LA PLATA, Md. (July 12, 2010) - The Charles County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
DEATH INVESTIGATION: On July 11 at 4:09 p.m., Charles County Sheriffs officers were contacted by the Department of Natural Resources police regarding a missing boater who was last seen at the Aqualand Marina located at 9610 Orland Park Road in Newburg. A preliminary investigation revealed George Alfonso Tibbs, 64, of Indian Head, launched his boat at the marina between 11 a.m. and noon. At 3 p.m., witnesses reported seeing Tibbs' boat drift ashore with no one on board. DNR police and members of the Charles County Dive/Rescue Team responded and initiated a search. Mr. Tibbs was found deceased in the water a short distance away from the pier. His body was sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. Foul play is not suspected and the investigation is continuing.
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: On July 8 between 12:53 a.m. - 1:50 a.m., officers responded to the area of Smallwood Drive West near St. Anthony's Court for several reports that a group of males were throwing rocks at passing vehicles. Officers canvassed the scene and searched a wooded area but the suspects fled. No one was reported injured. Officer M. Hancock is investigating.
DEPARTMENTAL MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT: On July 7 at 6:27 p.m., a Charles County Sheriff's officer was responding to an emergency call (lights and siren were activated) in the 900 block of Washington Avenue in La Plata. As he approached Shining Willow Way, the officer attempted to drive around a car that was stopped to make a left turn. The officer's car struck an area of loose gravel which caused his vehicle to hit a curb and cross the center line where it struck a Honda Civic which was heading south on Washington Avenue. Firefighters from the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department removed the roof of the Civic and safely rescued all three occupants. The driver of the car - a 38-year-old woman - and a four-year-old male and a six-year-old female were flown to area hospitals with serious but non life-threatening injuries. The officer was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. At this point, it does not appear speed was a factor and the investigation is ongoing.
THEFT: On July 6 at 9 a.m., unknown suspects stole an air conditioning unit from a vacant house in the 8200 block of Hawthorne Road in La Plata.