LA PLATA, Md. (April 23, 2012)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office has released the following incident and arrest reports.
SHERIFF'S OFFICERS ARREST SUSPECT IN HIT-AND-RUN CRASH INVOLVING TWO PEDESTRIANS: On April 18 at 5 p.m., CCSO patrol officers responded to the Shell gas station at 6985 Indian Head Highway, Bryans Road, for the report of a motor vehicle crash in which two pedestrians - an 8-year-old girl and her 31-year-old father - were struck as they crossed the parking lot from the fuel pumps to enter the store. Witnesses indicated the driver of the striking vehicle fled after impact. Officers arrived on the scene and obtained a description of the striking car - a gray Pontiac. A lookout was broadcast and a Maryland State trooper found the vehicle on Thomas Drive, which is a short distance away. Officers continued canvassing the area and located the car's occupants walking in the parking lot of a nearby shopping center. Upon further investigation, officers learned the driver of the striking vehicle was Jonathan Laquan Bell, 26, of Washington, D.C. He was arrested and charged with numerous traffic violations including failure to remain at the scene of a crash. Bell was remanded to the Charles County Detention Center with a $100,000 bond. The injured child was flown to a hospital where she is in fair condition. The male victim was transported via ambulance to a nearby hospital where he was treated for serious, non life-threatening injuries. Cpl. R. Heishman, Patrol; and Cpl. J. Hopkins, Traffic Operations, are investigating.
VICTIM FROM SHOOTING ON KENT AVENUE IDENTIFIED: Charles County Sheriff's detectives have identified the victim of the shooting on Kent Avenue as Martin Hawkins, 32, of La Plata. On April 18 at about 8:30 p.m., officers were patrolling Charles Street in La Plata when they heard the sound of multiple gunshots. Officers canvassed the area and found Mr. Hawkins deceased in the 200 block of Kent Avenue. There is no clear motive at this time and detectives with the CCSO Criminal Investigations Division are pursuing leads. Anyone with information is asked to call the Charles County Sheriff's Office at (301) 932-2222. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or Text CHARLES + your tip to CRIMES or visit www.ccso.us to submit a web tip. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest and indictment of the suspect. The investigation is on-going.
APPLICATION FOR GRANT: The Charles County Sheriff's Office and Charles County Circuit Court announces it will apply for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Formula Program through the United States Department of Justice. JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multijurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment and justice information sharing initiatives.
Charles County is eligible for $54,141 through this grant, which combines the Byrne Formula and Local Law Enforcement Block grant programs to provide agencies with the flexibility to prioritize and place justice funds where they are needed most. The program allows states, tribes and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions.
The Sheriff's Office invites citizens wishing to make comments or review the Sheriff's JAG application to contact Karlee Adams, Grant Coordinator, at 301-609-3279. All comments should be made by May, 17, 2012.
ASSAULT: On April 15 at 8:51 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s Officer R. Walls responded to a residence in the 3600 block of Kempsford Field Place in Waldorf for the reported assault. The investigation revealed seven male suspects, who had congregated in front of the residence, assaulted the victim, a 47-year-old man, after he exited the residence and asked them to quiet down. The suspects then fled toward Alderman’s Place. The suspects were described only as black males wearing sagging pants. One of them was armed with a knife. Emergency Medical Services personnel treated the victim’s injuries on the scene. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-7777 or Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. Crime Solvers is offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest. Officer Walls is investigating.
THEFT: On April 15 at 1:30 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers J. Morales and R. Kimble responded to the report of a theft in progress at the Home Depot located at 12050 Jefferson Farm Place in Waldorf. When the officers arrived, the suspect was running from the store. The officers ordered him to stop but he refused. The officers ran after him and after a brief pursuit, they apprehended him on Calico Woods Place. The suspect was identified as Charles Stephenson Zimmerman, II, 28, of Waldorf. Further investigation revealed Zimmerman and Kentyra Yucinda Eboney Harris, 19, of Waldorf were involved in a theft scheme in which they stole items from the Home Depot and returned them for cash at a Home Depot in Alexandria, Va. Zimmerman was charged with theft less than $100, failing to obey a lawful order, obstruction and hindering an investigation, resisting arrest and two counts of a theft scheme less than $1,000. Harris, who officers arrested shortly after apprehending Zimmerman, was charged with two counts of theft less than $100 and a theft scheme less than $1,000. They were being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before a District Court Commissioner. Officer Morales investigated.
SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office’s Traffic Operations Unit conducted an Under 21 Sobriety Checkpoint between 9 p.m. April 14 and 1 a.m. April 15 at the intersection of St. Ignatius Drive and Bannister Circle in Waldorf. The officers checked all 388 drivers who passed through the checkpoint but focused especially on the 19 drivers younger than 21 years of age. None of the drivers were intoxicated but officers issued 11 citations, two safety equipment repair orders and a warning to drivers who committed other traffic violations. The operation was funded by a grant.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office’s Traffic Operations Unit conducted a commercial vehicle enforcement operation on April 13 between 8 a.m. and noon in the 11700 block of St. Linus Drive in Waldorf. Officers inspected 33 trucks, seven of which they placed out of service after discovering safety violations. The officers issued 11 citations and 12 warnings to truck drivers. The operation was conducted in response to citizen complaints regarding the trucks operating in that area. The Maryland State Police assisted in the operation.
BURGLARY ARREST: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Robert Wayne Davis, 22, of Welcome, for a burglary that occurred on March 16 in White Plains.
The investigation began when officers responded to a residence in the 8500 block of Robie Manor Drive for the reported burglary. The initial investigation revealed suspect(s) gained entry into the residence, stole various items and fled the scene. During the investigation, a witness reported seeing a red truck in the driveway of the residence. The description of the truck helped burglary detectives identify Davis as a suspect. Detectives later discovered Davis had sold some of the stolen property to a local pawn shop. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Davis and arrested him on April 11. He was charged with first-degree burglary and two counts of theft less than $1,000. He was being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before a district court commissioner. Det. D. Savoy investigated.
BURGLARY: On April 13 at 12:27 a.m., Charles County Sheriff’s officers responded to a residence in the 16000 block of Prince Frederick Road in Hughesville for the reported burglary in progress. The suspect entered the victim’s tractor shed and put two items, a battery and a radiator, into a pile. He fled the area before officers arrived and without taking any property. The burglary may be related to incidents that occurred the previous two nights in which the suspect(s) stole scrap metal and chain saws from the barns near the residence. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-7777 or Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. Crime Solvers is offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest. Officer P. Morgan is investigating.