LEONARDTOWN, Md. (April 8, 2009) - The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office this week released the following incident and arrest reports.
SHOPLIFTING: On April 7 at approximately noon, a loss prevention employee of the Belk Department Store in the Wildewood Center observed two females, ages 15 and 14, take a total of three scarves into a dressing room in the store, and then exit the dressing room without the scarves. Both suspects were stopped and confronted by the loss prevention employee, and were found to be in possession of all three scarves concealed upon their persons. DFC Shawn Cathcart responded and arrested both juveniles for theft under $100, and the scarves, valued at $45.00 total, were returned to the business. The juvenile suspects were both released to a parent.
ASSAULT, TELEPHONE MISUSE, UNAUTHORIZED USE OF VEHICLE, DUI: On April 7 at approximately 4:00 p.m., Deputy Robert Nielsen responded to the Wawa store located on Three Notch road in California for a reported disturbance. Upon arrival he spoke with the victim Mary Cole, 53, of Mechanicsville. Deputy Nielsen's investigation revealed Cole had arrived at the Wawa a few minutes earlier operating her personally owned motor vehicle, with her 4 year-old grandchild in the car as well as an associate, Tommy Richardson, 36, of Hughesville. Cole parked her vehicle to go into the store, and Richardson told her to get some money for him while she was inside. When Cole told Richardson "no," he responded by punching her in her face with a closed fist, causing her nose to bleed. Victim Cole then removed her granddaughter from the car after a brief struggle, and fled inside the store to call the police. As she entered the store, the suspect fled in the victim's vehicle without her permission. As deputies were interviewing Cole after arrival, Richardson called her cellular telephone numerous times and threatened her well being. While still at the Wawa, Deputy Nielsen observed the victim's vehicle at a stop light on Three Notch Road. Deputy Nielsen stopped the vehicle and identified Richardson as the driver. Richardson was subsequently arrested and charged with Assault, Telephone Misuse, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. He was also found to be operating the victim's vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, and was charged accordingly. The victim did not need medical treatment, and her vehicle was returned to her. Richardson was incarcerated at the county detention center to await bond review.
DOMESTIC ASSAULT: On April 7 at approximately 9:35 p.m., DFC Dodson responded to an address in the Compton area for a reported fight, during which the primary suspect was using a pole to assault others in the residence. DFC Dodson and other deputies on the scene determined at least four adults and two juveniles were present at the residence for several hours, and at least some of the adults were consuming alcoholic beverages. Sometime during the gathering, Michael Gardiner, 21, of Leonardtown and Scott Franklin Greenwell, 39, of Leonardtown had a dispute which resulted in each of them physically assaulting the other with their hands/fists. When other parties at the residence (family members and juveniles) attempted to intervene, Greenwell allegedly assaulted a 38 year-old female and a 15 year-old female by striking and/or kicking them with his hands and feet. During the altercation, Greenwell was cut on his head. When deputies arrived, Greenwell had fled to another residence where he was contacted. Greenwell was transported to St. Mary's Hospital by the Sheriff's Office for treatment. The 38 year-old female was transported by ambulance to St. Mary's Hospital where she was treated and released for non life-threatening injuries she sustained during the assault. Gardiner and the 15 year-old female required no medical treatment. At the time of this incident, Greenwell was wanted on two outstanding arrest warrants, one for failing to appear in court on a previous assault charge, and the other for violation of probation. Greenwell was incarcerated on the two open warrants and also charged with three counts of assault for each of the three victims he assaulted during this incident. There was no evidence that a pole or any other type of weapon was used during this incident.
TRESPASSING, DISORDERLY CONDUCT: On April 6 deputies responded to the A & E Motel in Lexington Park. Upon arrival they made contact with Tamara Elizabeth Higgs, 40, of Lexington Park. Higgs was intoxicated and belligerent. She began yelling and cursing, which attracted the attention of others staying at the motel. Higgs was told by management that if she did not stop yelling and cursing she would have to leave the property. Higgs refused to stop her disorderly behavior and refused to leave the property. Higgs was arrested and charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct.
SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: On April 6 deputies responded to Great Mills Court in Lexington Park for a report of a domestic assault in progress. Investigation revealed Ansely Dorain Watkins, 21, of Lexington Park, was involved in a verbal dispute which escalated into a physical assault when Watkins pushed the victim and slammed her head against the ground causing a laceration to the victim's elbow. During the altercation the victim's cell phone was damaged. Watkins was arrested and charged with second degree assault and destruction of property.
SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: On April 6 deputies responded to Brickhouse Farm Lane in Hollywood for a report of a domestic assault in progress. Investigation revealed Jason Lee Carter, 32, of Hollywood, was involved in a verbal dispute which escalated into a physical assault when Carter grabbed and victim by the arms and pushed her. Carter was arrested and charged with second degree assault.
SEX OFFENDER CHECK: On April 4, St. Mary's Bureau of Criminal Investigations detectives and Sheriff's Office Patrol deputies conducted a sex offender compliance check. Over 80 registered sex offenders were checked to ensure they were in compliance with the sex offender registry laws. As a result of this initiative two offenders were found to be non-compliant and arrest warrants were obtained for Phillip Chaney Farrell, 23 years of age, and Roger Linsay Young Jr., 46 years of age, for failing to notify the Sheriff's Office of an address change as required.