LA PLATA, Md. (January 11, 2011)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
OFFICERS ARREST JUVENILES IN CONNECTION WITH VEHICLE THEFT: On January 10 at 10:04 p.m., a car was stolen from the 3200 block of Westdale Court in Waldorf. The vehicle owner started the car, a Dodge Intrepid, but left it warming with the keys in the ignition while she went back inside her house for a few minutes. Upon retuning to the parking lot, she discovered her car was stolen. Officers canvassed the area and located the vehicle on Tanglewood Drive. Two juveniles, ages 12 and 17, were inside the car. They had a glass punch tool used to break out the window of the car and they were wearing latex gloves. The suspects were arrested and charged with theft. Officer D. Major and Sgt. G. Draheim made the arrests.
The Sheriff's office is reminding people never to leave a vehicle unattended with the engine running and keys in the ignition. Not only is it against the law, more importantly it provides an opportunity for a thief to steal it.
OFFICERS ARREST MAN IN CONNECTION WITH BURGLARY ATTEMPT AFTER CITIZEN CALLED POLICE TO REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY: On January 10 at approximately 5:15 p.m., officers responded to the 12000 block of Pierce Road in Waldorf for the report of a burglary in progress. The victim reported she saw a white male near the back of her house. When she approached the man, he extended his hand to shake hers and claimed he was looking for a lost dog. As the victim looked around, she noticed the back door to her house was damaged. The suspect suddenly fled and the victim called police.
As officers canvassed the area, they received a call for another burglary in progress at a nearby house on Hunting Lane. The homeowner said a white male knocked on her front door and then went to the rear of the house and tried to get in through the back door. The witness also reported seeing a small red Honda fleeing the area.
Patrol officers and detectives quickly linked the car to a suspect who lived in the area and was known to commit similar burglaries. They located the suspect, Eric Fisher, 28, and found evidence linking him to the attempt burglaries. Fisher was arrested and charged with attempt burglary. Officers Weedon, Major and Hemsley made the arrest.
BURGLARY: On January 10 at 6:44 p.m., a house in the 5600 block of Huckleberry Drive in Hughesville was burglarized and cash was stolen.
BURGLARY: On January 9 at 8:31 p.m., a house in the 5200 block of Grunion Place was burglarized and a laptop was stolen.
BURGLARY: On January 7 at 6:30 p.m., a house in the 3200 block of Ryon Court in Waldorf was burglarized and televisions, electronics and game systems were stolen.
THREE CHARGED WITH POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE: On January 8 at 11:08 p.m., officers responded to Westdale Drive for the report of suspicious activity. Upon arrival, officers discovered three people inside car smoking marijuana. They also recovered smaller baggies and drug paraphernalia. The suspects, Richard James Dale, 18, Nicholas Moore, 19, and a third male, 14, all of Waldorf, were arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
STRONG ARM ROBBERY: On January 7 at 10 p.m., unknown suspects approached a woman who was delivering food at the Days Inn at 11370 Days Court in Waldorf and inquired about her delivery. The suspects then grabbed the victim's food and fled. Officers canvassed the area and processed the scene for evidence.
STRONG ARM ROBBERY: On January 5 at 6:20 p.m., three suspects approached the victim, 23, in the 2000 block of St. Thomas Drive. They asked her a question and when she refused to answer, one suspect punched her. The suspects stole the victim's jewelry and money and fled in a dark colored SUV. Officers canvassed the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at (301) 932-2222.
DRUG POSSESSION: On Jan. 5 at 11:47 p.m., Charles County Sheriff's Officer R. Garrett was patrolling Community Drive in Waldorf when she observed a vehicle without headlights on stopped in front of a residence. The vehicle then drove away, its headlights still off. Officer Garrett stopped the vehicle on Route 228 near Middletown Road and when she approached it, she smelled marijuana. After a brief conversation with the driver, during which the driver failed to provide the officer with his license and registration, the driver fled east on Route 228. Officer Garrett returned to her patrol car and pursued the fleeing vehicle, which stopped at a residence on Alyssa Lane in the Streamview neighborhood. The driver was taken into custody and a search of the vehicle revealed he was in possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and packaging materials. Officers also recovered additional marijuana and drug paraphernalia on Streamview Drive, where the driver had discarded it during the pursuit. The driver was identified as Jonathan David Gaines, 23, of Waldorf. He was arrested and charged with marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of drug packaging materials, possession with intention to distribute drugs, fleeing and eluding police, reckless driving, negligent driving and speeding. He was being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before a district court commissioner.
MAN CHARGED IN ATTEMPT TO ROB BANK: The Charles County Sheriff's Office arrested Eric Darnell Lanham, 37, of Waldorf for the attempted robbery of the Capital One Bank located at 3068 Waldorf Market Place in Waldorf. Lanham entered the bank on Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. and passed a note to the teller demanding money. When the teller refused, Lanham indicated the note was a joke. He made a deposit and left the bank. Officers responded to the bank for the investigation and consulted with the Charles County State's Attorney's Office. On Jan 3, a District Court commissioner issued a criminal summons charging Lanham in connection with the attempt robbery.
TRAFFIC FATALITY: On Jan. 5 at 12:30 a.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to the intersection of Route 301 and Hawthorn Road in La Plata for the report of a motor vehicle collision. Their investigation revealed a motorcycle struck the rear of a Dodge Durango as the motorcycle attempted to pass the Durango on northbound 301. The motorcycle’s driver, Tony Maurice Wheatly, 25, of La Plata, was pronounced dead at the scene. The SUV’s driver, Roland Faison, 39, of Upper Marlboro, and his six passengers were uninjured. The initial investigation indicates the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed. PFC S. Stanley of the Traffic Operations Unit is investigating the crash.