LEONARDTOWN, Md. (May 28, 2010) - The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
FOURTH DEGREE BURGLARY, VIOLATION OF PROTECTIVE ORDER: On September 9, 2009 Ronald Lee Hartley, 24 of no fixed address, was served with a protective order ordering no contact between him and the petitioner of the order. On May 23 at approximately 6:40 am Hartley broke into the petitioner/victim's residence. A neighbor observed Hartley entering the residence and called 911. When deputies arrived on the scene they found Hartley inside of the residence attempting to speak with the victim. The victim told deputies that her residence was locked and Hartley entered without her permission. Deputies confirmed that the order against Hartley was still active. Hartley was arrested and charged with fourth degree burglary and violating a protective order.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, ASSAULT: On May 26, deputies responded to a motor vehicle property damage collision on Marshall Road in California. Witnesses reported a silver Chrysler PT Cruiser operated by a white male, with brown hair and yellow shirt, drove at a high rate of speed and failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle left the roadway and drove on to private property, across a flower bed and struck a tree stump. The driver fled the scene of the collision in the PT Cruiser. A broadcast was dispatched for the striking vehicle and driver. The vehicle and operator, Christopher Dale Knott, 36 of Callaway, were located on St. Andrew's Church Road in California with a flat tire a short distance from the collision. Deputy Ellis contacted Knott and as he was speaking with him, he noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage upon Knott's breath and person. Knott was given a standardized field sobriety test. As a result of the test, Knott was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. As Knott was being transported to the detention center he struck rear passenger window of Deputy Ellis' police cruiser several times and broke it. Once inside the detention center, during the booking procedures, Knott kicked a correctional officer. Knott was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, destruction of property, and second degree assault.
SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: On May 24, Deputy First Class Meyer responded to a residence on Bayside Way in California for a report of an assault. Upon arrival, Dfc. Meyer found the victim lying in a fetal position on the sidewalk outside of the residence. The victim told the deputy that she was involved in a verbal dispute, over relationship issues, with Chu Thanh Nyuyen, 43 of California. The verbal dispute escalated into a physical assault when Nyuyen sat on top of the victim and struck her several times in the head and lower abdomen. The victim was able to break free from the attack by biting Nyuyen. The victim attempted to call 911 but Nyuyen took the phone from her preventing her from calling. Nyuyen then threw the victim to the floor and began striking her in the head once again. The victim again broke free and ran screaming from the residence. Neighbors heard the victim's screams and called the police. As Dfc. Meyer spoke with Nyuyen, he noticed Nyuyen was extremely intoxicated. Nyuyen was arrested and charged with second degree assault.
CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE VIOLATION: On May 25, deputies were working a traffic enforcement operation in the area of Three Notch Road and Old Flora Corner Road in Mechanicsville. A 2010 Toyota Camry entered the deputy's radar beam. The radar indicated the vehicle was traveling at a speed of one hundred and three (103) miles per hour in a fifty-five (55) mile per hour zone. Other deputies who were traveling in the area were radioed the lookout for the Toyota Camry. The vehicle then entered a second radar beam traveling at eighty (80) miles per hour in a fifty-five (55) mile per hour zone. Deputies activated their emergency equipment and pursued the speeding vehicle. The vehicle attempted to turn into the 7-11 parking lot, struck a curb and stalled. Deputies approached the vehicle as the driver attempted to exit the passenger side door. As the operated exited the vehicle, deputies discovered two syringes lying on the floorboard of the vehicle. Further search of the vehicle revealed a metal spoon containing a white powder substance (suspected cocaine). The operator of the vehicle initially gave the deputies a false name but was later positively identified through the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicle's photograph data base as Michael Leonard Semiklose, 24 of Hollywood. Semiklose was arrested and charged with several motor vehicle traffic violations, as well as, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia and making false statement to a police officer.
SEEKING OWNERS OF RECOVERED PROPERTY: Investigators from the St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) have been investigating a series of thefts from unsecured motor vehicles and garages in the Lexington Park and California areas during May of 2010. Numerous items of property have been recovered which BCI detectives are attempting to identify the owners. Individuals who are missing property and believe they may have been a victim in this series of crimes should contact Tfc. Leo Nims at 301-475-4200 extension 1947.