One Arrest in Lexington Park Family Dollar Robbery
On December 24, 2011 police units responded to the Family Dollar in Lexington Park for the report of a robbery. Officers were advised an unknown male entered the store, pushed a clerk, and stole a deposit containing an undisclosed amount of US currency. Detectives from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations continued the investigation which led to the arrest of Rachel E. Bowles on January 20.
On February 10, detectives arrested Lloyd E. Palmer, 25, of Clinton. The BCI investigation revealed Palmer entered the store after conspiring with Bowles to rob the store, and stole U.S. currency from the Family Dollar. Palmer was charged with Theft $1,000 to $10,000 and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center. Palmer was later released by a District Court Commissioner on personal recognizance.
Oyster Harvesting Violations
On February 9 at 3 p.m., the Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged three individuals with removing oysters from an oyster sanctuary and possessing undersized oysters in the St. Mary’s River near Great Mills. Officers charged Migdael A. Trujillo, 32, Lorenzo A. Regalado, 32, and Jose M. Vaquers, 42, all of Dameron. A trial date of May 18 has been set for the District Court of Maryland for St. Mary’s County.
Special Operations Saturation Patrol
On February 5 from 8:00 p.m. to midnight, the Special Operations Division of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office conducted saturation patrols to detect violators and enforce all traffic laws specifically those pertaining to the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and aggressive driving. The operation resulted in the following:
-- Eighteen motor vehicles were stopped;
-- Eighteen traffic citations issued;
-- Two equipment repair orders issued;
-- One motor vehicle collision investigated and resulted in the arrest of an individual for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
-- In addition, deputies assisted the Calvert County Sheriff's Office with managing a motor vehicle collision on the Thomas Johnson Bridge which also resulted in that agency arresting an individual for impaired driving.
Traffic Safety Initiative
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Special Operations Division, in cooperation with the Maryland State Police, Leonardtown Barrack, is conducting a Traffic Safety Initiative to address numerous traffic safety-related issues. Based on citizen complaints of speeding and aggressive driving, combined with 2011 motor vehicle collision data, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office has identified two travel areas where enforcement efforts will be concentrated.
In 2011, 460 motor vehicle collisions occurred on Three Notch Road between Wildewood Parkway and Pegg Road in the California and Lexington Park areas of St. Mary's County. In addition, 39 motor vehicle collisions occurred on Maryland Route 5 in Leonardtown.
Over the next couple of months, deputies and troopers will be patrolling these identified areas during the morning and evening hours when traffic volume is increased. Officers will attempt to detect motorists who are violating motor vehicle laws including speeding, unsafe lane change, following too closely, improper passing of school buses and inappropriate cell phone use. Motorists who violate Maryland traffic laws are subject to receive a citation for the violation(s).
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Polar Bear Plunge Results
On Friday, January 27, the Sheriff's Office Polar Bear Plunge Team braved the icy waters of the Chesapeake Bay in support of Maryland Special Olympics. Team members included:
-- Corrections Corporal Brian Hartz
-- Deputy First Class Cindy Allen
-- Correctional Officer Benjamin Luffey
-- Correctional Officer Daniel Holdsworth
-- Correctional Officer Jacob Jones
-- Correctional Officer First Class Daniel Catlett
-- Correctional Officer Catherine Poole
Approximately $2.5 million was raised by 14,500 Polar Bear Plungers in Maryland this year. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Team raised $2,250 for Maryland Special Olympics.