So. Md. Police Briefs

Deceased Newborn Found in Car Trunk

On March 8 at approximately 6:39 p.m., members of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office responded to 5400 block of Howling Point Road in Prince Frederick for a deceased new born infant that was located in the trunk of a vehicle. Family members of the owner of this vehicle located the body while cleaning the interior. Members of the Calvert Investigative Team, comprised of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office Maryland State Police and the Calvert County State's Attorney's Office, are currently investigating this case. Detectives from the Maryland State Police and Calvert County Sheriff's Office are currently conducting interviews with family members and the owner of the vehicle. Please Contact Detective Mike Mudd at 410-535-1600 at x2469 if you have any further information.

FedEx Truck Rear-ends School Bus

On March 5 at approximately 3:38 pm, a traffic collision occurred on Maryland Route 2 at Pushaw Station Road in Sunderland. Preliminary investigation revealed that a FedEx tractor and trailer struck the rear of a Calvert County school bus. Both vehicles were traveling north on Route 2 in traffic. The school bus was slowing for traffic when it was struck in the rear by the Fed Ex truck. Four students were on board the school bus at the time of the collision. The bus driver and one student were transported to Calvert Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the FedEx truck was flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to Prince George's Hospital Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to be a factor. The Fed Ex truck was taken to a local tow lot where it is going to be examined by Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Inspectors. The investigation is on-going at this time and traffic charges are pending.

Route 2 was shut down for a brief period. Members of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office, Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department, and the State Highway Administration assisted at the scene. The investigation is being handled by TFC Sorenson of the Prince Frederick Barrack.

Man Held on $500,000 Bond after Barricade in Hollywood

On March 3 at approximately 3:00 a.m., deputies responded to a residence on Mervell Dean Road in Hollywood for a check the welfare. It was reported Joseph Leonard Anderson, 53, of Mechanicsville, was armed and threatening to harm himself.

Responding deputies located Anderson on the property inside of a two story shed/workshop. Deputies attempted to contact Anderson but he refused to communicate and fired several shots inside of the workshop/shed. As a result, a perimeter was established and a barricade called.

Members of the St. Mary's County Emergency Services Team, Critical Incident Negotiations Team and K-9 units responded to the scene. In addition, the Calvert County Sheriff's Office Special Operations Team were contacted and responded to the scene to assist. Sheriff's Office crisis negotiators attempted numerous times to contact Anderson via telephone. Anderson refused to answer the phone for the negotiators. With the aide of the Emergency Response Teams the negotiators attempted face to face communication with Anderson. Anderson refused to comply with the request of the officers and took a defensive stance by throwing large items and barricading all ingress and egress points to the workshop/shed.

At one point during the attempted negotiations, Anderson exited the workshop/shed through a second story door and fired several shot from a long gun at two tactical deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff's Office and the two deputies (negotiators) from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office. Anderson's shots did not strike the deputies. Calvert County Sheriff Office tactical deputies, upon being fired upon, returned fire. No one was injured.

Anderson eventually spoke with negotiators and at approximately 10:34 a.m. he surrendered and was taken into custody. Detectives from the St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigation assumed the investigation. Anderson was transported to St. Mary's Hospital for an emergency evaluation and was subsequently released. Upon his release he was charged with 4 Counts of First Degree Assault; 4 Counts of Second Degree Assault; and Reckless Endangerment.

Anderson was being held in the St. Mary's County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.

Assault Victim Shot in Mechanicsville

On March 3 at 11:36 p.m., police units responded to a private residence in Mechanicsville for the report of a disturbance with shots being fired. Upon arrival it was determined an adult male victim had received a gunshot wound to the leg. BCI was contacted, responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

Investigation by detectives determined the adult male victim had been involved in a physical confrontation inside and outside the residence with several persons residing at the residence. The victim was able to flee the residence at which time the suspect, Paul A. Reed, age 46, of Mechanicsville exited the residence, approached the victim and fired two shots at the victim one of which struck the victim in the leg. The victim fled from the residence and hid until police arrived.

The victim was transported to St. Mary's Hospital where he was treated and released. Reed was placed under arrest, transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center and charged with Assault 1st Degree. Reed was later released from the detention center after posting a $75,000 bond.

Arrest in Burglaries

In February, detectives from the St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations assumed an investigation into several burglaries to private residences in the Hollywood and Mechanicsville area. As a result of the investigation, Charles Rodger Wathen, 31, of Hollywood, was identified as a suspect in the burglaries and warrants were obtained for his arrest.

On March 5 at 7:09 p.m., detectives, assisted by Sheriff's Office patrol units, responded to a residence in Mechanicsville where Wathen was believed to be hiding from police. Upon police arrival, Wathen attempted to flee through a back door of the residence and was apprehended without incident. Wathen was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center, charged with three counts of 1st Degree Burglary, two counts of Theft $1,000 - $10,000 and one count of Theft under $1,000. Wathen is currently incarcerated on a $50,000 bond.

Inmate Walks Away from Treatment Center

On February 10, Cary Michael Anderson, 31, of Dameron, walked away from the Jude House where he was receiving treatment under court authorization while an inmate at the St. Mary's County Detention Center. An arrest warrant was issued for Anderson for Escape and forwarded to BCI for investigation. On February 27, Anderson was located, arrested by Det./Cpl. W. Raddatz and warrants for Escape, and three warrants for Violation of Probation were served on Anderson. Anderson was transported to the Detention Center pending further judicial proceedings.