LA PLATA, Md. (August 11, 2011)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.
WHEEL THEFTS: In response to two recent thefts and an attempt theft of expensive car wheels and rims, the sheriff's office is reminding residents to take precautions and report suspicious activity immediately. These types of thefts are not new, have no boundaries and have occurred across the metropolitan area including Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. The most recent thefts occurred this week in Waldorf in the 3200 block of Westdale Court and the 2100 block of Briarwood Drive. There was an attempt theft in the 3400 block of Promenade Place.
Investigators say the suspects are quick and usually strike during the overnight hours. In most cases, they drive through residential areas - possibly in stolen minivans or trucks - spot a vehicle with the wheels they want, and then steal the rims and wheels, leaving the vehicle on bricks, cinder blocks, milk crates or landscaping stones.
While the sheriff's office continues to pursue leads - and in some cases, make arrests - residents are asked to focus on prevention:
-- Park vehicles as close to your house as possible, utilizing a garage or carport if available.
-- Keep outdoor lights on.
-- Consider an alarm or locking lug nuts.
-- Listen for dogs barking or other unusual noises during early morning hours and report suspicious activity immediately.
-- Be on the lookout for vehicles driving slowly through your neighborhood. In some cases the suspects have used stolen mini vans to transport the wheels.
-- Mark rims and other valuables with a personal code or ID to help officers positively identify recovered stolen property.
ATTEMPTED MURDER, FIRST-DEGREE ASSAULT: On Aug. 11 at 1:24 a.m., an 18-year-old male flagged down a police officer and reported a male had just shot at him. The victim said he was at the Bannister Recreation Center in the 1200 block of Bannister Circle in Waldorf picking up a friend when he was confronted by the suspect who was in the area waiting for him. The suspect threatened the victim with a handgun and fired a shot as the victim fled. The round went through the car window and lodged into the driver's seat headrest. The victim, who was not injured, lost control of his car and crashed into a fence. Officers responded and quickly located the suspect at his residence. They also recovered a loaded 9mm handgun. The suspect, 17, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and first-degree assault. Officer S. Cartwright is investigating.
BURGLARY: On Aug. 9 between 8:15 a.m. and 6:15 p.m., unknown suspect(s) threw a rock through a rear sliding glass door of a house in the 2500 block of Bolinbrook Court in Bryans Road and stole a computer. Officers canvassed the neighborhood and processed the scene for at evidence. Cpl. J. Timko is investigating.