LA PLATA, Md. (March 5, 2008) - The La Plata Barrack of the Maryland State Police (MSP) today released the following incident and arrest reports.
ILLEGAL DRUGS: On February 23, at approximately 1730 hours, Trooper A. Ford was on routine patrol in the area of Route 301 south of the Prince George’s County line when he observed the driver of a black Oldsmobile not restrained by a seat belt. Trooper A. Ford initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver, Carolyn B. Wilkerson, 47 years of Upper Marlboro. While conversing with Wilkerson, Trooper Ford detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the interior of the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed several roaches. A search conducted by Sergeant Powell of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office revealed a small bag of suspected marijuana on Wilkerson. Wilkerson was placed under arrest for possession of marijuana. Wilkerson was transported to the Charles County Detention Center for processing.
ILLEGAL DRUGS: On February 29, at approximately 2359 hours, Trooper R. Wilt was on routine patrol on eastbound Maryland Route 228 in the area of Middletown Road, when he activated his radar unit and detected a separation speed of 59 mph in a post 50 mph zone. Upon further observation, the Oldsmoble approached the intersection and went through a red light, which forced another vehicle to slam on its breaks to avoid a collision. Trooper Wilt activated his emergency equipment and initiated a traffic stop. Upon contact with the driver, a 16 year old juvenile, he detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle. A probable cause search of their person revealed two burnt marijuana cigarettes and a cigar tube containing a green leafy vegetable substance, marijuana. The driver and the passenger, both juveniles were taken to the Maryland State Police Barrack where they were processed and released to their parents.
THEFT: On March 1, at approximately 1030 hours, Trooper A. Ford was dispatched to a theft at Best Buy. Contact was made with the Manager John Davis, who advised Trooper Ford of the situation and referred him to the Loss Prevention employee, Benjamine Boston. Boston advised that William Clarence Harley 3rd, 21 years of Temple Hills, MD, entered the store empty handed and proceeded to the Play Station 3 consoles were located and pick one up. Harley proceeded to customer service and conversed with an employee in customer service that he had paid for the Play Station 3 yesterday and left it at the store to come pick up today. Harley had no receipt and was observed by Boston entering the store empty handed. Harley then proceeded towards the door, and when he passed all points of sales Boston then stopped the suspect when he was attempting to exit the establishment at the main exit entrance. Harley was placed under arrest and charged with did steal on Play Station of Best Buy having a value of less than $500.
DUI, VEHICLE THEFT: On March 2, at approximately 0109 hours, Trooper B. Sorenson was dispatched to a single vehicle collision on Route 257, south of Hatter Road, Newburg. Upon Trooper Sorenson’s arrival, he made contact with Sergeant L. Schmitt, of the Charles County Sheriffs Office, who was off duty, when he observed the vehicle, which was on fire off the roadway. Upon contact with the driver, Aaron M. Griffin, 29, of Newburg, Trooper Sorenson detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from this breath. A MVA check revealed that Griffin wa not licensed to drive a motor vehicle, and the vehicle was reported stolen by Willis Keith Casto prior to the collision. Field Sobriety tests were performed and Griffin and he was placed under arrest for DUI, and was also charged for did unlawfully, knowingly, and willfully take out of Casto’s lawful custody of a motor vehicle, and without permission of the owner did enter the property of Casto and take a motor vehicle.
ILLEGAL DRUGS: On March 3, at approximately 0001 hours, Trooper M. Armstrong was on routine patrol on southbound U.S. Route 301, north of Shining Willow Way when he observed a grey Jeep in front of him drifting in and out of the lane from the travel portion of the roadway and onto the slow shoulder. Trooper Armstrong activated his emergency equipment to initiated a traffic stop on the driver. Upon contact with the driver, Gale A. Walls, 40, of Capitol Heights, Trooper Armstrong detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from the driver’s breath. A check through MVA revealed Walls did not have a driver’s license. Prior to conducting a field sobriety test, a pat down of the driver was conduct for officer safety. It revealed a glass pipe use for smoking, which contained charred residue and remnants of crack cocaine. A search incident to arrest revealed a plastic vial which contained crack cocaine, a hand rolled cigarette, small plastic baggie containing a green leafy vegetable matter, and a small plastic baggie containing a fine white powder, cocaine. The driver was placed under arrest and charged with the following, did possess a controlled dangerous substance schedule I, marijuana, did possess a controlled dangerous substance of schedule II, crack cocaine, did possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, did possess a controlled dangerous substance, schedule II, cocaine, did possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia.