LA PLATA, Md. (Oct 3, 2008) - The Charles County Sheriff's Department released the following incident and arrest reports.
SUSPECT CHARGED WITH BREAK-IN: On Sept. 25, Charles County Sheriff's officers obtained an arrest warrant charging Marvin Terrell Carter, 37, of Hyattsville, in connection with a break-in that occurred on Sept. 6 at Foods R In located in the 12500 block of Mattawoman Drive in Waldorf. Carter gained entry into the business and stole cash, lottery tickets and cigarettes. He was charged with breaking and entering and theft.
MAN CHARGED WITH RECKELSS DRIVING: On Sept. 30 at 3:31 p.m., a Charles County Sheriff's officer observed a vehicle leaving the parking lot of a metal recycling business on Route 488 in La Plata at a high rate of speed; the car had a significant amount of copper piping in the back seat. The driver narrowly missed a passing motorist and continued toward Route 5. The officer initiated a traffic stop but the driver refused to stop and drove south in the northbound lanes of Route 5. The driver lost control of the car and struck a parked car in front of Corner Liquors where his vehicle became disabled. The driver, David Allen Cooper, 30, of St. Leonard, fled on foot but was apprehended by assisting officers. He was charged with numerous traffic citations including negligent driving and reckless driving. It has not been determined if the copper piping was stolen. Officer R. Bagley handled the arrest.
OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING: The Charles County Sheriff's Office is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on Sept. 19 in the parking lot of the St. Charles Town Center in Waldorf. The circumstances of the incident are as follows:
At 9:15 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's Officer D. Benthin was conducting theft prevention surveillance in the parking lot of the mall when he observed a suspect attempting to steal a GPS device affixed to the inside window of an unmarked Sheriff's Office vehicle. Officer Benthin approached the suspect, identified himself as a police officer and attempted to arrest the suspect. The suspect began struggling with Officer Benthin. During the struggle, the suspect assaulted Officer Benthin and Officer Benthin's handgun discharged, striking the suspect in the upper body. The suspect was flown by a Maryland State Police helicopter to Prince George's Hospital Center, where he was treated and released a short time later. Upon his release, officers transported the suspect, Carlos Thomas Barksdale, 23, of Washington, D.C., to the Charles County Detention Center and charged him with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and theft. Officer Benthin was placed on administrative leave in accordance with agency policy.
Surveillance in and around the St. Charles Town Center, as well as other areas in the county, is part of an on going, pro-active, anti-theft initiative being conducted by the agency. Officers continuously work with mall management to discuss security and implement plans to make the mall a safe place to shop.