LEONARDTOWN, Md. (April 13, 2012)—The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office has released the following incident and arrest reports.
FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION: On April 7 at approximately 7:50 p.m., a 2002 Toyota Tacoma operated by David Michael Bell Jr., 22, of Leonardtown, was traveling eastbound on Medley's Neck Road near Tower Hill Road in Leonardtown. The vehicle left the roadway and stuck a dirt embankment. The vehicle rolled down the embankment, struck a ditch and overturned. Mr. Bell was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. Mr. Bell succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Members of the Sheriff's Office Crash Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. Speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information concerning this collision is asked to please contact Sgt. Edward B. Evans at (301) 475-4200 Ext. 9018.
FOURTH DEGREE BURGLARY: On April 6, deputies responded to a residence on Connelly Street in Leonardtown for a disturbance. Investigation revealed William Clayton Glenn, III, 38, of Upper Marlboro, entered the residence
of the victim. The victim and Glenn are familiar with each other, but Glenn did not have permission or the authority to enter the residence. Glenn was arrested and charged with fourth degree burglary.
SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT, DRUG ARREST: On April 7, deputies responded to a residence on Jennifer Street in Mechanicsville for a report of an assault. Investigation revealed Steven Wayne Sater, 28, of Mechanicsville, was engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim which escalated into a physical assault when Sater struck the victim in the face. Sater was arrested for second degree assault. A search incident to arrest revealed Sater was in illegal possession of suspected Percocet. Sater was also charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (Percocet).
VIOLATION OF PEACE ORDER: On January 19, Joshua Michael McGee, 24, of Mechanicsville, was served with a peace order ordering he not threaten or commit any act which would place the petitioner of the order in fear of imminent danger or harm. The order is effective until July 18. On March 30 the petitioner was driving his vehicle in the vicinity of Kelli Court in Mechanicsville when McGree stepped into the travel lane. McGee extended and raised his arms hands claps together as if he was holding a handgun. McGee then moved is hands 3 or 4 times making a motion as if a handgun was recoiling. McGee was not holding a handgun but his actions placed the petitioner in fear that McGee may to step into the path of his vehicle or throw an object at his vehicle. The victim called the police. A short time later, deputies located and arrested McGee. He was charged with violating the conditions of a Peace Order. Arresting Officer - Cpl. Somerville #78
THEFT, CONCEALED DEADLY WEAPON: On March 31, deputies were contacted by a cab operator from Annapolis Bay Area Cab. The cab driver reported that he transported Michael Thomas Budd, 59, of Edgewater, to an address in the area of the 28000 block of Point Lookout Road in Mechanicsville. The cab bill was over $500. Mr. Budd did not pay for the cab ride. The cab driver contacted the Sheriff's Office to report the theft. Deputies responded and located Michael Thomas Budd. Further investigation revealed Budd was wanted on several open warrants (3 for Violation of Protective Order and 1 for failing to appear in court). Budd was arrested on the open warrants and theft. A search incident to arrest revealed Budd was in possession of a cane which concealed a sword. Budd was additionally charged with possession of a concealed deadly weapon. Arresting Officers : Cpl. Milam #36 and Cpl. Carberry #167.
TRESPASSING: On March 31 at approximately 3:00 a.m., Deputy Teague located Mark Joseph Thompson, 47, of no fixed address, sleeping on walkway of Millison Plaza in Lexington Park. Deputy Teague issued Thompson a notice not to trespass and sent him on his way. On March 31 at approximately 4:15 a.m., Deputy Teague again located Thompson sleeping on the walkway of Millison Plaza. Deputy Teague issued Thompson a criminal citation for trespassing. On April 1 at approximately 12:15 a.m., Deputy Teague observed Thompson again trespassing on Millison Plaza property. Thompson was arrested and charged with trespassing. Arresting Officer: Deputy Teague #249.
DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED, WEAPONS VIOLATION: On April 1 at approximately 1:30 a.m., deputies responded to a single vehicle motor vehicle collision on Budds Creek Road at Chaptico Road. The operator of the vehicle, identified as Peter Allen Murphy, 31, of Mechanicsville, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol. Further investigation revealed a loaded .22 caliber handgun, register to Murphy, in the vehicle. Murphy was charged with possession of a handgun. Arresting Officer: Cpl. Milam #36.
WARRANT SERVICE, FIRST DEGREE ASSAULT, DRUG ARREST: On March 23, deputies responded to possible controlled dangerous substance complaint on Patuxent Road in Lexington Park. As deputies were investigating the complaint, they made contact with Turez Lydell Creek, 23, of Lexington Park. A routine check revealed an open warrant for Creek in Calvert County for failing to appear in court for non-payment of child support. Creek was arrested on the open warrant. A search incident to the arrest revealed Creek was in illegal possession suspected Oxycodone. Further investigation revealed Creek was also a suspect in a first degree assault investigation. The assault occurred on February 11 at a local hotel. The victim reported Creek pointed a shotgun at him during a dispute. The victim stated that Creek then used the butt of the shotgun to smash out the window of his vehicle. Creek was served with the open warrant. In addition, Creek was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, first degree assault and destruction of property.
DRUG ARREST: On March 23, deputies responded to a report of suspicious vehicles in a local bank parking lot in Hollywood. Investigation revealed John Patrick Norris, 27, of Hollywood, was seated in the passenger seat of one of the vehicles. As deputies were speaking with him, they noticed he was extremely nervous and evasive in answering questions. In addition, Norris reached into his pocket several times after being asked not to do so by deputies. For officer safety, a frisk of Norris's person was conducted. Further investigation revealed Norris to be in possession of suspected heroin. Norris was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, suspect heroin.
THEFT SCHEME: On March 23, Deputy Schultz responded to Checkers Restaurant in Lexington Park for a report of a theft. Upon arrival, Deputy Schultz met with the manager who explained that Checkers had been experiencing a series of thefts recently. The manager advised he placed cash in a purse and placed the purse in the back of the store. The money was marked with the word "caught." A short time later the manager checked the purse and discovered some of the money missing and called the police. Investigation revealed Joseph Deontay Jenkins, 18, of Lexington Park, an employee of Checkers, was in possession of the stolen cash. Further investigation revealed Jenkins had also stolen cash from other employees on March 17 and March 22. Jenkins was arrested and charged with three counts of theft and one count of theft scheme.
DRUG ARREST: On March 24, Deputy Ellis stopped a vehicle on Great Mills Road in Lexington Park for speeding. Samantha Marie Clary, 20, of Burtonsville, was the operator of the vehicle. As Deputy Ellis was speaking to Clary, he could smell an odor of burnt marijuana. A K-9 scan of the vehicle was conducted and suspected marijuana was located in the passenger compartment. Clary was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, suspected marijuana.
DRUG ARREST: On March 24, Deputy Schultz stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Three Notch Road and Corporate Drive. The operator of the vehicle was identified as Cory Rooney Jacobs, 32, of Lexington Park. As Deputy Schultz was speaking to Jacobs he could smell an odor of burnt marijuana. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted and revealed suspected marijuana in the passenger compartment and a marijuana cigarette in the ashtray. Jacobs was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, suspected marijuana.
FALSE REPORT: On March 25 at approximately 4:30 a.m., Cassie Jean Kuss, 29, of Leonardtown, called 911 to report she had been robbed by a man with a handgun. Numerous deputies and troopers responded to her location on Point Lookout Road in Leonardtown. Based on her report, units searched the area. Kuss stated she had exited her vehicle to vomit when she was robbed. She described a male suspect and stated the suspect fled into the woods on foot. Officer searched the area and a K-9 track was attempted. Inconsistencies in Kuss's story and the lack of evidence led officers to believe she may have fabricated the story. Further investigation revealed Kuss had not been robbed. Kuss was arrested and charged with false report of a crime.
DDACTS ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS CONTINUE: The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office continues to conduct traffic safety enforcement operations in areas of St. Mary's County identified through a Data Driven Approach to Crime and Traffic Statistics, (DDACTS). DDACTS integrates location-based crime and traffic data to establish effective and efficient methods for deploying law enforcement and other resources. Using geomapping to identify areas that have high incidences of crime and crashes, DDACTS uses traffic enforcement strategies that play a dual role in fighting crime and reducing crashes and traffic violations. Drawing on the deterrent of highly visible traffic enforcement and the knowledge that crime often involves the use of motor vehicles, the goal of DDACTS is to reduce the incidence of crime, crashes, and traffic violations across the country. (Maryland Department of Safety and Transportation Website)
On March 22, deputies conducted a DDACTS Operation on Great Mills Road (Maryland route 246) between Three Notch Road (Maryland route 235) and Chancellors Run Road (Maryland Route 237). As a result, 28 traffic stops were conducted resulting in 19 traffic citations and 12 written warnings being issued.
The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office will continue to evaluate crime and traffic data to determine the need for future DDACTS operations, as well as, other traffic safety and crime prevention initiatives.
MAN ARMED WITH A SHOTGUN: On March 12 at 11:22 a.m., police responded to the report of a subject armed with a shotgun making threats to cause bodily harm to himself and others at a residence in Leonardtown. The suspect left the residence in his vehicle and a lookout was dispatched to police units responding to the residence. The vehicle was observed by officers at a business in Leonardtown and contact was made with the vehicle operator, identified as James S. Gass, Jr., 20, of Leonardtown. Officers observed a Mossberg 20 gauge shotgun, several rounds of ammunition and CDS paraphernalia in plain view in the vehicle. Gass, Jr. was advised he was under arrest and became combative with the officers. Following a brief struggle Gass, Jr. was arrested and transported to St. Mary's Hospital for evaluation. Upon his release from St. Mary's Hospital on March 13, he was arrested on an open warrant charging him with Resisting Arrest. He was incarcerated in the Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner. Additional charges are pending a review by the state's attorney's office.
THEFT OF FLAGS: The Sheriff's Office is investigating thefts of American and Maryland State Flags. The thefts occurred in the town of Leonardtown, sometime during the week of March 4 though March 10. Anyone with information regarding these crimes or any other crime is asked to call Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333. Tipsters can also text their tips to "TIP239" plus your message to "CRIMES" (274637). Callers and tipsters do not have to leave a name, just the information. If the information leads to the arrest and conviction, the caller/tipster may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
ST. MARY'S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAFETY AND SECURITY FESTIVALS: The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office in cooperation with the Maryland State Police, St. Mary's County Community Alcohol Coalition Department of Natural Resources, Wal-Mart Motor Truck Association and the St. Mary's County Commission for Women participated in this year's community collaboration supporting safe and orderly schools. The safety campaign was coordinated through the high schools health classes. The goal of the Safety and Security Festival is to increase student safety awareness and enhance understanding regarding the unhealthy consequences of high risk behavior.
During the week of March 26 activities were scheduled at Chopticon, Great Mills and Leonardtown High Schools. The activities include displays, exhibits and interactive demonstrations addressing safety awareness and student support resources such as:
-- Don't Text and Drive - wrecked car display
-- Drunk Driving Golf Cart Demonstration and Goggle Activities
-- Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention
-- Gang Prevention
-- Bullying and Teen Dating Violence
-- Water and Boating Safety
-- Seatbelt Safety Check
-- Semi-Truck Safety - "Watch For Blind Spots"
In addition to the activities and demonstrations, student viewed a short documentary entitled "The Last Text" which was made available by the National Organizations for Youth Safety and AT&T.
"Prevention education is a continuous process. By working cooperatively with the students we help to provide a better understanding of some of the challenges they will face. It is our hope that through knowledge, family and community support the students will make responsible decisions and avoid unhealthy risks," said Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron.