LA PLATA, Md. (August 24, 2011)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
TIP FROM WITNESS AND GOOD PATROL WORK LEAD OFFICERS TO THEFT SUSPECT: Charles County Sheriff Rex W. Coffey said a tip from a citizen who called police immediately after seeing something suspicious led officers to a man suspected of breaking in to at least two cars at area dog parks and stealing credit cards from purses that were left inside the vehicles.
On Aug. 22, officers responded to the White Plains dog park for the report of a theft. A witness saw a man pry open a car door and steal a purse. The witness called police but the suspect fled in silver SUV. The witness provided officers with a good description of the suspect and his car and officers immediately began canvassing the area. A short time later, officers received a call for a theft at the Turkey Hill dog park. The victim left her purse in an unlocked car and the suspect stole a credit card from her purse. The victim received a call from her credit card company who alerted her someone was making unusual purchases at the Wal-Mart, Rite Aid and Food Lion in La Plata. Officers began canvassing the area and spotted the suspect's vehicle at the La Plata Target. They established a perimeter and observed a man and a woman exit the store with a large, flat screen TV and two iPads. The officers approached and observed numerous bags from the other stores inside the car. They also found gift cards and products that were purchased with the victim's credit card.
The suspect, Kenneth Allen Jenkins, 48, of Upper Marlboro, was arrested and charged with theft. Charges are pending against the woman. The purchases made at Target were made with a credit card that did not belong to either victim and had not yet been reported stolen. Detectives are trying to contact the person whose credit card was used. Investigators believe the suspects are responsible for numerous other thefts throughout the region and the investigation is ongoing.
TRAFFIC OPERATIONS OFFICERS CONDUCT SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT: On Aug. 19, officers assigned to the Traffic Operations Unit conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Washington Avenue in La Plata. A total of 341 vehicles passed through the checkpoint. Officers arrested Christopher James O'Brien, 28, of La Plata, and charged him with driving under the influence. In addition, officers issued 16 citations, 6 warnings and 2 equipment repair orders to other drivers. Further, one driver attempted to turn around prior to going through the checkpoint. As one of the officers attempted to stop the car, the driver drove directly toward the officer. The driver fled and abandoned the car in a nearby neighborhood. Officers and a police K-9 searched the area and recovered evidence. Officers are in the process of identifying the driver.
STRONG-ARM ROBBERY: On Aug. 22 at 6 p.m., two suspects approached the victim, 21, in the area of Lancaster Drive and Grouse Place in Waldorf. The suspects knocked the victim to the ground and stole his wallet. Officers canvassed the area and processed the scene for evidence. The victim was treated for minor injuries. Anyone with information is asked to call the Charles County Sheriff's Office at (301) 932-2222. Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspects.
TWO TEENS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPT ROBBERY: On Aug. 22 at 1:43 p.m., the victim, 17, was walking in the 3000 block of St. Charles Parkway in Waldorf when the suspects approached, threatened him with large sticks and demanded his iPod. The victim refused and the suspects fled. A police K-9 team responded and tracked the suspects to Huntington Circle where another officer located two teens. The suspects - a 16-year-old male and a 14-year-old male - were linked to the crime. They were arrested and charged with attempt robbery.
BURGLARY: Between Aug. 10 and Aug. 21, unknown suspect(s) broke into a house in the 1200 block of Wellfleet Drive in Waldorf and stole a small amount of money.
BURGLARY: On Aug. 19 at 12:44 p.m., officers responded to a burglary report in the 3100 block of Jacqueline Way in Bryans Road. Unknown suspect(s) broke into a house and stole TV's and electronics.