traffic stop at St. Patrick's Drive. When Officer Gottschall approached the vehicle, he observed a substantial amount of marijuana on the driver's lap. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded more marijuana. The driver, Paul William Doughty, 21, and a passenger, Brett Jeffry Roberts, 19, both
of White Plains, were each charged with Possession of Marijuana and are being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending appearances before the District Court Commissioner.

Police Need Public Tips to Find Shotgun Robber Who Robbed
3 Local Stores

WALDORF --- The Charles County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating three armed robberies that occurred in Waldorf at the end of May 2002.
On May 21 at 10:15 p.m., an employee of Paul Lamps and Furniture in Shoppers World
closed the store for the night and exited the business through a rear door where he was
confronted by an unknown suspect who brandished a shotgun and demanded money. The victim complied, and the suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction. The suspect is described as a male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 140 lbs. and wearing a gray sweatshirt and cream colored pants.
On May 22 at 9:35 p.m., an unknown suspect entered Pizza Hut in Shopper's World,
confronted the two employees in the store with a shotgun and demanded money. The victims complied, and the suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money through the front door and ran around the rear of the shopping center. The suspect is described as a male between 20- and 30-years-old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 160 lbs., and wearing a black jacket with
"first down" written in white letters on the front, a red bandana covering half his face and blue Jeans.
On May 27 at 4:18 a.m., an unknown suspect entered Days Inn on the 11000 block of
Days Court, brandished a shotgun and demanded money. The clerk complied and the suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium build, wearing a dark- colored jacket, dark gloves and black material covering his nose and mouth. He fled in a white Volvo-style passenger car.
Detectives with the Robbery Unit are investigating whether these incidents are related and are asking anyone with any information to call Det. K. Moody at 301-609-6514, 301-609-6496 or
301-932-2222.

Charles County
firefighters battle blaze

WALDORF --- Firefighters from Bryans Road, La Plata and Bel Alton assisted two Waldorf fire companies in fighting this fire on Thursday Aug. 8th at about 1:40 pm.  The fire was into the attic when fire companies responded and was brought under control in about 20 minutes.

 

Heathens Rip Off Commuter
HOLLYWOOD --- On 7/24/02, between 0500 hours and 1730 hours, unknown suspect(s) broke into a vehicle parked at the commuter parking lot at the Hollywood
Regional Airport. Entry was gained by breaking out a window and opening the trunk with the inside button. The suspect(s) removed a camcorder, a
television , a speaker and two wheels from the trunk. Estimated value of the property is $1,200. Tpr. J. L. Greenwell is conducting this investigation.
Vandals Tear Up Gazebo
REDGATE --- On 7/28/02, TFC J. D. Vanhoy responded to the Chestnut Hills Subdivision in Leonardtown for a reported malicious destruction of property.
Investigation revealed between 7/26/02, at 1630 hours and 7/28/02, at 0100 hours, unknown suspect(s) damaged six wooden slats on the gazebo in the subdivision. Damage is estimated at $200. TFC Vanhoy is conducting
this investigation.
Pot Heads Traveling with Coke Head
MECHANICSVILLE --- On 7/26/02, at 1720 hours, Tpr. D. S. Whipp initiated a traffic stop on
a vehicle in Mechanicsville for a seat belt violation. Upon contacting the occupants, Tpr. Whipp detected the odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle. The 16 year old male driver from Mechanicsville, was subsequently arrested for driving while suspended. A search of the passengers was conducted incident to arrest. A pipe containing
suspected marijuana was found on a 17 year old male from
Mechanicsville. A baggie containing suspected marijuana residue, a  small stem of suspected marijuana and a five dollar bill containing suspected cocaine was found on Carl E. White, 21 years, of Mechanicsville. The three subjects were charged with possession of CDS and CDS paraphernalia. The two juveniles were released to their relatives and Mr. White was incarcerated in the Detention Center pending

a bond hearing.
Tools Stolen from Home Site
MECHANICSVILLE --- On 7/28/02, at approximately 1130 hours, unknown suspect(s) entered a residence under construction in Mechanicsville and removed a tile saw
and power tools. Entry was gained by kicking in the front door. Two commodes were also damaged during the incident. Estimated value of the tools is $1,500. Damage is estimated at $300. TFC D. W. Hill is conducting this investigation.

No Crime Before it's Time
CALIFORNIA --- On 7/30/02, at 1600 hours, a criminal summons was served on Catherine B. Davis, 41 years, of California, for making a false report of a crime.
Ms. Davis is accused of filing a false report of a destruction of property to her vehicle on 6/17/02. Tpr. J. L. Linger conducted this investigation.

Youths Nabbed Stealing
from Parked Cars
INDIAN HEAD --- On July 28 at approximately 3:18 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to a residence on the 4100 block of Windsor Heights Place for the report of suspicious activity. Investigation revealed one adult male, Angelo Michael Rabasco, 19, of Indian Head, and two juvenile males, a 15-year-old of Indian Head and a 16-year-old of Bryans Road, stole property from vehicles parked on Windsor Heights Place. The two juveniles were charged on Juvenile Offense Reports and released to their parents. Rabasco was charged with Theft Less Than $500 and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner. POII C. Shankster and POII J. Freeman investigated.

Woman Shoplifter Stabbed
Security Guard at Mall

WALDORF --- On July 26 at 9:15 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to Hecht's on the 11100 block of Mall Circle in Waldorf for a struggle between mall security and a shoplifter. Investigation revealed Susan Diane Brock, 45, of Bowie was attempting to steal bedding from the store. When she attempted to enter a vehicle, she was stopped by Hecht's security. Wayne Theodore Green, 47, of Bowie, who was with Brock, then used a knife to cut the security officer, causing minor injury. A struggle ensued between security and the two accused. Charles County Sheriff's officers arrived on the scene and placed the accused under arrest. Investigation revealed the vehicle driven by the accused was reported stolen through Montgomery County. A search yielded a knife, and Brock was found to be in possession of cocaine and paraphernalia. Green was charged with First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Theft Under $500, Theft Over $500, Possession of Deadly Weapon with Intent to Injure, Theft of Motor Vehicle, and Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond. Brock was charged with First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Theft Under $500, Theft Over $500, Theft of Motor Vehicle, Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle, Possession CDS: Cocaine and Possession CDS: Paraphernalia and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center of a $35,000. Additionally, she was found to have open warrants for Failure to Appear and two counts of Theft Under $500, and is being held on three- $5,000 bonds for each of those charges. The security officer was treated for his injuries on the scene. POII J. Pratta and PFC C. Baker investigated.

Midnight Building Supply
HUGHESVILLE --- Sometime between 4:30 p.m. on July 25 and 7 a.m. on July 26, unknown suspect(s) entered a house under construction on the 6300 block of Brookleigh Woods Lane in Hughesville and stole a GE microwave and a GE dishwasher. Both items are almond in color and are valued at more than $500. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. POI M. Kennedy is investigating.

Deer Damn Near Killed Motorist
On July 25 at 11:33 p.m., a Dodge van driven by Donald Ray Campbell, 62, of Bryans Road was traveling on the 7100 block of Billingsley Road in Bryans Road when the driver swerved to avoid hitting a deer crossing the roadway. The driver subsequently lost control of the vehicle and side-swiped a telephone pole before crossing the roadway and striking a tree head-on. The driver sustained minor injuries, including a laceration to his scalp and a fractured left ankle, and was taken to Fort Washington Hospital. No charges were filed. POI P. McDonald investigated.

Nothing Steals Like a Trane
WALDORF --- Sometime between 7:30 p.m. on July 18 and 6:30 p.m. on July 19, unknown suspect(s) stole a Trane heat pump condenser and a Trane air conditioning condenser from a house under construction. The items are both tan and color and are valued at more than $500. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-

932-2222. POI M. Kennedy is investigating.

 

 


No License but Pot Will Do Just Fine
MECHANICSVILLE --- On 7/17/02, at 0930 hours, Tpr. J. L. Linger stopped a vehicle in Mechanicsville, for a safety equipment violation.   A computer check on the driver revealed his license was suspended and he was wanted by the
Charles County Sheriff's Office.  Robert S. Hans, 33 years, of Mechanicsville, was placed under arrest.  A search revealed a CDS
smoking device containing suspected marijuana in the vehicle.  Mr. Hans
was charged with possession of CDS and incarcerated in the Detention
Center pending a bond hearing.

Tags Fly off Vehicle
MECHANICSVILLE --- Sometime between 7/17/02 at 1930 hours and 7/18/02 at 0630 hours,
unknown suspect(s) removed the rear Maryland registration plate, JYL 001, from a vehicle   parked at a residence in Mechanicsville.  Sgt. K. E. Barilone is conducting this investigation.

Fugitive Found
MECHANICSVILLE --- On 7/18/02, at 0956 hours, TFC J. D. Vanhoy stopped a vehicle in Mechanicsville, for a traffic violation.   A computer check on the passenger revealed he was wanted by the Dallas County Sheriff's Office in Texas.  Mr. Byrd was placed under arrest and incarcerated in the St. Mary's County Detention Center awaiting extradition back to Texas.
Deadhead Express
GREAT MILLS --- On 7/19/02, at 0245 hours, TFC M. D. McLean stopped a vehicle in Park Hall for a seatbelt violation.  Upon contacting the occupants, TFC McLean detected the odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle.
A search revealed a baggie containing suspected marijuana and a baggie
containing a partially burnt cigarette containing suspected marijuana in
the vehicle.  Dustin B. Kelly, 22 years, of Great Mills, was arrested and charged with possession of CDS and incarcerated in the Detention Center pending a bond hearing.   The passenger was released without charges.

Two Ring Event
LEXINGTON PARK --- On 7/20/02, at 0021 hours, TFC M. D. McLean responded to a residence in
Lexington Park, for a reported assault.  As a result, Ellis L. Heckler Jr., 38 years, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with 2nd
degree assault on a female at the residence.  Two rings valued at $600 were found on Mr. Heckler which were stolen from the victim and they were returned to her.  Mr. Heckler was also charged with theft over $500.  He was incarcerated in the Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Big Mouth Lands
Room at Hotel St. Mary's
LEXINGTON PARK --- On 7/20/02, at 0502 hours, TFC M. D. McLean responded to a residence in
Lexington Park, for a conservator of the peace.  While at the residence Anthony T. Robinson, 27 years, of Lexington Park, became belligerent.
Mr. Robinson was advised to calm down numerous times.  He refused and
was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.  He was incarcerated
in the Detention Center pending a bond review.

Stolen Tag Ticket to Jail
LEONARDTOWN --- On 7/20/02, at 0705 hours, Tpr. A. J. Rossignol observed a man sitting
on a motorcycle displaying a passenger vehicle plate on the shoulder of Route 245 in Leonardtown.  A computer check revealed the plate was registered to a 1989 Mazda and the motorcycle was reported stolen to the
St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office. Christopher S. Ireland, 19 years, of Leonardtown, was arrested  and charged with possession of stolen property.  He was incarcerated in the Detention Center pending a bond
review.

Tags Take Walk
LEXINGTON PARK --- On 7/20/02 between 2110 hours and 2230 hours, unknown suspect(s) removed
both the front and rear Maryland registration plate, JXR 575, from a
vehicle while parked at Millison Plaza in Lexington Park.  Cpl. R. W.
Redmond is conducting this investigation.

Trooper Arrests Teeny Bopper
after Bat Rampage

MECHANICSVILLE --- On 7/21/02, at 0431 hours, TFC M. D. McLean responded to a residence in Mechanicsville, for a destruction of property complaint.  Investigation revealed a 17 year old male from Mechanicsville, broke out several windows to the residence and a   vehicle with a baseball bat.  The juvenile then left in a vehicle and TFC McLean attempted  to locate him.  The juvenile returned  to the residence and caused a disturbance.
TFC McLean responded to the residence and arrested the juvenile where he
was charged with malicious destruction of property over $500.  He was released to his parent pending action by juvenile authorities.

Two Calvert Motorcycle
Cops Run Into Each Other

EASTON ---  Two Calvert Sheriff's Deputies taking place in a police escort for a fundraiser for the Benedictine School, which assists children and adults with developmental disabilities, wrecked on Sunday and were flown to hospitals.  A motorcycle operated by Dfc. Joseph Carnes struck a bike operated by Deputy David Denton.  No one else was involved. Denton was treated and released while Carnes is listed as in good condition but is still in the hospital, according to Sgt. Cindy Allen of the Calvert Sheriff''s Department.
Pizza Delivery Driver Robbed

WALDORF ---  A driver for the Mama Mia Pizza was robbed at gunpoint on Saturday near the Holly Hill Apartments, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Department.
Suspect one brandished a handgun and suspect two assaulted the victim. The suspects robbed the victim of an undisclosed amount of money and then fled the scene on foot in the direction of Holly Station. Suspect one is described as a black male between the ages of 16 and 20, approximately 6 feet tall with a thin build, light complexion and braided hair. He was last seen wearing a gray sleeveless shirt, black baggy sweat pants and white shoes and was armed with a handgun.
Suspect two is described as a black male between the ages of 16 and 20, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall with a heavy build, dark complexion and shaved head. He was last seen wearing a dark shirt and shorts. Suspect three is described as a male wearing a black ball cap and a black shirt with red writing on the front. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. Cpl. R. Zink is investigating.
Shirley Nabbed DWI and Speeding
LA PLATA --- On July 21 at 2 a.m., PFC J. Carlson was patrolling in the 6800 block of Crain Highway in La Plata when he observed a 2002 GMC Envoy traveling northbound at a high rate of speed, drifting from the right lane onto the shoulder. Officer Carlson conducted a traffic stop on the
vehicle, driven by Shirlene Pearson, 53, of Washington, D.C. Pearson was charged with
Speeding and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and is being held at the Charles County
Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
Nissan Was Too Fast, Say Police:
WHITE PLAINS --- On July 20 at 3:27 a.m., a Nissan Altima driven by Brian Carroll Crawford, 27, of White Plains, was traveling eastbound on Billingsley Road in the area of Annies Place when the vehicle began to skid while rounding a curve in the road. The vehicle entered the
westbound lane, then returned to the eastbound lane, striking an embankment and subsequently
overturning. Crawford sustained a minor laceration on his right arm but did not require hospital treatment. Speed was a factor in this crash. No charges have been filed at this time. POII C. Shankster investigated.
Booze Cruise Sidelined
WHITE PLAINS --- On July 20 at 2:10 a.m., PFC J. Carlson observed a 2002
Ford Taurus traveling at a high rate of speed on Crain Highway and drifting across the
northbound lanes and onto the shoulder. Officer Carlson conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on the 5200 block of Crain Highway, in the area of Washington Road in White Plains. The driver, James Lee Brown, 49, of Crofton, was subsequently charged with Speeding and Driving Under the Influence and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
Home Vandalized

INDIAN HEAD --- Sometime between 4 p.m. July 18 and 8 a.m. July 19, unknown suspect(s) painted obscenities on a residence in the 100 block of Jenkins Drive in Indian Head. The suspect(s) also defaced the victim's driveway and trees. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-2222. POI J. Bender is investigating.

 

CCSO Narcotics Investigators
Arrest 12 on Drug Charges

A three-month investigation by the Charles County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Section ended with the arrest of 12 individuals on the evening of March 15 at residences in La Plata and Indian Head. Eight warrants were obtained prior to executing the search and seizure at six different apartments and a townhome located in the Meadows neighborhood of Kent Avenue in La Plata and a residence on Park Square Court in Indian Head.

"The amount of time and dedication given toward this investigation over the last three months was apparent, as it resulted in high quality cases. This investigation took a lot of effort and assistance from our patrol officers, detectives and supervisors. During several phases of the investigation we were met with different obstacles, but with ingenuity and technology available to us, we were able to overcome those obstacles," said Lt. Brian Eley, commander of the Vice/Narcotics Section.

Sheriff's detectives seized crack cocaine with the street value of over $5,000 and over $2,500 in U.S. currency. Twelve people were arrested and charged with numerous drug violations.

Those arrested included:

Aaron Deshaun Cole, 21, of La Plata, charged with Distribution of Cocaine; 
Angela Marie Stewart, 35, of La Plata, charged with three counts of Distribution of Cocaine; 
James Nathaniel Jones, 33, of Waldorf, charged with two counts of Distribution of Cocaine;  
Joseph Frederick Curtis, 42, of La Plata, charged with six counts of Distribution of Cocaine;
Dewey Irvin Carroll, 21, of Indian Head, charged with two counts of Distribution of Cocaine;
Raymond Harry Warren, 18, of La Plata, charged with one count of Distribution of Cocaine;
Veronica Rosemary Baylor, 42, of La Plata, charged with Possession With Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine;  Wendy Kaye Freeman, 29, of La Plata, charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of CDS Paraphernalia; 
Latonya Antwanetta Dyson, 20, of Waldorf, charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of CDS Paraphernalia; 
Anthony Lionel Wills, 39, of La Plata, charged with Possession of Cocaine; 
Brian Thomas, 22, of Forestville, charged with Possession of Cocaine; and 
John Francis Duckett Jr., 48, of La Plata, charged with Possession of Cocaine.

"In order to maintain enforcement, different segments of the Sheriff's Office will be meeting to formulate an after-action plan. This will be done in cooperation with the La Plata

Town Police's Community Oriented Policing Unit. We want to discuss the issues that affect these neighborhoods, and come up with a high visibility crime prevention plan to cut down on reoccurance," said Eley.

The Calvert County Sheriff's Office, La Plata Town Police, Maryland State Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Group 34 assisted the CCSO with the investigation, as well as CCSO patrol officers, who provided valuable information and intelligence in the identification and apprehension of certain suspects.

The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are expected.


CORRECTION:
Jason Edmund Murphy, 21, of Waldorf, was mistakenly identified by the Charles County Sheriff's Dept.as the driver at fault in a accident that took place on Feb. 14 at 10:21 p.m. at the intersection of Route 228 and Western Parkway. Murphy, who was driving a Dodge Ram, had the green arrow to turn left from Route 228 onto southbound Western Parkway. His vehicle was struck by a Mazda 626 traveling east on Route 228, when the driver, a 17-year male from Upper Marlboro, failed to stop at the red light. Murphy was uninjured in the incident. The driver of the Mazda was charged with Failure to Stop at Red Light and was taken by ambulance to Southern Maryland Hospital Center where he was treated for chest pain due to his seat belt. POI J. Freeman investigated.

BREAKING AND ENTERING:
Sometime between 8:30 p.m. March 1 and 4:30 p.m. March 4, unknown suspect(s) gained entry into a residence on the 10600 block of Princess Diana Court in La Plata and stole several tools and a CD/radio player, valued over $300. Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301- 932-2222. POII M. McCarthy is investigating.

HANDGUN IN VEHICLE/THEFT:
On March 1 at 6:30 p.m. Sheriff's officers responded to a business on the 2500 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf for a reported fight in progress involving a handgun. Prior to officers' arrival, the accused fled the scene in a GMC Suburban. The vehicle was observed at the intersection of Route 301 and Acton Lane where a traffic stop was conducted. Officers recovered a loaded .45 caliber handgun from inside the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that the handgun had been reported stolen through Prince George's County. The occupants of the vehicle, Damian Marcellus Graham, 29, of Waldorf and Dominique Lashawn Mason, 23, of Indian Head, were arrested, charged with Handgun in Vehicle and Theft Under $500, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner. POII L. Potter investigated.

DRUG SEARCH WARRANT EXECUTED:
On March 2 at 6:30 a.m. Detectives with the Charles County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit, assisted by members of the Emergency Services Team, executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence on the 10100 block of Tucker Lane in White Plains. Quantities of suspected marijuana, cocaine, ketamine and drug paraphernalia were recovered. The accused, Austin Allen Bruno, 23, Lisa Dyane Moore, 26, and Kathryn Anne Bruno, 42, all of White Plains, were found inside the residence. They were arrested, charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Cocaine and Possession of CDS Paraphernalia, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner. Additional arrests are pending further investigation.

MALICIOUS BURNING/TRESPASSING/RESISTING ARREST: On March 2 at 7 p.m. POI M. Bintliff responded to the 3100 block of Billingsley Road in Bryans Road for a report of trespassing. Upon arrival, Officer Bintliff made contact with the victim who stated that the accused, Mark Frederick Henson, 44, of no fixed address, was burning things on the property.

Officer Bintliff made contact with the accused and a small fire was observed on the property. The accused was subsequently taken into custody at which time he resisted by struggling with officers. Henson was charged with Malicious Burning, Trespassing, Threats of Arson and Resisting Arrest, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED: On March 3 at 2:16 a.m. POI G. Higgs observed a 1988 Mercedes passenger car traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Mattawoman Beantown Road in Waldorf. Officer Higgs conducted a traffic stop and investigation revealed that the driver, Melvin Joseph Baker, 42, of Bryans Road, was operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages. Baker was arrested, charged with DWI and other traffic violations, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.

VIOLATION OF PROTECTIVE ORDER: On March 3 at 6:15 a.m. POI P. Anderson was on patrol on the 4600 block of Leonardtown Road in Waldorf when he observed a red Ford Focus cross the center line of the roadway several times. Officer Anderson conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. A computer check revealed that the passenger in the vehicle, a 20-year-old Waldorf female, has an active protective order against the driver of the vehicle, John Michael Ellsworth Jr., 20, of Waldorf, ordering him not to have any contact with her. Ellsworth was arrested, charged with Failure To Comply With Protective Order, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA/PARAPHERNALIA: On March 3 at approximately 7 p.m. POII H. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet Berretta traveling on the 2500 block of Old Washington Road in Waldorf after observing it weaving across the double yellow line several times. Officer Smith made contact with the driver, June Stephanie Barrett, 33, of Waldorf, and further investigation revealed several suspected marijuana and crack cocaine smoking devices containing residue inside the vehicle. Barrett was arrested, charged with Possession of CDS Paraphernalia and Possession of CDS-Marijuana, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.

SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: On March 3 at 11:45 p.m. POI P. Anderson responded to the 15000 block of Woodville Road in Waldorf for a reported domestic assault. Officer Anderson made contact with the victim, a 40-year-old female, who stated that she and her boyfriend, Joseph Axavier Stewart Sr., 42, of Newburg, were involved in an argument during which Stewart allegedly struck her in the side and forehead and grabbed her around the throat. Officer Anderson observed marks around the victim's throat. The victim stated that the incident resulted from a dispute about her car keys which Stewart allegedly took from her. Stewart was arrested, charged with Second Degree Domestic Assault, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.

FALSE REPORT OF ARMED ROBBERY:
On March 4 at 5:05 p.m. Sheriff's officers responded to the Hughesville Amoco on the 7700 block of Leonardtown Road for a reported armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a juvenile employee who claimed he was robbed by a male who implied he had a gun. At about 9 p.m. detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division received information that the robbery did not occur and that the money had been stolen by an employee. Detectives interviewed the juvenile employee a second time and he eventually admitted to his involvement in the incident. The money was recovered a short time later in an abandoned vehicle on Gallant Green Road, just a few miles from the scene. Charges are pending against several suspects. Detective Ben Voorhaar is investigating.

FIRST DEGREE BURGLARY: On March 4 at 8 p.m. an unknown suspect broke into a residence on the 5000 block of Michael Road in Waldorf while the victim was at home. The suspect entered through a window, ran through the house, and exited through the back door. Nothing was stolen from the residence. Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-7777. POII S. Burrows is investigating.

 


STRONG ARMED ROBBERY: On Feb. 19 at approximately 9:45 p.m. Sheriff's officers responded to the 1000 block of St. Ignatius Drive in Waldorf for a reported armed robbery. Officers made contact with the victim, a 37-year-old Waldorf male, who reported that he was robbed by two black males wearing dark clothing while walking in the wooded area behind a nearby business. One of the suspects allegedly held the victim, while the other suspect went through his pockets, taking his wallet and cash valued under $500. The stolen items were recovered a short time later in the area. Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-7777. POI P. McPherson is continuing this investigation.

ASSAULT/DISORDERLY CONDUCT:
On Feb. 21 at 1:30 a.m. POII C. Bean was conducting routine patrol on the 2900 block of Festival Way in Waldorf when he observed a red Nissan 200SX pull behind Topolino's restaurant, which was closed. Upon making contact with the three occupants of the vehicle, one of the passengers, Timothy Joel Allen, 20, of La Plata, became disorderly. Allen refused several requests to calm down and escalated the incident by assaulting one of the officers on the scene. Allen was arrested, charged with Second Degree Assault on Police Officer and Disorderly Conduct, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.



State Police Nab 3 Men,
1 Woman on Drug Charges

LEONARDTOWN --- Maryland State Police Trooper D. W. Hill at Budds Creek on 1/16/01 at 10 pm assisted an off-duty trooper with a traffic stop and found Scott A. McClanahan Jr, 20, of Mechanicsville intoxicated and charged him with DWI and a search of his person revealed a pipe with marijuana residue.
Hash Head

On 1/17/01 at 5:17 pm, Tfc. Mark McLean stopped a vehicle in Valley Lee for traffic violations and found that Charlie H. Elliott 3rd, 23, of Leonardtown also was in possession of Hashish and a Hash pipe (no corn beef).  The 3rd went to the slammer pending a bail bond review.
Pot Pals
The same date, Tfc. Hill was back on patrol and stopped a vehicle in Mechanicsville for a traffic violation and locked up a pair of potheads: Pamela C. Glynn, 32, of Mechanicsville and William J. Howard, 28, of Waldorf.  They were sent to the slammer and got the honeymoon suite pending a date with the District Court Commissioner.


Historical Vandalism

WALDORF --- Sometime between 8:30 p.m. Jan. 15 and 10 a.m. nJan. 16, unknown suspect(s) stole items from the outside of a residence on the 5400 block of Talapia Court in Waldorf. The suspect(s) also spray-painted the name of a historical figure on the fence. The stolen property and property damage are estimated to be valued under $500. Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-7777. POI J. Elliott is investigating.

Wild Man of Borneo Visits Waldorf
WALDORF -- On Jan. 16 at 10:55 p.m. POII K. Syvertsen responded to the 2500 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf for a report of a fight on the side of the road. Upon arrival, Officer Syvertsen observed the accused, John Wright Adams, 30, of Waldorf, kick a 35- year-old Waldorf male in the back. Adams then tried to kick Officer Syvertsen and spit on him.

Adams was subsequently arrested, charged with two counts of Assault Second Degree, and held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.

Broken Windows Not Cheaper by the Dozen
WALDORF --- Sometime between 7 p.m. Jan. 16 and 8:15 a.m. Jan. 17, unknown suspect(s) shattered the windows of three vehicles located on Industrial Park Drive in Waldorf. The suspect(s) entered the vehicles and stole property, including one Clarionin-dash stereo, one 10-inch Bazooka base tube and one Alpine 300-watt amplifier. The stolenproperty is valued over $500; property damage is valued under $500. Anyone with moreinformation about this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff's Office at 301-932-7777. POI G. Higgs is investigating.

 


No Experience Over Black Female Who Does

Commentary on the News
By Kenneth C. Rossignol
ST. MARY'S TODAY
LEONARDTOWN --- St. Mary's Sheriff Richard Voorhaar has appointed a sheriff's department sergeant who has no proven administrative experience or any experience in operating a detention center to take over as the warden of the county's jail.

As the new acting commander of the jail, Sgt. David Zylak, will take over command of the jail with Lt. Lennon, a black female, passed over for possible promotion to the top post and she will likely have to show Zylak how to do his job.

Senior sheriff's deputies recently pressured Voorhaar into replacing former Detention Center Director Benny Hodges after several correctional officers objected to orders that Hodges had issued prohibiting jailers from reading materials unrelated to their jobs or sleeping at their duty posts.

Hodges, who suffered from chronic migraine headaches and occasionally would have to take a nap, was reported to Voorhaar to be sleeping on the job himself and the sheriff finally gave in to the white top-level deputies who wanted the black jail director dismissed. Hodges finally resigned last month.

Zylak's recent elevation in status comes with his promotion to the rank of sergeant two years ago after he married into a prominent large family thereby increasing his political value to Voorhaar. Previously, Zylak was one of the agency's longest running corporals.

Another politically influenced appointment to the rank of sergeant, that of Edward Willenborg, a deputy for only 8 years, came after many campaign contributions to Voorhaar were made by him and his family. Willenborg is the son-in-law of real estate developer and attorney Oliver Guyther, a former Maryland delegate, and is also the brother-in-law of St. Mary's State's Attorney Richard Fritz.

Zylak spent the previous ten years as a corporal, a longer time period than the entire career of Willenborg.

While most promotions made in the sheriff's department elicit strong comment among the rank and file due to the usual circumstances that the promotions are not made from the top of the eligibility lists but rather are in fulfillment to campaign promises, the recent promotion of Willenborg has been producing a higher level of criticism than seen before.

But it is Zylak's promotion that may cause serious harm to the county as the jail operations account for a large percentage of lawsuits against the county and pose serious risk.

There have been two turnovers in the position of jail director in the past 18 months and the instability of the jail operations may be yet another reason for the county commissioners to consider switching over to a professional county police department as well as assuming direct control of the detention center.

Without any experience or training in the operation of a detention center Zylak will have two strikes against him with the first being Lt. Lennon's resentment at being passed over the opportunity herself.

Lennon is a 20-year veteran of the facility, having been promoted through the ranks.

When it has been politically advantageous to Voorhaar, he has gone to political functions such as the annual Salt & Pepper dinner with his black top jail guard in tow, to show those concerned about equal opportunities that he is serious about racial harmony and giving blacks a chance. As soon as the dinner is over, Voorhaar dumps off his black lackey and continues his policy of discrimination as evidenced by his almost exclusive hiring of white males as new deputies since taking office.

Because the federal officials allow Voorhaar to count his total employment together, his racial hiring figures are good. That's because he hires almost all blacks at the jail and almost all whites as deputies.

If the St. Mary's County Commissioners strip Voorhaar of the jail, he'll have a hard time maintaining his policy of discrimination in hiring and promotions.





 


Richard Fritz: His Own Words

( 6/22/99) The following is an interview with Carla Henning Bailey

Bailey told ST. MARY’S TODAY that she wanted to go "one-on-one" with Richard Fritz to answer his public statements that what occurred in November of 1964 at a house on St. George’s Island with her, Fritz and two other young men was a case of consensual sex, while she contends she was forcibly raped.

Bailey first disclosed her story in April, charging that she had been raped, saying that she wanted to be identified as the victim, pointing out that she had done nothing wrong or had done anything to be ashamed of. Bailey says that she wants to be able to tell what really happened as she is furious that Fritz is painting her to be tramp.

Bailey listened to an tape of a radio broadcast interview of Fritz which took place the day after last fall’s local election in which Fritz won the contest for St. Mary’s State’s Attorney. She also read a Washington Post article about the incident.

Fritz was asked on the broadcast about the ST. MARY’S TODAY election day news article which disclosed that Fritz had pleaded guilty and been convicted of a sexual assault on a 15-year-old girl and been sentenced to 18 months in prison, which was then reduced to supervised probation. Two other young men were also sentenced by the court.

Fritz’s supporters, most of whom were St. Mary’s Sheriff’s deputies, went out on election eve and in the early morning hours before the polls opened on election day and swept the news stands clear of all available copies of the newspaper.

A WMDM interviewer asked Fritz a series of questions in a live interview. Questions were posed to Bailey last week after she heard Fritz for the first time, in the radio interview.

Bailey was then asked questions about Fritz’s statements on the broadcast and the article in the Post.

RICHARD FRITZ: "When a person goes out and blatantly lies it really bothers me."

ST. MARY’S TODAY : Fritz has called the ST. MARY’S TODAY reporting of him and two others raping you, as you have stated, a lie, calling it in a radio interview, "a blatant lie". How do you feel about his statement?

CARLA BAILEY: "No, that is not so, it is not a lie," said Bailey.

RICHARD FRITZ: "Obviously hormones were running full blast, I had a relationship with a girl that was one month from legal age."

CARLA BAILEY: "We never had any relationship, it was rape, until then I only knew him from around the school and the neighborhood and I went to his house with my friend Liz who dated him and twice I went over to his house with her, but we never had anything of a relationship, we lived in the same area, not far from each other in the small houses at Piney Point across from the Seafarer’s School.

He was a good looking guy but Liz liked him, she had his ring for two weeks. It wasn’t any relationship between us, it was a rape, and it wasn’t just Fritz, it was two others, they also did it. I begged and pleaded with them to stop, finally it was over.

When I called my mother and told her you were interviewing me, my mother said that if my father were alive, he would be right down there in that county and buying that paper, he would be glad to see that something was finally going to happen to them."

Fritz was asked on the radio show to characterize what really took place.

FRITZ: "The nature of the charge was one count of carnal knowledge, where a person of 18 had sex with a person under the age of 16, it is not a dark diabolical crime, it is a crime against age. Maryland is one of the only states where mistake of age is not a defense, if the act occurred, period, it is a violation of the law, one cannot come in and say my Lord, the girl told me she was 18 and I believed it."

FRITZ: "I was 18, I did what came natural when I was 18, I was probably myself a virgin or close to being a virgin at the time, Rossignol says this was a gang situation, it wasn’t, but I’ll tell you this, there were several other persons out there who got themselves in trouble with the same thing, they were doing what comes natural to them too.

It would lead the public into the impression that it was a forceful act, which was a complete baloney.

If that same act was to occur today between a young man who is 18 and 15, it is not a violation of the law anymore."

CARLA: "It was forcible, it was a gang rape. He tried to make it sound like it was three separate times, not the same time.

I feel better that it is out, I feel that people should know, I know who is telling the truth, if he would have said the words that he was sorry in the first place and if he had told the truth it would never have come out, he is still lying about it, now in the Washington Post article, now he is getting other people involved, in referring to my parents. I don’t think it was my parents that called the police and got them involved, it was either the school or the hospital, because I hadn’t told my parents, Mr. Duke called my parents up the next day at school and my mother took me to the Naval Air Station hospital.

If he would have said it in the first place now, at the election, like he did when he was 18 years old and he plead guilty at the time, why can’t he just speak the truth now."

RICHARD FRITZ: "There was obviously a conspiracy between Mr. Rossignol and my opponent to come out, to do this, to blast it, to mislead the public, to totally mislead the public and to make me look like, uh, my God, I was Jack the Ripper or something, solely for the purposes of deceiving the public."

ST. MARY’S TODAY: What would Jack the Ripper do different to you than what you say they did?

CARLA BAILEY: "Kill me.

I am 5’ 1" and about 105 pounds and give or take a couple of pounds I am the same size as at that age of 15.

One of them was in his 20’s, Fritz was 18 and the other was 17, that one was a big kid who played football and Fritz is big next to me, about 5’10 and I remember the older one as being fat.

Fritz didn’t think this was ever going to come back on him or that I was going to come out and tell the truth, he thought he was going to get away with it, the girl and her brother who were there weren’t going to talk about it, with me being out of town, he felt like it wasn’t going to come out.

I don’t know Jack the Ripper, I knew these people and I didn’t expect to be raped by them.

"He continues to paint me as a tramp"

--- Carla Henning Bailey

I ended up contacting the newspaper and told my story and nothing has been heard of him since.

Neither ST. MARY’S TODAY or the Washington Post changed any words in my story, both got my story right.

ST. MARY’S TODAY: " Do you think Richard Fritz should be State’s Attorney?"

CARLA BAILEY: "I really don’t think he should have the position, I didn’t think he should have the position when he became an attorney. He is not telling people the truth when he says on the tape that it was three different times, that’s what the tape sounds like to me, he continues to paint me as a tramp. It wasn’t consent, I screamed, I was trying to get away and I couldn’t because one was holding my ankles and one was holding my arms.""

ST. MARY’S TODAY: "This hasn’t healed with time, do you know why?"

CARLA BAILEY: "I don’t know why it isn’t, it was one big scar to me, its like when you fall down and get a scrape on your knee and it heels and you get a scar and it reminds of the pain over again, it opened the wound when I heard he was calling this consensual sex."



Fritz Was Forced Into Court To Pay Child Support While In Charge of Locking Up Dead-Beat Dads

By Kenneth C. Rossignol

ST. MARY'S TODAY

LEONARDTOWN --- According to St. Mary's Circuit Court records, St. Mary's State's Attorney Richard D. Fritz was forced into a Circuit Court by his first ex-wife in 1982 to provide child support for the couple's child who was 16 years of age.

Court records show that on January 25, 1982, that Sheila Hare Presley, whom Fritz married in 1966 and divorced in 1969, filed proceedings with the St. Mary's Circuit Court to require that her ex-husband provide child support for their daughter.

Fritz had worked as an assistant state's attorney, under State's Attorney C. Clarke Raley, and in that capacity, had locked up men in St. Mary's County for failing to pay their child support. His present job is responsible for enforcement of child support.

Due to Fritz's employment in the state's attorneys office, a special prosecutor was appointed to prosecute Fritz. James A. Kenney III, now a Maryland Appeals Court Judge, represented the State of Maryland in the proceedings against Fritz who was the defendant, which were filed under the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, as Presley lived in Virginia.

On June 8, 1982, an agreement stipulating Fritz's financial support for his child was agreed to and filed in the record and the Order was signed by a Judge later that month.

Besides ordering that Fritz pay for the support of his child, an act that Presley contends he failed to do for most of the girl's life until the agreement was signed, Fritz was ordered to pay for one-half of her college education. In an interview last week, Presley told ST. MARY'S TODAY that he had not lived up to that part of the agreement and that she never pursued him in court for the money as she was tired of the hassle of doing so.

A message left for Fritz, at his office, requesting comment prior to deadline was not returned.

The Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Deputy Clerk then filed an action in 1983, once again while Fritz was still an assistant state's attorney, informing the St. Mary's Circuit Court that Fritz was still not complying with the order of the court, to which he had agreed the previous year.

"Respondent in the above styled cause is not complying with the order of support," wrote Deputy Clerk Margaret Pike, who noted in the filing that Fritz was a prosecutor at the St. Mary's courthouse. "Please take whatever action you consider proper to obtain enforcement of the Court Order."

Presley said that Fritz was a struggling college student and was unable to provide much in the way of support with only a few payments ever made while he was in college. But after he graduated and became employed as a public defender, was in private practice and became a prosecutor, he still failed to pay child support and she said that she decided to force him to do so.

"He never stayed in touch with our daughter," said Presley, who contacted ST. MARY'S TODAY last week, "but after the court proceedings he paid after that."

Presley said that she had heard about the allegations made by Carla Henning Bailey that the incident which took place on St. Georges Island in 1964 which Bailey contends was a case of gang rape in which Fritz and two others held her down and forcibly raped her, while Fritz contends was a case of consensual sex. Fritz later pled guilty to having sexual relations with a minor child, as Bailey was 15 at the time, and was sentenced to a 18 months in prison.

Presley said that while she was not there when the alleged rape took place, she doubted that Fritz had forced himself on Bailey as there were many girls who were lining up to have sex with him at the time.

"I was going with him at time and he told me what he had done," said Presley, "that she got worried and changed her story, he said she let them do that."

Bailey contends that she screamed for help the entire time the three young men were raping her.

Presley said that every time the child support case was ready to go to court something happened to delay it, noting that Fritz would claim that he didn't know her whereabouts.

"I told him years ago that he should have been a car salesman," said Presley. "He had a rough life growing up and he's done well compared to the way he grew up, he had to care for his younger brother and sister while others his age were out having fun, he grew up fast. There is still a lot of pity in me for him."

Presley said that following the court's order she finally got money from Fritz, only after their child was 16, but that she never collected on the costs of their daughter attending college. She claims that Fritz told her to pay the costs and then he would pay her half.

"We never pursued it," said Presley, "he never paid it."



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.