On Aug. 28 at 11:03 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to Gallery Place Apartments in the 3000 block of Gallery Place in Waldorf for the report of an armed robbery. Investigation revealed a 27-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl, both of Waldorf, were standing in the 2000 block of Amberleaf Place in front an apartment building when four male suspects approached them and robbed them of property by gunpoint. The suspects then fled the scene in a vehicle driven by a female.
At 12:30 a.m., the suspect vehicle entered the parking lot of IHOP at 2190 Crain Highway in Waldorf. Officers detained the occupants of the vehicle and identified them as William Lewis Lawrence, 18, of Welcome and Anthony Kenneth Dodson, 16, and Woodrow Thomas, Jr., 17, both of Waldorf. Officers determined the occupants of the vehicle were three of the suspects who committed the armed robbery and placed them under arrest.
Officers learned the remaining suspects, William Olijawon Cutler, 18, and the driver of the vehicle, a 17-year-old girl, both of Waldorf, were expected to arrive at a residence in the 4500 block of Ruston Place in Waldorf. Officers responded to the residence and when the suspects arrived, officers detained them. After further investigation, they arrested Cutler. No charges have been filed against the girl.
The juveniles were charged as adults. Each of the accused was charged with two counts each of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, first degree assault, conspiracy to commit first degree assault, theft less than $100, second degree assault, destruction of property less than $500 and false imprisonment. They are being held at the Charles County Detention Center. Lawrence and Dodson are each being held on a $250,000 bond and Thomas and Cutler are each being held on a $500,000 bond.
The robbery appears to have been the result of a drug transaction. Officer J. McKenzie investigated this incident. Detectives believe the suspects may be involved in other robberies that have occurred in Charles County and are continuing the investigation.