SEATBELT ENFORCEMENT MAY 1-JUNE 5: The Sheriff's Office will join other nationwide law enforcement agencies and highway safety advocates all across the country for the 2011 National Click It or Ticket seatbelt enforcement mobilization May 1 through June 5. During the mobilization, officers will cite motorists who fail to wear their seatbelts. Deputies will be vigilant and take enforcement action during the day and at night. The Charles and Calvert County Sheriff's Offices, and the Maryland State Police, will also participate in conducting seatbelt checkpoints during the campaign.
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT AND SATURATION PATROLS: On April 30, 2011, the Sheriff's Office in cooperation with the Maryland State Police, Leonardtown Barrack conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Maryland Route 4 at the base of the Thomas Johnson Bridge in California. Once the sobriety checkpoint was completed, the officers continued their efforts with saturation patrols in an attempt to locate and arrest impaired drivers.
Three hundred and seventy-nine vehicles passed through the checkpoint. As a result of the checkpoint and the saturation patrols, four vehicles were stopped and the driver's were administered a standard field sobriety test to determine their level of alcohol intoxication. The Maryland State Police arrested two individuals for operating a motor while under the influence of alcohol.
In addition, two vehicles were stopped as a result of violation alerts from the Sheriff's Office mobile license plate reader. The Sheriff's Office Traffic Safety Unit has mounted a portable camera on an unmarked police cruiser. The portable camera scans license plates and transmits the information to a computer linked to the Motor Vehicle Administration. The Motor Vehicle Administration's computers then check the vehicle's registration information for violations such as suspended registration and/or vehicle insurance violations.
DRUG ARREST: On May 1, deputies discovered Ronald William Crowley, 49 of Charlotte Hall sitting in the driver's seat of a motor vehicle which was stationary in the middle of Bach Drive in Charlotte Hall. The engine to the vehicle was running and the vehicle was blocking traffic. Deputies could smell a moderate odor of an alcoholic beverage and suspected phencyclidine upon Crowley's person. Further investigation revealed Crowley was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating substance and he was arrested. Search incident to the arrest revealed a clear vial containing suspected phencyclidine plainly visible in the center console of the vehicle. Crowley was additionally charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, suspected phencyclidine and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia.
FIRST, SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: On May 1, deputies responded to a residence on Ritz Drive in Lexington Park for an assault in progress. Investigation revealed James Walter Wheeler, Jr., 22, of Lexington Park, was engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim which escalated into a physical assault when Wheeler choked the victim. Wheeler was arrested and charged with first and second degree assault.
VIOLATION OF A PROTECTIVE ORDER: On April 5, Garry Victor Shubrooks, 43, of no fixed address, was served with a protective order ordering that he not contact the petitioner of the order by any means. The protective order remains in effect until April 5, 2012. On May 2, Shubrooks violated the conditions of the order when he attempted to contact the petitioner by mail. Shubrooks was charged with violating the conditions of a protective order.