LA PLATA, Md. (Jan. 22, 2010) - Charles County Sheriff Rex W. Coffey said Sheriff's Officers C. Caldwell, T. Yates and members of the COPS Unit arrested a 17-year-old male on January 19 in connection with a citizen robbery that occurred on January 14 at 4:37 p.m. in the 3900 block of St. Marks Drive in Waldorf. Sheriff Coffey said the quick arrest is the result of a number of factors including the recovery of evidence, police intuition, and good surveillance equipment.
During the robbery, two suspects approached the male victim, knocked him to the ground, and assaulted him as they tried to steal his wallet. The victim resisted and the suspects fled.
Officers responded to the area and processed the scene for evidence, locating a bottle of vodka which had been discarded by one of the suspects. Officers surmised the liquor may have come from a nearby store and they proceeded to the business to see if there was a link. Store employees relayed no one had purchased that particular brand of vodka and offered the officers a look at the store's surveillance footage. On the footage, officers observed two males - matching the description of the robbery suspects - stealing a bottle of vodka.
Based on the footage and further investigation, officers subsequently identified one of the suspects. A search warrant was executed at the suspect's house where officers recovered evidence from the robbery. The suspect was arrested and charged with robbery and assault.
Officers are working to identify the other suspect and the investigation is continuing.
Source: Charles County Sheriff's Office