LA PLATA, Md. (Dec. 17, 2009)—Charles County Sheriff Rex W. Coffey said officers recently solved four unrelated burglaries in which good, solid police work was credited with identifying, locating and arresting eight suspects. Citing the arrests, Sheriff Coffey said the work performed in each case is commendable and demonstrates the commitment officers have in solving crimes and the importance of increasing a police presence throughout the community. "These arrests came about as a result of citizens reporting suspicious activity, an immediate police response and officers putting their skills to work," said Sheriff Coffey. The following are synopsis of the four cases:
On December 16, Charles County Sheriff's Detective C. Wimbley arrested Jerrell Tibbs, 23, of Waldorf, in connection with a burglary that occurred on November 29 at Hong Kong Buffet at 3331 Plaza Way in Waldorf. Another suspect, Omar Jamal Brooks, 23, of Waldorf, was arrested on December 12. During the burglary, the suspects broke a rear door, entered the business and stole a laptop, designer purse, cash and alcohol. Detective Wimberley tracked down information about the stolen goods and subsequently linked Tibbs and Brooks to the break-in. Both suspects were charged with second-degree burglary.
On December 11 at 11:40 p.m., a citizen called police after observing three suspects break out the glass door to the Berry Country Market at 7485 Bensville Road in Waldorf. When officers arrived, they discovered the front door had been shattered and the suspects had fled. An immediate search was coordinated and K-9 officers were deployed. Within several minutes, Detective C. Shankster observed all three suspects hiding in tall grass on the front lawn of a nearby house. Officers approached the suspects and discovered cigarettes, beer and butane lighters which had been stolen during the break-in. Upon further investigation, officers connected the suspects to vandalism at Bensville Park in which they broke three windows and two fog lights at the concession stand. Christopher Ross Aylor, 18, and two 15-year-old males, all of White Plains, were arrested and charged with second-degree burglary, destruction of property and theft.
On December 10 at 1:15 p.m., officers responded to the 2300 block of Tacoma Place in Waldorf for the report of two masked men attempting to break into a home. A witness provided officers with a description of the suspects and their vehicle. Responding officers observed the suspect car leaving the area and initiated a traffic stop. The suspects fled and officers pursued the car to Garner Road where the driver lost control and struck another vehicle. Burglary tools were recovered from the car and officers learned one of the suspects had an open warrant. The suspects, a 21-year-old male and a 22-year-old male, both from Suitland, were apprehended and face multiple charges. The investigation in this case is ongoing.
On December 7, Charles County Sheriff's Detective J. Elliott arrested Robert Hector Becker, 21, of La Plata, in connection with a burglary that occurred on November 6 in La Plata in which a crossbow, long guns and other items were stolen. During the initial investigation, Officer R. Bagley processed the scene and obtained latent fingerprints which were then processed by examiners assigned to the Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Unit. The analysis ultimately linked the prints to Becker and connected him to the break-in. Becker was charged with burglary and remanded to the Charles County Detention Center.
Source: Charles County Sheriff's Office