LEONARDTOWN, Md. (May 16, 2008) - The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department today released the following incident and arrest reports.
BURGLARY 3RD DEGREE: On March 2, 2008 Thomas Francis Cooper Jr., age 28, formally of California, Md., was served a District Court eviction ordering him to vacate a residence on South Springsteen Court in California. On May 15, Cooper returned to and entered the residence by kicking in the back door. Cooper did not have permission to enter the residence. The break in was witnessed by a third party. The door and frame of the residence were damaged. The resident of the house exited the bedroom after hearing the noise. She is familiar with Cooper. A brief verbal encounter ensued and Cooper left the residence. The Sheriff's Office was called and Dfc. William Rishel responded and found Cooper still in the area. Cooper was advised of his Miranda rights and interviewed. The investigation revealed Cooper made false statements to Dfc. Rishel during the interview. Cooper was arrested and charged with 3rd degree burglary, trespassing, destruction of property and false statement to a police officer.
UNATTENDED CHILDREN: On May 15, 2008 SDFC. Elizabeth Trossbach responded to Red Oak Court, California, for a report of three young children left unattended in a residence. Neighbors had complained a small child, approximately 4 to 5 years-old, was wondering about the neighborhood unattended. Further investigation revealed a total of three small children, all under the ages of 8 years, were left in the residence unattended by adult supervision. Crystal Dawn Knott, age 27, of California, was responsible for the care and custody of the children. She was not at the residence. Knott was located and charged with three counts of leaving a child under the age of 8 years unattended.