LA PLATA, Md. (March 20, 2012)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.
THEFT FROM AUTOS: On March 19, between 3:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., unknown suspects stole a spare tire from a car at the Mattawoman Park and Ride in Waldorf. Officers canvassed the area and discovered another car in which it appeared someone tried to steal the spare tire. In addition, officers found a tire lying in the parking lot; however, it had not yet been reported stolen. Officer M. Smith is investigating.
HANDGUN RECOVERED ON SCHOOL PROPERTY: On March 19 at 7:45 a.m., staff at Mattawoman Middle School, 10145 Berry Road, Waldorf, received a tip through the school Crime Solvers program that a student might be in possession of a handgun. Officers and school administrators took quick action and found the gun, which was unloaded, inside a book bag in the youth's locker. Further investigation revealed the student stole the gun from his house and was allegedly going to sell it after school. The student was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon on school property. Student Crime Solvers is a program in which students can report criminal or suspicious activity to the CCSO or school administrators and remain anonymous. Since its inception, numerous cases ranging from school infractions to thefts have been solved as a result of student tips. Officer M. DePaulo is investigating.
BURGLARIES: On March 19 at 12:01 a.m., Officer B. Kunz was checking local businesses when he observed broken glass from a window of a service door at Waldorf Dodge, 2450 Crain Highway, in Waldorf. Officers checked the building and discovered someone had entered the business and stole money. Officers checked other dealerships in the area and discovered someone had broken into Waldorf Ford as well. Further, a window at Waldorf Nissan was damaged but nothing was reported stolen. The scenes were processed for evidence and the investigation is continuing.
OFFICERS ARREST SUSPECT IN STRONG-ARM ROBBERY: On March 16, CCSO School Resource Officers arrested a 15-year-old male in connection with a strong-arm robbery that occurred at North Point High School, 2500 Davis Road in Waldorf. On March 9, at about 4 p.m., the victim, 15, was walking home from school after missing his ride. There was an early dismissal that day and most people were gone. As the victim was cutting across the parking lot, the suspect approached, struck him and stole his cell phone. The victim went back to the school and notified an administrator. In the days that followed, officers and school staff worked together to identify the suspect. Footage from a security camera and other leads helped officers link the suspect to the case. The suspect was arrested without incident at school and charged as a juvenile with strong-arm robbery and second degree assault. The victim's cell phone was also recovered.
OFFICERS IDENTIFY THEFT SUSPECTS/RECOVER STOLEN PROPERTY: On March 18 at 1:30 a.m., officers responded to the 10800 block of Trinity Church Road in La Plata for the report of a theft from a motor vehicle. The investigation revealed that a laptop was stolen from a vehicle, and in the same time frame, a witness observed a ten-speed style bike and a pink and purple girl's bike in the area. Officers had a similar incident the night before on Norwood Drive in which a GPS was stolen and similar bicycles were seen. Through investigation, two suspects were identified. Further investigation showed the suspects were also responsible for several thefts in the Clarks Run neighborhood during which a holster, laptop, briefcase and a portable DVD player were stolen. Officers recovered all of the stolen property, except the GPS, and returned it to the victims. The suspects, both 17, face charges of burglary, theft, and rogue and vagabond. PFC K. Syvertsen and Sgt. Shoemaker investigated.
OFFICERS ARREST SUSPECTS IN PROPERTY DAMAGE INCIDENTS: On March 18 at 4:25 a.m., officers responded to the area of Hunt Place and St. Ignatius Drive in Waldorf for the report of juveniles tampering with several cars. Officers canvassed the neighborhood and located three suspects. Witnesses positively identified them. Investigation revealed the suspects jumped on several parked cars and damaged the rooftops, hoods and trunks of at least two vehicles. The damage to each car was estimated to be more than $1,000. The suspects, ages 14 and 15, were charged with destruction of property. Pfc. S. Duley is investigating.
FIRST-DEGREE ASSAULT: On March 17 at 12:20 a.m., officers responded to the 11700 block of Business Park Drive in Waldorf for the report of an armed robbery with shots fired. The victim, 16, reported he and several friends were in the 3200 block of Westdale Court when a lone male approached and demanded money. The victims did not comply and they fled. The suspect fired shots, striking the victim in the torso. The victim was transported to a hospital where he was treated for a non life-threatening injury and released. The Criminal Investigations Division is investigating.
BURGLARIES: On March 19 at 12:01 a.m., Officer B. Kunz was checking local businesses when he observed broken glass from a window on a service door at Waldorf Dodge, 2450 Crain Highway, in Waldorf. Officers contacted a manager who responded and upon checking the building, it was learned someone had entered the business and stolen money. Officers checked other businesses in the area and discovered someone had broken into Waldorf Ford as well. Further, someone damaged a window at Waldorf Nissan but nothing was reported stolen. The scenes were processed for evidence and the investigation is continuing.
OFFICERS APPREHEND METAL THEFT SUSPECTS: On March 14 at 2:39 p.m., officers responded to Burch's Garage in the 10800 block of Charles Street in La Plata after an employee called to report a theft of scrap metal that just occurred. Officers arrived and obtained a description of the suspect's vehicle which fled the scene minutes earlier. On a hunch, officers responded to the Charlotte Hall Metal & Scrap company and located the suspect's car. Some of the stolen scrap metal was found. The suspects, Jonathan Richard Crowley, 20, of Newburg, and Tyler Patrick Springer, 18, of Hollywood, were charged with burglary and theft. The investigation is continuing.