On February 5th, 2005 St. Mary's County law enforcement personnel responded to Cook's Liquor Store located in Park Hall, St. Mary's County, Maryland for a reported armed robbery. Two masked gunmen had entered the store carrying a handgun. They attempted to rob money from the store but were unsuccessful and fled the area.
Detectives from the St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) further investigated the case and suspects were developed over a period of time. Detectives ultimately identified three suspects in the case. The first suspect was identified as the lookout and driver of the get-away vehicle. The remaining two suspects are believed to have entered the store in the attempt to rob the two employees. Two of the suspects, identified as Joseph Edward Young Jr. and Dajuan Antwan Stafford, were apprehended by detectives on June 5th, 2005. Numerous Search and Seizure Warrants were executed by detectives where evidence, including a handgun, was recovered.
The 3rd suspect was identified as Tyrone Robert Thompson. He is currently incarcerated at the detention center on charges for the Hal's Deli Armed Robbery on December 21st, 2004. All three were charged at the detention center for the following charges: two counts of Attempted Armed Robbery, two counts of 1st Degree Assault, and two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery.
All suspects are incarcerated pending their appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
The St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations is an investigative team comprised of Detectives from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police, Leonardtown Barrack. The unit was established on July 1, 2003 and is based in Leonardtown, Maryland.