St. Mary's County Sheriff's Reports

LEONARDTOWN, Md. (March 28, 2011)—The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.

CHURCH BURGLARY, HINDERING: On March 23 at 9:15 p.m., deputies responded to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Lexington Park for a report of a burglary in progress. The complainant, a maintenance man/security guard, told deputies a black male entered the church and fled out the window when he arrived to check the building. The church had recently been the victim of other burglaries. The complainant stated that a short time later, a female, identified as Sara Jane Tawney, 22, of Lexington Park, pulled into the parking lot of the church. The complainant contacted the female and inquired why she was at the church. She stated she was picking up a friend. She was operating a white Honda passenger vehicle and fled prior to the arrival of the deputies. A lookout was broadcast for Tawney, her vehicle, and the male suspect. As Sgt. Walker was checking the area he spotted a male matching the description of the suspect. When the male saw Sgt. Walker, he fled. A foot chase ensued and the suspect managed to elude the deputy. A short time later Tawney's vehicle was spotted and stopped by the deputies. Further investigation revealed Tawney was in the church parking lot to pick up Justin Darrell Biscoe, 23 of Lexington Park, pictured above. Deputies located and arrested Biscoe. Biscoe was charged with two counts of burglary and one count of obstructing justice. Tawney was charged with obstructing justice.

FIRST DEGREE ASSAULT, RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT: On March 25, deputies investigated a disturbance on Columbus Drive in Lexington Park. Investigation revealed that as deputies arrived, they observed Shileka Janella Smith, 22, of Lexington Park, pictured above, waving a knife at the victim. Four young children were also in the residence in the area where Smith was waiving the knife. Deputies were able to remove the knife from Smith's possession. Further investigation revealed Smith was in a verbal dispute with the victim who Smith believed was trespassing in her residence. When the victim refused to leave, Smith grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened the victim. Smith was arrested and charged with first degree assault and reckless endangerment.


75 PERSON FIGHT, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, DRUG ARREST: On March 26, deputies responded to the Bay District Fire House in Lexington Park for a report of a large fight in progress. Upon arrival, deputies observed approximately 75 people arguing and screaming profanity. Deputies attempting to quell the disturbance approached several people including, Shanel Lavonya Gantt, 27, of Lexington Park. Gantt was yelling and screaming at several people in the crowd. They asked her to stop yelling and leave. She refused and was told she was under arrest. As deputies attempted to handcuff Gantt, she pulled away and a struggle ensued. At this time a second individual, later identified as Barbara Ellen Spriggs, 50, of Lexington Park, began screaming profanity and attempted to stop the deputies from arresting Gantt. Spriggs was ordered to back away. Spriggs refused and grabbed a deputy's arm. After a brief struggle Gantt and Spriggs were both subdued and handcuffed. A search of Gantt's person incident to her arrest revealed she was in possession of Percocet pills which were not contained in a prescription bottle labeled with her name. Gantt was charged with disorderly conduct, failing to obey a lawful order, resisting arrest and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Spriggs was charged with second degree assault, disorderly conduct, hindering and resisting arrest.

DRUG ARREST: On March 26 at approximately 4:00 a.m., deputies responded to the Quick Shop in Lexington Park for a report of a controlled dangerous substance violation in the parking lot of the business. Witness reported a black female had exited a maroon Mitsibishi Galant and dropped a baggie of suspected marijuana. When deputies arrived they located the vehicle driving around the parking lot without headlights. The driving was identified as Tina Marie Tippett, 22, of Lexington Park, pictured above. As deputies were speaking with Tippett they detected an odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Deputies also observed suspected marijuana in plain view in the center console. Tippett was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Deputies also discovered Tippett was in possession of suspected crack cocaine concealed on her person. She was additionally charged with possession of a second controlled dangerous substance - suspect crack cocaine.

DRUG ARREST: On March 26, Deputy Potter was patrolled the area of Kavanagh Road in Mechanicsville when he noticed and attempted to stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation. Deputy Potter activated his emergency equipment. The driver of the vehicle did not stop the vehicle right away, but eventually stopped. As Deputy Potter approached the vehicle he noticed the driver moving about the vehicle as if he may be attempting to hide something. When Deputy Potter spoke with the driver, identified as Clarence Vincent Nelson, Jr., 28, of Mechanicsville, Potter could smell an odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted and suspected marijuana was located in the vehicle. Nelson was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, suspected marijuana.

UNLAWFUL TAKING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE: On March 27 at approximately 1:00 p.m., O'Bryan Keith Lincoln, 20, of Mechanicsville, pictured at left, was told he could temporarily use a 2006 Dodge Caravan by an individual who did not have the authority to grant permission for the vehicle's use. When Lincoln was told he could use the vehicle, it was with the understanding that he (Lincoln) would only use the vehicle for a very short period of time to go to the store and return immediately. When the owner of the vehicle discovered the vehicle was loaned without her permission, she had Lincoln contacted several times between 1:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. and told him to return the vehicle immediately. Lincoln refused. On March 27 at approximately 7:00 a.m., the owner of the vehicle reported the car stolen. On March 27 at 10:30 a.m., Lincoln and the Dodge were located at Lincoln's residence. He was arrested and charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.