LA PLATA, Md. (April 22, 2011)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
TWO EARLY MORNING ROBBERIES IN LA PLATA: Charles County Sheriff's detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division are investigating two robberies that occurred during the early morning hours in La Plata. The first incident occurred on April 19 at 4:47 a.m. on Kent Avenue near the railroad tracks. Two suspects approached the victim, 24, ordered him to the ground, struck him, and stole his wallet and cell phone. The suspects were described as black males in their twenties. One suspect was tall and wearing a dark coat with white sleeves. Both suspects covered their face with a piece of clothing to disguise themselves.
On April 20 at 5:50 a.m., a lone suspect approached a male, 70, in the 500 block of Charles Street, ordered him to the side of a building, displayed a handgun and stole his money. Officers responded, conducted a canvass and processed the scene for evidence. The suspect was described as a black male in his twenties, 5'11, 180 lbs., wearing a dark coat and a white bandana to cover portions of his face. Detectives are looking into the possibility these cases are related and they are pursuing several leads.
CITIZEN ROBBERY: Charles County Sheriff's detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division are investigating a robbery that occurred on April 19 at 11:09 p.m. in the area of Bluebird Drive. The victim, 20, was walking in the area when two males got out of an SUV, displayed a knife and long gun and demanded money. The victim complied and the suspects fled. Officers responded, canvassed the area, and processed the scene for evidence. The suspects, a tall black male and a heavy set black male, fled in a tan SUV, possibly a Ford or Chevrolet, with tinted windows.
CITIZEN ROBBERY: On April 18 at 9:40 p.m., officers responded to the 13000 block of Poplar Hill Road for the report of a robbery. The victim reported she was stopped on the shoulder of the roadway due to vehicle trouble. She reported a male knocked on her window and asked if she needed help. When she replied no, the suspect demanded she open the car door and she complied. The suspect then demanded her purse, money and other valuables. He fled the area in a dark colored SUV. Officers canvassed the area and processed the scene for evidence.
THEFT AND ASSAULT: On April 20 at 1:32 p.m., four subjects - described as two teenaged males and two teenaged females - entered a beauty supply shop in the 3000 block of Market Place in Waldorf. They picked up several items and brought them to the counter as if to make a purchase. Rather than pay, the suspects ran out of the front door with the items. The clerk went to chase after them but one of the suspects struck her and knocked her to the ground. All four suspects fled in a blue passenger car. Detectives are working on leads. Anyone with information is asked to call the Charles County Sheriff's Office at (301)932-2222. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
OFFICER INTERRUPTS THEFT IN PROGRESS AND RECOVERS STOLEN PROPERTY: On April 19 at 2 a.m., Cpl. J. Timko was patrolling a shopping center in the 5000 block of Indian Head Highway in Indian Head when he observed a vehicle in the parking lot. A check of the car showed it had been disabled due to a flat tire. The officer noted there was property inside the car but the vehicle had been locked. Two hours later, the officer again drove by the shopping center but this time he noticed a van next to the disabled car. The officer approached and asked if anyone needed assistance. The driver of the van walked away at which time he was asked to provide identification. The driver jumped into the van and fled at a high rate of speed. Cpl. Timko initiated a traffic stop but the driver continued, eventually pulling over on Hawthorne Road. A check of the van revealed some of the property that was observed earlier in the disabled car. The driver of the van, Anthony Russell Thomas, 48, of La Plata, was arrested and charged with theft under $1,000, theft over $1,000, possession of burglary tools and malicious destruction of property, and rogue and vagabond.
DETECTIVES SEEK IDENTITY OF SUSPECT: Charles County Sheriff's detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division are seeking the public's help identifying the man responsible for stealing a ring from Shaw's Jewelers at St. Charles Town Center Mall. On April 8 at about 8:40 p.m., the suspect entered the store and asked to see a diamond ring. The employee complied and the suspect began walking out. The employee confronted the man at which point he implied he had a gun and threatened her. The suspect fled through another store. Officers canvassed the area and processed the scene for evidence. Detectives obtained leads and learned the suspect may be responsible for similar thefts throughout the region. The victim was able to provide detectives with a composite sketch of the suspect and described him as a black male in his 40's-50's, salt/pepper un-kept hair, a pointed nose, and light colored eyes. He was wearing blue jeans, a black vest and a black leather jacket. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective P. Tona at (301) 609-6501.
Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in Charles County that leads to an arrest or indictment. Anyone with information about a crime may contact Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or Text CHARLES + your tip to CRIMES or visit www.ccso.us to submit a web tip. All callers remain anonymous.