LA PLATA, Md. (May 21, 2010) - The Charles County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.
PIT BULL ATTACKS OFFICER WHO WAS IN PURSUIT OF ASSAULT SUSPECT: On May 20 at 7:54 p.m., officers were called to the 2100 block of Reverdy Farm Road in Indian Head for the report of an assault in progress. The female complainant called 911 and reported her boyfriend was beating her. When the first officer arrived, he observed the suspect, Joseph Brock Romanowski, 35, of Hartford County, run out of the house toward the back yard. The officer pursued but as he reached a wooded area behind the house, a full grown pit bull charged him, grabbed a hold of his ankle and attempted to bite him, ripping his pant's leg. The officer fell to the ground and the pit bull charged toward him. Fearing the dog would attack again, the officer discharged his issued firearm, striking the dog and disabling it. Additional officers, who arrived on the scene, apprehended Romanowski and placed him under arrest. Animal Control officers responded and transported the dog to a clinic where it died. The officer was treated at a nearby hospital for injuries he sustained when he fell. Officers were advised that once the suspect realized officers were responding, he went out back and unchained the pit bull. Further, officers were told the dog was being trained to be used in dog fights. Romanowski was charged with second- degree assault. The investigation is continuing.
OFFICERS ARREST MAN ARMED WITH GUN: On May 20 at 5:41 p.m., officers responded to Smallwood Drive and St. Charles Parkway in Waldorf for the report of a male armed with a gun. As officers arrived, they were flagged down by a man who said he was driving on Route 301 near Smallwood Drive when a man in a silver Chevrolet Cobalt flashed a gun at him during a "road rage" incident. Officers obtained a description of the suspect's car and spotted the vehicle near the 4000 block of Posey Court. A traffic stop was initiated and the victim confirmed the driver was the man who had the gun. Officers recovered a fully loaded handgun - containing 16 rounds - inside the car. The suspect, Antonius Lamont Reid, 39, of Waldorf, was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment. Officer C. Barrows made the arrest.