LA PLATA, Md. (March 04, 2010)—Charles County Sheriff Rex W. Coffey said officers arrested a total of five suspects in two unrelated robberies on Mall Circle on February 26, signifying the agency's commitment to keeping the area safe. "We have a zero tolerance attitude toward crime. We've increased police visibility, we're conducting specialized enforcement and we're making significant arrests. One by one we're going to work these cases until they're solved," said Sheriff Coffey.
On February 26 at approximately 10:45 p.m., officers received a report of an assault that occurred behind the movie theater at 11115 Mall Circle. The victim, 14, walked behind the building to urinate and was approached by several suspects who assaulted him and stole his wallet. A lookout was broadcast and responding officers recognized that the description of one suspect matched a person with whom they had previous contact that evening. Officers identified the suspect, Dario Harley Smith, 19, of Waldorf, and later arrested him at his house. He was charged with robbery which can carry up to a 20 year sentence. The investigation is on-going to identify the remaining suspects.
At 10:50 p.m., a 16-year old male was inside the McDonalds at 11025 Mall Circle when he became involved in an argument with a group of subjects. As the victim left, the suspects confronted him, implied they had a weapon and demanded the vicitm's tennis shoes. A lookout was broadcast for three males and a female fleeing the area in a dark colored Jeep.
Two hours later, a sheriff's officer spotted the suspect vehicle near a gas station on Berry Road. A traffic stop was initiated and officers found a loaded handgun, numerous bags of marijuana and crack cocaine as well as the victim's tennis shoes. Jacori Rashaad Graham, 19, of La Plata, Anthony Lamont Cooper, 19, of Lanham, Amber She-Brea Muse, 18, of Clinton, and David Earl Howington, 17 (charged as an adult), of Landover, were arrested and charged with armed robbery, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, and possession with intent to distribute. They were remanded to the Charles County Detention Center. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in jail for the robbery charge.
Source: Charles County Sheriff's Office