LA PLATA, Md. (May 9, 2012)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office has released the following incident and arrest reports.
MAN INVOLVED IN BARRICADE IDENTIFIED: The CCSO has identified the man involved in the barricade on Pleasant View Place as Joseph Kendall Fryer, III, 44, of Newburg. Fryer died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound as officers attempted to serve him an arrest warrant at his residence on May 7. The
original press release follows:
On May 7 at 11:19 a.m., officers with the CCSO Warrant/Fugitive Unit were
attempting to serve an arrest warrant in the 10500 block of Pleasant View Place
in Newburg for a subject who was wanted in connection with two charges of
driving while impaired. As officers were at the front door of the suspect's
house, they observed the suspect and attempted to have him surrender, but he
refused. When officers attempted to go inside, they heard a gunshot. Officers
backed away from the door and quickly set up a perimeter. As a precaution,
Piccowaxen Middle School and Dr. Thomas Higdon Elementary School, which are in
the vicinity, were placed on a "shelter-in-place" status meaning no one was
allowed to enter or leave the building unless it was controlled by a sheriff's
officer.
The CCSO Emergency Services Team and a CCSO negotiator responded and attempted
to establish contact with the suspect. At approximately 2 p.m., officers made
entry into the house and found the suspect deceased from what appeared to be a
self-inflicted gunshot wound. A gun was recovered on the scene. The suspect's
name is being withheld pending notification to his next-of-kin. The
investigation is continuing.
DETECTIVES ARREST SUSPECTS IN BURGLARY: On May 4, detectives arrested two suspects in connection with a burglary that occurred in March. The suspects - a 14-year-old male and a 17-year-old male - broke into a vacant home in the 4800 block of Shugart Valley Place in La Plata and stole copper pipes. They were subsequently identified and charged with second-degree burglary, theft, and destruction of property. Det. D. Savoy investigated.
PATROL OFFICERS ASSIST IN APPREHENSION OF THEFT SUSPECT: On May 6 at 11:27 a.m., officers from the La Plata Town Police Department and the CCSO received a lookout for a vehicle wanted in connection with a theft that occurred at the Safeway on Shining Willow Way in La Plata. Officers observed the suspect's car on Crain Highway near Willet's Crossing Road and initiated a traffic stop. The suspect fled on foot and officers pursued but the suspect ran into a wooded area. A perimeter was established and a K-9 team responded. The suspect, Shawn Carnell Stewart, 40, of Hyattsville, was seen emerging from the woods and was subsequently arrested. La Plata Town police charged Stewart with theft.
OFFICERS APPREHEND ROBBERY SUSPECTS: On May 5 at 10:56 p.m., officers responded to the parking lot of the movie theater in the 11000 block of Mall Circle Drive in Waldorf for the report of a robbery. Investigation revealed the victims - a 21-year-old male and an 18-year-old female - were sitting in their car when the suspects approached, assaulted them, stole the female victim's purse and fled. Officers obtained a lookout and established a perimeter. Some of the suspects were located at a convenience store and a K-9 team tracked the other suspects to a nearby footpath. In all, eight suspects were apprehended. Julien Antonio Fort, 20, of Waldorf, was charged with two counts of robbery and two counts of assault and was remanded to the Charles County Detention Center. The remaining suspects, ages 14-17, were charged as juveniles with two counts of robbery and two counts of assault. The Criminal Investigations Division is investigating.
PATROL OFFICERS APPREHEND THEFT SUSPECTS: On May 5 at 1 p.m., officers responded to the CVS at 6260 Crain Highway in La Plata for the report of a theft that just occurred. A witness said the suspects entered the store and stole numerous items and fled in dark pick-up truck. A description of the truck was broadcast and officers observed the vehicle nearby. Upon approaching the truck, officers observed numerous packages of medicines and razors that had been stolen from the store. Jerome Kelvin Rustin, 47, and Ardie Dorsey, Jr., 47, both of Washington, D.C., were arrested and charged with theft over $1,000. Rustin also had an open warrant in Prince George's County for theft. The stolen property was recovered and the suspects were remanded to the Charles County Detention Center.
MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH: On May 4 at 7:06 p.m., officers responded to the area of Poplar Hill Road and Forest View Drive in Waldorf for the repot of a motor vehicle crash. A preliminary investigation revealed the driver of a Chevrolet Blazer, 42, crossed the center line and struck a Honda Accord. The driver of the Blazer was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. The five occupants of the Honda - a 54-year-old woman, an 18-year-old female, a 4-year-old male, a 3-year-old male and an 11-month-old child, were transported to various hospitals. The 18-year old passenger was admitted with serious injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation and charges are pending. Officer S. Stanley of the Traffic Operations Unit is investigating.