LEONARDTOWN, Md. (March 3, 2011)—The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.
FIRST DEGREE ASSAULT: On March 2, deputies responded to a residence on Cooney Neck Road in Mechanicsville for a report of a disturbance in progress. Investigation revealed Richard Frank Powell, 25 of Mechanicsville, was in a verbal dispute which escalated into a physical assault when Powell punched the victim in the face. Powell then retrieved a knife from the kitchen, extended the knife towards the victim and threatened to kill her. The victim sent a text message to another individual asking that they call the police because she needed help. The third party contacted 911, deputies responded and arrested Powell. Powell was charged with first and second degree assault.
BOTTLE OF RUM LIFTED: On March 2, deputies responded to Guenther's Wine and Spirits in Leonardtown for a report of a theft. Video surveillance revealed a black male, shaved head, wearing a white and dark colored football jersey with the number 12 and name Rodgers on the back took a bottle of rum, place it in his pants and exited the store. A short time later Deputy Adamo stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation. The passenger in vehicle, later identified as James Edward Young, 45 of Leonardtown, Maryland, matched the description of the suspect wanted in the theft from Guenther's Wine and Spirits. The stolen bottle of rum was lying on the floor board of the vehicle at Young's feet. Young was arrested and charged with theft.
CHILD SUPPORT WARRANT, DRUG ARREST: On March 2, Sheila Christine Vernon, 41 of Lexington Park, was arrested on an open child support warrant. A search of her person incident to her arrest revealed she was in possession of a black smoking device containing suspected crack cocaine residue. Vernon was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia.
RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A REGULATED FIREARM: On March 2, the St. Mary's Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call for an individual firing a gun on Pumphouse Lane in Leonardtown. Pumphouse lane is located in a residential neighborhood. Deputies responded and located Dale Ross Sprouse, 48 of Leonardtown. For officer safety, the deputies conducted a pat-down of Sprouse's person and located a loaded handgun in his waistband. Sprouse was also in possession of several prescription medications. Further investigation revealed Sprouse is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm. Sprouse indicated to the deputies that he felt as though the prescription medication was affecting his actions. Sprouse was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, wearing or carrying a firearm on his person, and wearing or carrying a firearm under the influence of prescription medication.
MEGA BURGLARIES RESOLVED WITH ARREST IN PG COUNTY: Detectives from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations initiated an investigation regarding several burglaries to local businesses and construction sites throughout St. Mary's County. These burglaries resulted in the theft of various amounts of copper wire, copper piping, tools, electronics and work equipment having a value in excess of $120,000. Following a three month long investigation involving burglaries in several jurisdictions throughout Maryland and Virginia, a search and seizure warrant was executed on March 2 in Suitland, Prince George's County, by BCI detectives with the assistance of detectives from Prince George's County, District 4 Station. Antonio G. Wyatt, age 34, of Suitland, was arrested without incident at the residence. Several stolen items were recovered from burglaries which were committed in Virginia. Wyatt was charged with 5 counts of second degree burglary, 3 counts of theft over $1000, 2 counts of theft over $10,000, 1 count of theft scheme over $100,000. He is incarcerated in the St. Mary's County Detention Center under a $75,000 bond. Additional charges may be forthcoming following a State's Attorney review.