LA PLATA, Md. (April 21, 2009) - The Charles County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.
SUSPECT CAUGHT STEALING FROM CARS: On April 21 at 2:16 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to the 4600 block of Stanford Lane in Waldorf for the report of two suspects breaking into cars. Officers arrived on the scene, canvassed the area and found a bag containing a stolen GPS. Officers also located a vehicle in the parking lot with keys in the ignition. Officers set up surveillance and observed two suspects matching the description of the theft suspects enter the car. The driver was immediately apprehended but the passenger fled. Contact was made with the owner of the vehicle who advised her vehicle had just been stolen in Prince George's County. The suspect, Donovan Antonio Bell, 19, of Washington, D.C., was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, theft over $500, theft under $500, and false statement for providing a fictitious name to officers after he was arrested. The second suspect has not been identified. Officer J. Foster made the arrest.
BURGLARY: On April 20 at 8:01 a.m., officers responded to the 6100 block of Sea Lion Place in Waldorf for a breaking and entering. Investigation revealed the victim came home at approximately 7:55 a.m., and found the back door of her residence unlocked and the house ransacked. She also observed the suspect standing in her room. He ran past the victim and tried to take a bag with two laptop computers, but the victim was able to grab the bag. The suspect fled the scene into the woods behind the house. Several pieces of jewelry were stolen. Officers canvassed the area and processed the scene for evidence. Officer C. Barrows is investigating.
BURGLARY ARREST: On April 18 at 4:35 p.m., officers responded to the 3000 block of Huntington Circle in Waldorf for the report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, officers observed the rear basement door had been forced open. Two suspects tried to exit the rear of the residence but were apprehended by the officers. The suspects, Bruce Lamont Yates, 18, of no fixed address, and a 15-year-old female friend, were arrested and charged with burglary and destruction of property. Officer M. Wagner made the arrest.
R.R.E./VANDALISM: On April 18 at 6:45 p.m., officers responded to a playground on Agricopia Drive in La Plata for the report of a vandalism. Investigation revealed an unknown suspect spray-painted graffiti and a swastika on the playground equipment. A neighborhood canvass was conducted and no other vandalisms were observed. Sergeant S. Walsh is investigating.
BURGLARY: On April 17 at 11:45 a.m., officers responded to the 7600 block of Chapel Point Road in Port Tobacco for the report of a burglary. Investigation revealed the victim came home and found the back door to her house had been kicked in. She observed the suspect - an acquaintance -inside trying to steal a video game system and video games. The suspect, James Edward Randles III, 25, of Bel Alton, was arrested and charged with burglary and destruction of property. Corporal T. Lee investigated.
SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPT BREAK-IN: On April 17 at 12:03 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to the 700 block of Charles Street in La Plata for the report of two suspects peeping in through the windows of a house. When officers arrived, they observed the suspects trying to remove a screen on a window near the front door. The suspects attempted to flee when they saw the officers but were quickly apprehended. Justin Thomas Smoot, 20, of La Plata and a 16-year-old male were charged with attempt burglary and trespassing. Officers J. Marti, S. Ashton and La Plata Town Officer Bagley made the arrests.
LITTERING LEADS TO ARREST OF BURGLARY FUGITIVE: On April 9 at 6:30 p.m., a Charles County Sheriff's officer observed a man throw trash on the ground in the 2000 block of St. Thomas Drive in Waldorf. As the officer approached, the man fled. He was apprehended a short distance away where a computer check revealed he had an open warrant for felony first-degree burglary. The suspect, Terronta Antwon Leak, 18, of Waldorf, was arrested and transported to the Charles County Detention Center. Officer T. Verdiglione made the arrest.
SAFETY TIP: The best way to prevent theft from your auto is to always keep valuables out of sight. Never leave cell phones, briefcases, suitcases, or small electronic devices in your car in plain view. Take these items with you, or secure them-all the time, every time.