LEONARDTOWN, Md. (Sept. 14, 2010) - The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.
SEEKING INFO ON FIREARMS THEFTS: Detectives with the Bureau of Criminal Investigations are seeking information from the public in reference to a burglary and subsequent theft of firearms which took place in the early morning hours of August 13 at D's Outdoor Supplies located at 20353 Point Lookout Road in Great Mills. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective First Class J. McCoy at 301-475-4200 extension 9119. Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Solvers at (301) 475-3333. Callers may also text message information at TIPS 239 plus your message to 274-637 (CRIMES).
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: On September 12, deputies responded to a residence on Point Lookout Road in St. Inigoes for a report of a destruction of property. Upon arrival deputies noticed the two story structure was sub-divided into two separate apartments. The victim lived in the upstairs apartment and James Wayne Murphy, 46 of St. Inigoes, was visiting the downstairs tenant. The victim reported she was in a verbal dispute with Murphy. After the disputed ended, the victim noticed her television lost the cable signal. The victim looked outside and saw Murphy standing on her steps holding the cut cable wire and a kitchen knife. Murphy was arrested for destruction of property.
FIRST DEGREE BURGLARY, TRESPASSING, THEFT: On September 12 at approximately 11:15 p.m. deputies responded to a residence on Sugar Lane in Valley Lee for a report of a burglary. The investigation led to the development of Patrick Neal Boothe, 24 of Drayden, as a suspect in the burglary. On September 13 at approximately 0200 hours, deputies located Boothe's vehicle at his residence. As deputies were forming a perimeter around Boothe's residence, John Otha Dickens, Jr., 22 of Drayden, exited the residence. When Dickens noticed the deputies outside of the residence he slammed the door shut. The deputies told Dickens that they were at the residence to investigate a burglary and asked if Boothe was home. Dickens told deputies that he rented a room from Boothe and that the deputies would need a search warrant to enter the residence. Dickens told the deputies that the only other person in the residence was his friend Travis Jermaine Walton, 28 of Great Mills. Deputies called out to Walton and he exited the residence. Deputies told Walton that they were investigating a burglary and asked Walton if anyone else was inside the residence. Walton told the deputies that there was no one else in the residence. Deputies could still hear movement inside of the residence and explained to both Dickens and Walton that if they continued to provide false information in a police investigation they could be charged with hindering an investigation. Both Dickens and Walton stated they had not seen Boothe. Deputies used a public address system to call into the residence for Boothe. Boothe exited the residence. Boothe was arrested and charged with first degree burglary, trespassing and theft under $100.00. Dickens and Walton were charged with hindering a police investigation.
SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: On September 13, deputies responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence on Grayson Road in St. Inigoes. Investigation revealed Michele Marie Lepter, 43 of Millsboro, Delaware was in a verbal dispute with the victim. The dispute was occurring through a window in the residence. The verbal dispute escalated into a physical assault when the window was shut and Ms. Lepter punched through the window striking the victim in the face. Lepter was arrested and charged with second degree assault.
TRESPASSING, POSSESSION OF SUSPECTED DRUG RESIDUE: On September 13, deputies responded to Joe Baker Court in Lexington Park for a report of trespassing. Investigation revealed Charles Edward Taylor III, 24 of Lexington Park, had been served with a notice not to trespass at the residence. Taylor was found hiding inside of a closet inside the residence when deputies arrived. Located on the floor inside of the closet next to Taylor was an aluminum can shaped into a smoke device. The can contained suspected controlled dangerous substance residue. Taylor arrested and charged with trespassing, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of controlled dangerous substance residue.
TRESPASSING: On September 13, deputies responded to the St. Mary's County Advanced Life Support Station located in Leonardtown for a report of a trespasser. Upon arrival deputies found William Dennis Proctor, 54 of no fixed address, on the property. Deputies asked Proctor several times to leave the property. He refused and was arrested for trespassing.
SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: On September 13, deputies responded to a residence on Gregory Drive in Leonardtown for a report of an assault in progress. Investigation revealed Derkia Denes Hopkins, 21 of Leonardtown, was engaged in a verbal dispute which escalated into a physical assault when Hopkins tore the victim's shirt off leaving scratches on the victim's back. Hopkins then grabbed a knife but the victim was able to take the knife from Hopkins. Hopkins was charged with second degree assault.