Illegal Alien Nabbed in Phony Government Check Scam

LEXINGTON PARK --- A scam of merchants utilizing fake U. S. Treasury checks hit a Lexington Park liquor store operator but ended with the quick capture of a suspect who police say is an illegal alien who has been running the scam nationwide.
According to the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Dept. Special Operations Warrant Division Officers observed a Hispanic male exiting a Lexington Park liquor store and begin to run eastbound on Great Mills Road with a store employee exiting the establishment as well. Believing that a crime had taken place the Officers chased the subject into a nearby Fast Food Store. The owner of the store identified the suspect as a person who tried to cash a United States Treasury check that was stolen from the State of Texas. Detectives from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations continued the investigation.
Jose Valladares, 25, of Hyattsville, was detained and found to be in possession of a stolen and altered Government check as well as fictitious identification. Police report that Valladares is an illegal alien and was connected to a much larger Country wide scam. He was charged with theft of the check, counterfeiting and uttering a false or altered document.
From the earlier arrest that was made related to the same crime, Detectives were assisted by the United States Treasury Department, United States Secret Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A detainer was filed by ICE in the event Suspect Valladares is granted bond.

Drug Duo Forgot To Close Trunk
K-9 Unit tracked down suspect as he attempted to flee--twice
LEONARDTOWN --- On June 3rd, 2006 at 1:30 AM detectives from the St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations were in the Leonardtown area working a separate investigation when a suspicious vehicle was observed sitting in an intersection with it’s engine running and trunk lid open with two occupants inside.
The detectives approached the vehicle and made contact with the occupants identified as 19 year old Charles Edwin Compton Jr. and 22 year old Kristel Ann King, both of Leonardtown. During the course of speaking with the occupants, it was discovered that there were illegal controlled dangerous substances inside the vehicle. Charles Compton attempted to flee the area on foot and assaulted one of the detectives in the process. Detectives gave chase and Compton entered the woods and avoided apprehension. Kristel King then took control of the vehicle and fled the scene.
A K-9 Unit from the Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene and began a track of the suspect.
As officers began collecting evidence left behind from the fleeing vehicle, an unrelated vehicle attempted to pass the scene. Detectives questioned the driver to see if they had observed the fleeing suspect in the area at which time Suspect Compton was discovered hiding inside the vehicle. He again attempted to flee the area on foot at which time detectives and deputies struggled with Compton until he was placed into custody.
King’s purse was recovered at the scene and suspected Heroine, cocaine, smoking devices, and syringes were recovered by detectives.
Although Suspect King was able to avoid apprehension initially she turned herself in to deputies the following day. Both subjects were charged and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. Suspect Compton was charged with Felony Assault on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroine, and Possession of Paraphernalia. Suspect King was charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroine, and Possession of Paraphernalia and Fleeing and Eluding Police in a Vehicle. Additional charges of assault and resisting arrest are pending against Compton.