LA PLATA, Md. (Sept. 16, 2008) - The Charles County Sheriff's Department today released the following incident and arrest reports.
CITIZEN ROBBERY: On Sept. 15 at 12:15 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to the 2600 block of Husk Place in Waldorf for the report of a citizen robbery. Investigation revealed the victim - a 23 year old Waldorf man - was walking on a bike path when he was approached by four suspects who demanded his money. After the victim gave them his money, the suspects pushed him, kicked him and fled. The suspects are described as black males wearing dark pants and white shirts; three of the suspects had long braided hair and one had short tight hair. Officer S. Bryant responded. Anyone with information should call the Major Crimes Unit at 301-609-6496.
SHOOTING: On Sept. 14, at 11:52 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to the Waldorf EMS Station #3 for the report of a shooting. Investigation revealed the victim, a 27-year-old Waldorf man, was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped at a red light near the intersection of Smallwood Drive and Copley Avenue when the driver of another vehicle pulled up and an occupant fired shots, striking the victim in his chest. The victim's friend drove him to the nearby fire station for assistance; he was subsequently flown to an area hospital and admitted for life-threatening injuries. Investigators are looking into the possibility that the victim was intentionally targeted. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective J. Elliott at 301-609-6515. The investigation is continuing.
CITIZEN ROBBERY: On Sept. 14 at 8:13 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to the 11900 block of Holmstead Place in Waldorf for the report of a citizen robbery. Investigation revealed the victim - a 46-year-old man - was walking by a playground when the suspects approached and demanded his money. After the robbery, the suspects assaulted the victim and fled. The suspects are described as black males in their late teens to early 20s, between 5'10" - 6'0" and weighing about 180 pounds. Officer J. Thompson responded. Anyone with information should call the Major Crimes Unit at 301-609-6496.
ASSAULT, RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLE & HANDGUN: On Sept. 14 at 1:03 a.m., a Charles County Sheriff's officer observed a vehicle parked near the front of Fred's Sports store in the 2800 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf - the sight of several recent attempted break-ins. The officer initiated a traffic stop but the suspects fled onto Crain Highway. The suspects continued north, swerving twice into the path of two patrol cars forcing the officers to take evasive action. Officers deployed "stop sticks" to deflate the car's tires but the driver refused to stop. The Precision Maneuver Technique (PIT) was utilized and the vehicle went off the roadway, landing on its side. A check revealed the car was stolen from Prince George's County in July and the tags were reported stolen from Prince George's County in September.
Officers recovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun - which had been reported stolen from another state - inside the car. The driver, a 17-year-old from Oxon Hill, was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, two counts of assault, and possession of a stolen handgun. The passenger - who refused to provide his identity - was transported to a nearby hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries sustained in the incident; he faces similar charges. Sergeant K. Moody is continuing the investigation.
DOMESTIC RELATED ASSAULT: On Sept. 13 at 9:04 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to the 2500 block of Creston Place in Waldorf for the report of a domestic related assault. Investigation revealed a 40-year-old Waldorf man and his former girlfriend were engaged in a physical altercation inside their house when the woman's sister, 31, grabbed a knife and tried to intervene by stabbing the man in his abdomen. The man left the house, drove to a nearby business and called police. He was transported to a hospital where he was treated for his injuries. The two women were not injured. The Major Crimes Unit is continuing the investigation.
SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE: On Sept. 13 at 10:26 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers and La Plata Town Police responded to the parking lot of Blockbuster on Shining Willow Way in La Plata for the report of a suspicious item. Officers responded and located a briefcase which was left between two vehicles. None of the employees and customers of nearby businesses knew who owned the briefcase. As a precaution, the area was cleared until the contents of the briefcase could be determined. The Fire Marshall's office later found that the case did not contain explosives; they will conduct the follow up investigation.
ARREST/STOLEN MOTORCYCLE: On Sept. 12, members of the Charles County Sheriff's Office, Washington Area Enforcement Team (W.A.V.E.), with assistance from the TAC Team, conducted an operation in the Waldorf area relating to stolen cars and registration plates. During the operation, a detective observed a motorcycle being driven without registration plates. A traffic stop was initiated and a check revealed the motorcycle was stolen from Prince George's County in June. The driver, Corey Benton, 30, of Capitol Heights, was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen vehicle. Detective D. Gross made the arrest.
Officers also recovered another car that had stolen registration plates. An investigation revealed that suspects are removing registration plates from vehicles and replacing them with stolen tags so that car owners do not immediately realize their tags have been switched. The Charles County Sheriff's Office would like to remind people to regularly check to make sure the tags on their cars are the registration plates assigned to their vehicle.