LA PLATA, Md. (March 10, 2009) - The Charles County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.
FLEEING AND ELUDING LEADS TO DRUG ARREST: On March 10 at 4:20 a.m., a Charles County Sheriff's officer initiated a traffic stop on Route 224 near Smallwood Church Road in Indian Head after observing a speeding violation. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop and fled to Linkins Road where he eventually pulled over. The driver, Johnnie Sylvester Lee, 48, of Indian Head, was arrested and charged with fleeing and eluding, driving on a suspended driver's license, possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officer E. Weaver made the arrest.
FLEEING AND ELUDING ARREST: On March 8 at 1:17 p.m., a Charles County Sheriff's officer initiated a traffic stop in the 5000 block of Chicamuxen Road in Indian Head after observing a traffic violation. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop and fled to Ada Place where he and a passenger jumped out of the car. The driver, Yashim Kalif Vaughn, 19, of Marbury, was apprehended and charged with driving a vehicle with improper tags, driving without a license and fleeing and eluding. The passenger was not charged. Officer J. Freeman made the arrest.
ATTEMPT BURGLARY: On March 7 at 10:20 a.m., officers responded to the 8400 block of Bowie Road in Nanjemoy for the report of suspicious activity. Upon arrival, officers were informed that two men were seen trying to break into the home. A check revealed the side door of the house had been forced open. The homeowner responded, checked the interior and confirmed nothing had been stolen. One suspect is described as a white male in his twenties with a cast on his arm. The other suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 20's, wearing a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information should contact Officer K. Burger at (301) 743-2222 or Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. A cash reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest and indictment of the suspects.
THEFT FROM AUTO: On March 6 between 7:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., unknown suspects broke out the passenger window of a car in the 5300 block of Sea Raven Court in Waldorf and stole a radio. The suspects fled in a dark colored Cadillac that was parked nearby. Officer J. Foster is investigating.
DRUGS AND COUNTERFEIT MONEY RECOVERD: On March 5 at 8:25 p.m., a Charles County Sheriff's officer initiated a traffic stop in the 7100 block of Indian Head Highway in Indian Head after observing a traffic violation. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer smelled marijuana. Drugs and $300 in counterfeit bills were located inside the car. Officers charged James Francis Underwood, 18, of Nanjemoy, with possession of drugs, possession of forged currency and possession of manufacturing equipment. The driver of the car, a 16 year-old female from Port Tobacco, was charged with driving without a license and speeding. Officer M. Beall made the arrest. The United States Secret Service is continuing the investigation into the counterfeit money.
CRIME SOLVERS TIP LEADS TO ARREST OF FUGITIVE: On March 6 at 2:30 p.m., the Charles County Sheriff's Office Warrant/Fugitive Unit received a Crime Solvers tip regarding the whereabouts of Lafayette Norman Dotson, 31, of Riverdale who had three outstanding warrants charging him with theft, burglary and traffic charges. Officers located Dotson near King George, VA and placed him under arrest. He was charged with being a fugitive from justice and will be extradited to Charles County.
BURGLARY: On March 6 between 8:50 a.m. -12:40 p.m., an unknown suspect gained entry into a house in the 3300 block of Ryon Court in Waldorf by breaking the rear window next to the sliding glass door. Once inside, the suspect stole cash and a Play Station 3. Officer P. DeBoe is investigating.
JUVENILE ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH BURGLARY: On March 5 between 8 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., an unknown suspect broke into a house in the 100 block of Jennifer Drive in Indian Head. Once inside, the suspect stole a laptop and cash. Officer R. Padgett responded to the scene and initiated an investigation. Officer Padgett developed suspect information and charged the victim's neighbor, a 16-year-old male, with burglary.
BURGLARY: On March 5 between 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., unknown suspects broke out the rear window of a house in the 3700 block of Hastings Court in Waldorf and obtained entry. Once inside, the suspects stole cash and a laptop computer. A canvass was conducted and no other homes appeared to have been burglarized. Officer M. Beall is investigating.
BURGLARY: On March 5 at 2:58 p.m., officers responded to a home in the 12600 block of Country Lane in Waldorf for the report of a burglary. Investigation revealed unknown suspects gained entry into the house by breaking the rear sliding glass door. Once inside, the suspects stole a television, game system and video games. Officer R. Forbes is investigating.
SAFETY TIP: Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts. These will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off the track.