LEONARDTOWN, Md. (March 17, 2008) - The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department today released the following incident and arrest reports.
INTOXICATED DRIVER: On March 16 at 3:15 a.m., Charles County Sheriff’s Officer D. Almassy observed a Ford Taurus swerving in and out of its lane and traveling 65 mph in a 50 mph area of Route 210 near Chapman’s Landing Road in Indian Head. Officer Almassy stopped the vehicle and determined the driver, Rusty David Peterson, 22, of Indian Head, was intoxicated. The officer also discovered Peterson’s North Carolina driver’s license was suspended. Peterson was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while intoxicated, speeding and driving on a suspended out-of-state license. He was released pending a court appearance.
BURGLARY: On March 16 at 3:20 a.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to Bullock’s Piano Salon located at 4429 Crain Highway in White Plains for the report of a burglary. Investigation revealed suspect(s) forced entry into the store by shattering a glass front door. Once inside, the suspect(s) stole two music keyboards and money from a cash register. Other items may have stolen as well. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-2222 or Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. Cpl. K. Wilson is investigating.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT: On March 16 at 2:36 a.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to Club Icon located at 2160 Crain Highway in Waldorf for the report of a disorderly crowd and several fights occurring in the parking lot. As the crowd was being dispersed, Rudy Lamar Pearson, 29, of District Heights, who had been involved in one of the fights, was ordered by officers to leave. Pearson refused to comply and officers arrested him for disorderly conduct. After being placed into the backseat of a police cruiser, Pearson kicked out a window, causing damage to the cruiser’s door and the window frame. When he refused to comply with the officers’ orders to stop kicking, an officer deployed a Taser. Pearson then complied with the orders. He was charged additionally with destruction of property valued at more than $500, moved to another cruiser and transported to the Charles County Detention Center. He was held at the detention center pending an appearance before a district court commissioner. Cpl. C. McCue investigated.
STOLEN VEHICLE RECOVERED: On March 15 at 2:50 a.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to Heritage Place in Waldorf for the report of a Chrysler Concord which had just been stolen from a residential parking lot. A citizen observed the vehicle as it left and followed it as it turned onto St. Ignatius Drive and then onto Husk Place, where the driver of the Concord lost control of the vehicle. The Concord struck a police cruiser which was parked and unoccupied and shortly thereafter, the driver fled the Concord on foot, causing the vehicle to strike another parked and unoccupied vehicle. Officer J. Freeman and his K9 partner searched the area and found a 16-year-old Forestville boy on Heritage Place. The boy advised the officer he was searching for his cousin’s cell phone. Meanwhile, a 16-year-old Hughesville boy approached officers on Husk Place and advised he and his cousin had been robbed about 20 minutes earlier. He said his cell phone had been stolen during the robbery and he did not know where his cousin was. Officers processing the Concord for evidence discovered a cell phone, which they determined belonged to the Hughesville boy. The investigation revealed the Hughesville boy had stolen the vehicle after conspiring with the Forestville boy to commit the theft. They were both charged as juveniles with motor vehicle theft, conspiracy to commit motor vehicle theft and two counts of hit-and-run and were released to their parents. Sgt. S. Myers and Officer L. Elliot investigated.
ASSAULT: On March 14 at 10 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to Waldorf Liquors located at 2276 Crain Highway in Waldorf for the report of a disorderly person. Investigation revealed Clayton Francis Knott, Jr., 24, of Waldorf assaulted a 29-year-old Waldorf man, damaged property valued at less than $500 and fled the scene on foot. Officer T. Yates saw Knott on Old Washington Road but Knott ran. Officer Yates pursued Knott on foot and apprehended and arrested him. Knott was charged with second-degree assault, destruction of property valued at less than $500 and disorderly conduct. Knott was being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before a district court commissioner.
ARMED ROBBERY: On March 13 at 9:13 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to the report of a robbery. Investigation revealed a 46-year-old Clinton man delivered a pizza to a residence in the 2700 block of Albermarle Place in Waldorf. When he returned to his vehicle, he was approached by male suspect who brandished a handgun and demanded money. The victim complied and the suspect fled toward Cassidy Place. Officers searched the area but did not locate the suspect. The suspect is described as a black man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored pants and gray work gloves. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-7777. Cpl. C. Campbell is investigating.
ARMED ROBBERY: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a robbery which occurred sometime between 7:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. on March 12. A 46-year-old Waldorf man was walking on a bike path in the 100 block of St. Patrick’s Drive in Waldorf when he saw six suspects standing around his friend, who was lying on the ground. One of the suspects had a handgun and confronted the victim. Another armed suspect struck the victim with a handgun, causing the victim to fall to the ground. The suspects then stole the victim’s wallet and fled. The suspects are described as young black males in their 20s wearing dark clothing. Their faces were covered by black masks. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 391-932-7777. Cpl. C. Campbell is investigating.