LA PLATA, Md. - The Charles County Sheriff's Department today released the following incident and arrest reports.
DWI: On April 10 at 8:09 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s Cpl. D. Belfield observed a pick-up truck stop abruptly in the roadway, nearly causing a collision on Leonardtown Road near Roosevelt Place in Bryantown. The vehicle pulled to the side of the road and its mirror struck a fence as Cpl. Belfield went over to investigate. He determined the driver, Merle Denise Thomas, 44, of Bryantown was intoxicated and a computer check revealed her license was suspended and she was wanted in Anne Arundel County for a probation violation. She was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence, negligent driving, and driving with a suspended license. She was released to law enforcement authorities who transported her to the Anne Arundel County Detention Center to serve the warrant. Prior to the incident, citizens had reported the woman as a possibly intoxicated driver in the Waldorf area.
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA: On April 8 at 12:04 a.m., Charles County Sheriff’s Officer J. Timko was patrolling the parking lot of Legends located at 1290 Smallwood Drive in Waldorf when he observed a suspicious vehicle occupied by three individuals. When Officer Timko approached the vehicle and asked for identification, he observed an open alcohol container in the front seat. Upon further investigation, he saw one of the passengers, Cornell Juan Chichester, 25, of Brandywine, had a small bag of Ecstasy pills in his possession. Officer J. Long responded to the scene to assist and all three occupants then exited the vehicle and were arrested for drinking in the parking lot. A search of the vehicle revealed a partially burnt marijuana cigarette in the ashtray and a handgun, which was registered to the driver of the vehicle, Timothy Lyle Williams, 28, of Temple Hills. Chichester, Williams and Devin Sheppard Jackson, 26, of Camp Springs were charged with possession of marijuana and drinking alcohol in a retail area. Williams was also charged with a having a handgun in his vehicle and Chichester was also charged with possession of Ecstasy. They were being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before a district court commissioner.
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA: On April 7 at 12:48 a.m., Officer J. Timko observed a vehicle with expired tags occupied by five individuals in the parking lot of Dash In located at 2007 Smallwood Drive in Waldorf. When Officer Timko approached the vehicle, one of the passengers, Kedar Hasmell Reid, 27, of Waldorf, immediately exited. Officer Timko ordered the passenger numerous times to get back in the vehicle before the passenger complied. As Officer Timko obtained the identification of the occupants, Officer T. Yates, who had arrived to assist, observed suspected marijuana flakes on Reid’s lap and asked him to exit the vehicle. He found marijuana in Reids’ pocket. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed approximately $190 worth of marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia. Investigation revealed the drugs belonged to Reid and none of the other occupants were in possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia. Reid was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before a district court commissioner. The other occupants were released.
ASSAULT: On April 12 at 12:49 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to a residence in the 2700 block of Homecoming Lane in Waldorf for the report of property destruction in progress. While en route, officers learned the suspect was fleeing in a silver Nissan Sentra. Officer E. Horton observed the vehicle on Mill Hill Road and tried to stop it but it fled to Route 228 toward Prince George’s County. Other officers responded to the scene and investigation revealed the accused, Donna Theresa Gillum, 37, of Washington D.C., had destroyed property during a domestic argument and attempted to assault a 37-year-old Waldorf man. Meanwhile Officer Horton pursued the vehicle and observed Gillum commit several traffic violations. Upon the discovery that the victims could identify the accused, Officer Horton ended the pursuit. She then observed the suspect run a red light on Indian Head Highway near Livingston Road and collide with another vehicle in the intersection. Officer Horton responded to the scene of the crash and attempted to place Gillum under arrest but Gillum resisted and assaulted Officer Horton. With the help of an off-duty Maryland State Police trooper, Gillum was arrested without further incident and charged with assaulting on a law enforcement officer, second-degree assault, destruction of property valued at less than $500, obstructing and hindering, reckless driving, eluding officers, turning without using a signal, unsafe lane change, failure to stop at a stop sign, failure to stop at a red signal, failure to obey traffic control devices and speeding. She was being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before a district court commissioner. Prince George’s County handled the crash investigation but no one, including Gillum’s 2-year-old daughter whom the Sheriff’s Office learned after the crash was in the car with her, was injured.
ASSAULT: On April 9 at 8 p.m., a 21-year-old Waldorf man was walking along Western Parkway near Hollins Lane in Waldorf when an older model gray Cadillac passenger car approached him. The occupants exited the vehicle, assaulted the victim and fled the scene. The vehicle had tinted windows and chrome rims. There were no descriptions available of the suspects. The victim was transported to Civista Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Charles County Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-7777 or Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.