LA PLATA, Md. (May 23, 2008) - The Charles County Sheriff's Department today released the following incident and arrest reports.
BURGLARY: On May 19 at 10:01 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s Officer A. Sullivan observed a Chevrolet Blazer with a trailer parked on the side of the road in front of Heaven’s Garden located at 7450 Hawthorne Road in La Plata. Two men were loading plants onto the trailer. Officer Sullivan stopped and confronted the men, who advised they were picking up plants they had purchased earlier. When Officer Sullivan continued questioning the men, they ran. One of them entered the Blazer and fled eastbound on Hawthorne Road. The other man ran into a field but was quickly apprehended by Officer Sullivan after a brief foot pursuit. The man resisted arrest and assaulted the officer but was ultimately taken into custody and identified as James Wayne Yates, 45, of Marbury. A lookout for the Blazer was broadcast as other officers were responding to assist. Additionally, the owners of the business were contacted and advised no one was authorized to remove merchandise from the business.
At approximately 10:50 p.m., Sgt. J. Carlson observed a Blazer on Hawthorne Road approaching Rose Hill Road. The Blazer did not have a trailer attached to it but the tag matched the one in the description of the vehicle that fled Heaven’s Garden. Sgt. Carlson stopped the Blazer and Officer Sullivan responded and confirmed the driver was the second suspect. He was identified as William Russell Stewart, 53, of Marbury and during a search subsequent to his arrest, officers discovered he was in possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Officers also determined Stewart’s license to drive in Maryland was suspended and the Blazer had been stolen. Cpl. J. Hastings searched the area and found the trailer at a residence in the 7700 block of Hawthorne Road, where Stewart had detached and abandoned it and the stolen plants, causing damage to the yard. Stewart was charged with fourth-degree burglary, theft valued at more than $500, theft valued at less than $500, motor vehicle theft, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, destruction of property valued at less than $500, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license.
Yates was charged with fourth-degree burglary, theft valued at less than $500, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and fleeing and eluding police. Stewart and Yates were being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before a district court commissioner.
CARJACKING: On May 19 at 8:46 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to a residence in the 14100 block of Meadow Creek Lane in Waldorf for the report of a carjacking. The investigation revealed Kevin Clay Breads, 37, of Waldorf assaulted a family member as she sat in her car. He pushed the family member out and then fled in the vehicle. Officers found Breads on May 21 and arrested him. He was charged with carjacking, theft valued at more than $500, theft valued at less than $500, motor vehicle theft, second-degree assault and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before a district court commissioner. Officer C. Wimberly investigated.
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT: On May 19 at 11:32 a.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to a citizen’s report of a stolen vehicle being driven in the Bryans Road area. The citizen followed the vehicle until officers arrived and stopped it on Woodberry Drive near Heather Drive. Officers arrested the two occupants, 15-year-old White Plains boys, and charged them with motor vehicle theft. The driver was also charged with driving without a license. They were released to their parents. Officer M. O’Shields investigated.