LEONARDTOWN, Md. (July 29, 2013)—The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
2013 FALL CITIZENS ACADEMY: Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron, announces open enrollment for the Sheriff's Office - 2013 Fall Citizens Academy. The academy provides an in-depth look into programs and services the Sheriff's Office provides to the community, as well as day-to-day operations.
When: August 22, 2013 through October 10, 2013
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, 23150 Leonard Hall Dr., Leonardtown, MD 20650
Persons interested must be over the age of 18 and submit an application. To register for the academy, contact Ms. Kelly Castle at (301) 475 - 4200 ext. 1910, Kelly.Castle
(at) stmarysmd.com or apply online at http://www.firstsheriff.com
WANTED: On July 22, officers made contact with a stabbing victim in Loveville. Officers learned the victim was at a business in Leonardtown when she was approached by Joseph Francis Berry, 49, of Mechanicsville. Berry and the victim are known to each other and their relationship recently ended. Berry produced a knife and had the victim drive him to a parking lot in Loveville. Once in the parking lot Berry stabbed the victim numerous times. The victim escaped from the vehicle and fled on foot for help. Berry fled the scene in the victim's blue, 2001 Ford Focus registration 3AH7432. The victim was transported to a medical facility for treatment. Detectives from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) responded and assumed the investigation.
Since the initial report, officers have made numerous attempts to locate Berry without success. Berry is wanted on charges of Armed Car Jacking, First Degree Assault, Theft of a Motor Vehicle and other related charges. Berry is a registered lifetime sex offender and detectives are asking for the public's assistance in locating Berry and the vehicle. Berry is considered armed and extremely dangerous. Anyone with information regarding Berry's location is asked to contact local law enforcement immediately.
Persons wishing to provide information can directly contact Det. Elizabeth Croyle at (301) 475-4200 x 1965. You may also provide information by contacting the Sheriff's Office at (301) 475-8008 (24/7), Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333 or Text your information to CRIMES (274637). Simply enter "TIP239" (847239) before your tip. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.
CELL PHONE ACCOUNT FRAUD ALERT: The Sheriff's Office has recently received a report of cell phone account fraud. The victim's Verizon cell phone stopped functioning. When the victim contacted Verizon to report the inoperative cell phone the victim was told the cell phone was upgraded, additional phones purchased, the primary account information and the telephone numbers were all changed. The only information not changed on the account was the victim's social security number and credit card billing information. Further investigation revealed the upgrade and account change occurred at a retail store in New York, New York. The victim explained to Verizon that he was not in New York, did not purchase new cell phones nor did he authorize any changes to the account.
The Sheriff's Office would like to remind citizens to closely monitor their wireless accounts. Many wireless carriers will contact account holder via text message or email when changes to accounts are made. Any unusual activity or unauthorized changes to cell phone accounts should be reported immediately to the wireless carrier's fraud department and the local police.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND FAILURE TO OBEY A LAWFUL ORDER: On July 16, Deputy Timothy Wesner responded to a residence on Castaway Circle in Lexington Park for a disturbance. Deputy Wesner made contact with Rashaunda Davenna Dyson, 26 of Lexington Park. Dyson and the victim were actively engaged in a verbal dispute. The victim was removing personal items from the residence as Dyson was yelling vulgar statements out of the window in the residence. Dyson's actions caused community members to exit their homes to locate the disturbance. Dyson then began to verbally attack those watching, almost inciting an altercation. Deputy Wesner ordered Dyson to cease her actions, but she refused. Dyson was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct and Failure to Obey a Lawful Order.
THEFT LESS $100 AND THEFT LESS $1,000: On July 16, Deputy David Lawrence responded to Subway in California for a theft. Deputy Lawrence made contact with an employee of Subway who advised that Brandon Jay Locke, 23 with no fixed address, entered the business on July 15 and ordered food. Once at the register, Locke took his sandwich and exited the business without paying. On July 16, Locke attempted to do the same thing. Deputy Lawrence interviewed Locke who indicated he was transient and showed Deputy Lawrence where he was living. It was then that Deputy Lawrence recovered several items in a shopping cart that had been stolen from Wal-mart. Those items were returned to Wal-mart and Locke was arrested and charged with Theft less $100 and Theft less $1000.
THEFT LESS $1,000: On July 17, Deputy Trevor Teague responded to Wal-mart in California for a theft. Deputy Teague made contact with Wal-mart Loss Prevention who advised Beth Suzanne Gannon, 26 of Mechanicsville, filled a shopping cart with numerous items from the store. Gannon then exited the store passing all points of sale, without paying for the items. Gannon was arrested and charged with Theft less $1,000.
POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE: On July 16, Deputy Anthony Cole responded to the Hilton Drive area in an attempt to locate a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot. Deputy Cole located the vehicle and made contact with the sole occupant, Wilfranc nmn Casseus, 26 of California. Upon contact, Deputy Cole immediately detected and observed indicators of suspected drug activity. A search of Casseus's vehicle revealed a small plastic baggie containing suspected marijuana. Casseus was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT - 3 COUNTS: On July 21, Deputies responded to a residence on Charles Cox Lane in Charlotte Hall for an assault. Upon arrival, deputies met with an adult victim and two juvenile victims. Edward Lloyd Smith, 62 of Charlotte Hall, was arguing with the adult victim. Smith became physical with the juvenile victims when they stood up for the other victim. Smith caused physical injury to all three victims as a result of the incident. Smith had fled the residence prior to Officers arrival, however was located a short time later. Smith was arrested and charged with three counts of Assault 2nd Degree. Corporal Shaun Carberry was the arresting Officer.
1ST AND 2ND DEGREE ASSAULT: On July 22, deputies responded to a residence on Iverson Drive in Great Mills for an assault in progress. Upon arrival, deputies located three victims, two covered in blood. Investigation revealed that one of the victims and Robert Lorenzo Brooks, 21, of Great Mills, were involved in an argument over pet care. Brooks became mad and at the victim and pushed her to the ground. When another member of the household attempted to deescalate the situation, Brooks became enraged. Brooks repeatedly assaulted the victims. The attacks stopped when one of the victims hit Brooks over the head with a heavy object. Deputy Trevor Teague observed numerous injuries to the victims and a head wound to Brooks. All parties injured were attended to by medical staff and released. Brooks was arrested and charged with two counts of 1st Degree Assault and three counts of 2nd Degree Assault. Deputy Teague was the arresting Officer.
POSSESSION OF A FIREARM WITH A FELONY CONVICTION: On July 22, deputies responded to Loveville Tavern in Leonardtown for the report of shots fired outside the establishment. Deputy Anthony Cole made contact with employees who advised that William Thomas Douglas, 52 of Lexington Park, was asked to leave the establishment earlier in the evening due to his behavior. At approximately 1:45 a.m., Douglas returned to the parking lot of the establishment. Douglas was observed by numerous witnesses brandishing a handgun and firing it into the air. Douglas fled the scene as the passenger in a motor vehicle. A short time later, Deputy David Potter located the suspect vehicle and Douglas inside as a passenger. A probable cause search was conducted and Deputy Potter located several live rounds and a handgun. Douglas has a prior felony conviction. Douglas was arrested and charged with Reckless Endangerment, Handgun in Vehicle, Handgun on Person, Possession of a handgun with a Felony Conviction, and Illegally Possess Firearm. Deputy Cole was the arresting Officer.
POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE AND PARAPHERNALIA: On July 22, Deputy David Potter was assisting in the investigation of an incident at a local establishment. Suspect information was developed along with a description of the suspect vehicle. Deputy Potter located the vehicle in the area of Three Notch Road and Chancellors Run Road in Great Mills. Deputy Potter made contact with the driver of the vehicle Laquan Ravelle Woodland, 23 of Lexington Park. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed a plastic baggie containing suspected marijuana. Woodland was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Paraphernalia.
THEFT LESS $1,000: On July 21, Deputy Christopher Shomper responded to Wal-mart for a theft. Upon arrival, Deputy Shomper met with Wal-mart Loss Prevention who advised that James Raub Hall, 42 of Great Mills, entered the business removed several items and exited the store, passing all points of sale without paying for those items. Hall was arrested and charged with Theft less $1,000.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE AND THEFT UNDER $10,000: On July 19, Deputy David Lawerence responded to a residence on Kinnegad Drive in Great Mills for a theft of a motor vehicle. The victim advised that Andrew Desmond Chick, 23 of Mechanicsville, was staying with her temporarily. When the victim woke around 7:00 a.m., she found a note indicating Chick had taken her vehicle and would be right back. However, victim found cash and her cell phone had been taken too. Several hours passed and when Chick did not return, the victim contacted the Sheriff's Office. The victim indicated to Deputy Lawerence that permission was never given to Chick to use her vehicle, take her money, or her cell phone. While Deputy Lawrence was on scene, Chick returned with the vehicle. Chick was arrested and charged with Theft under $10,000 and Theft of Motor vehicle.
2ND DEGREE ASSAULT, THEFT LESS $100, AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: On July 21, deputies responded to a residence on Foxglove Court in Lexington Park for an assault. Deputies met with the victim who advised that he and Sidney Hilton Thompson, 19 of Lexington Park, were arguing. The incident became physical when Thompson threw a cup of hot chocolate on the victim and then struck the victim in the face causing injury. Deputies observed damage inside the victim's residence as a result of the incident. Thompson was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Assault, Theft less $100, and Destruction of Property. Deputy Timothy Wesner was the arresting Officer.
Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: http://somd.me/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at http://somd.me/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at http://somd.me/expungeme .