LEONARDTOWN, Md. (September 8, 2012)—The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
SEX ABUSE OF FOSTER CHILDREN: On July 13, a suspected child abuse was reported to the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) by a Child Protective Services Investigator involving alleged sexual abuse to a minor. The female victim disclosed she had been sexually abused multiple times from July 2010 until February 2011 while residing in the suspect's home as a foster child. The victim further stated she witnessed similar incidents involving the suspect and another foster child. The second juvenile victim was identified and interviewed. The second victim revealed she had been sexually assaulted by the suspect on multiple occasions while residing at the suspect's residence.
Following a joint investigation by detectives from BCI and the Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services, Lowell A. Johnson, 64, of Lexington Park, was arrested at his residence without incident. Johnson was charged with two counts of Sexual Abuse to a Minor and two counts of Second Degree Sex Offense. Johnson is incarcerated in the St. Mary's County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
SEEKING LEADS IN UNSOLVED MURDER: On August 24, 2011 at 11:38 p.m., police units responded to the area of Sell Drive, Lexington Park, for the report of a motor vehicle accident. Upon police arrival it was determined the operator of the vehicle, Deandre Agustus Hawkins, 20, of Lexington Park, had a gunshot wound in his upper torso. Hawkins was transported to St. Mary's Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. BCI is continuing an investigation into this incident. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Mr. Hawkins. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Det. R. McCoy at 301-475-4200 Ext. 9119 or callers can make anonymous tips to Crime Solvers at (301) 475-3333, or text a tip to "TIP239" plus your message to "CRIMES" (274637).
ATTEMPTED ROBBERY: On August 28, at 10:50 p.m., police responded to a private residence in Ridge for the report of an attempted armed robbery. The victim reported she exited her residence and was approached by a male subject wearing a mask who was armed with a handgun and demanded money and property. The victim refused to cooperate and the suspect fled the area in an unknown type vehicle. BCI was contacted, responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
Though the course of the investigation detectives developed a suspect and a search and seizure warrant was executed by members of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Team at a residence in Lexington Park. Property related to the incident was recovered during the search and two suspects arrested.
Benjamin D. Hebb, 36, of Lexington Park, was charged with Assault 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree and Attempted Armed Robbery. Hebb was incarcerated and is being held on a $20,000 bond. Bobbie Lee Coontz, 27, of Lexington Park, was charged with Accessory after the Fact relating to his role in the attempted armed robbery. Coontz was later released on personal recognizance by the District Court Commissioner.
FIRST AND SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: On August 30, deputies responded to Beach Drive in Mechanicsville for a report of an assault. Investigation revealed the victim was involved in a physical altercation with another individual when Nicole Lynn Pittman, 38 of Mechanicsville, stabbed the victim in the back of the leg with a knife. Pittman was arrested and charged with first and second degree assault.
ROGUE AND VAGABOND: On August 30, the St. Mary's County Emergency Communication Center broadcast a lookout for a suspicious person and vehicle in the parking of Lowe's Store in California. The suspicious person was observed driving behind the business and slowly through the parking lot. The suspicious person was also witnessed opening a door to a vehicle parked in the parking lot. He then entered the vehicle and looked around. Witnesses reported the suspicious person used his shirt to cover the door handle as he opened the door. The suspicious person drove from the parking lot prior to the deputy's arrival but was located a short time later and identified as Matthew Allen Prinsen, 26 of Leonardtown. Prinsen claimed to be homeless and provided several inconsistent explanations to deputies regarding his suspicious behavior or why he opened and entered a vehicle that did not belong to him. He was arrested and charged with rogue and vagabond.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT: On August 31, deputies responded to the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Bristol Avenue in Lexington Park for a disturbance. While in route to the scene deputies received further information that one of the individuals involved in the disturbance may be armed with a handgun. Once on the scene, deputies observed Calvin Eugene Shorter, 35 of Lexington Park, and Jacqulin Yvonne Marshall, 42 of Lexington Park, yelling and cursing obscenities. Their disorderly behavior was distracting deputies from their investigation and further attracting attention. Deputies instructed both individuals, several times, to stop yelling obscenities but they refused. Shorter and Marshall were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: On September 1, deputies responded to Mayfaire Lane in Lexington Park for a report of an assault. Investigation revealed Shawn Rex Wallace, 47 of Lexington Park, was engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim which escalated into a physical assault when Wallace slapped the victim in the face. Wallace was arrested and charged with second degree assault.
TRESPASSING, CONDUCT AND SECOND DEGREE ASSAULT: On September 2 at approximately 12:20 a.m., deputies responded to Valley Estates Drive in Lexington Park for a disturbance. Upon arrival deputies observed a large crowd standing outside on the street. Two individuals, identified as Jamarr Sherman Mackall, 21 of Lexington Park, and Sherman Sherwood Stewart, Jr., 26 of Lexington Park, were arguing and cursing at each other. Deputies instructed both individuals to stop their disorderly behavior. Mackall and Sherwood became involved in a brief physical altercation with each other. Deputies stopped the altercation and arrested both for disorderly conduct and second degree assault. Standing among the individuals on the street watching the disturbance was Darryl Darrick Edelen, 19 of Callawy. Edelen was told several times to leave the area because he was contributing to the disturbance. Edelen refused to follow the deputies' instruction to leave. He was arrested and charged with trespassing.
THEFT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE: On September 2, deputies responded to residence on Chapman Drive in Lexington Park. The victim reported he parked his vehicle, a red 1994 Ford F-150 pick-up truck, in his driveway and left the keys in the truck. Approximately one hour later he exited his residence and discovered his truck missing. A lookout for the truck was broadcast. A short time later the truck was spotted on St. Andrew's Church Road in California. Deputies stopped the truck and identified the driver as Edwin Rowe Kline, 33 of Lexington Park. Kline did not know the owner of the vehicle nor did he have permission to have the vehicle. He was charged with motor vehicle theft.
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: The Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police in Leonardtown are investigating several cases involving destruction of property to vehicles. On or about August 29, the victims were operating their vehicles in the area of Liberty Street, Pacific Drive and Pegg Road in Lexington Park when their vehicles were struck by projectiles believed to be fired from a pellet or BB gun. If you know who has committed these crimes or any other crimes call Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333. Tipsters can 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.
CAR BURGLARIES: During the overnight hours of August 27 through August 28, numerous vehicles in the Golden Beach area were burglarized and various items stolen including purses, wallets, electronic equipment, credit cards, money and GPS units.
Citizens must be vigilant and lock their vehicle even if the vehicle is parked in the driveway of a residence; remove valuables from the vehicle or place them out of site in a locked glove-box, console or the trunk of the vehicle. Lastly, please immediately report any suspicious vehicles and/or persons who do not normally travel through the neighborhood. If possible write down the tag number and a description of the vehicle and or/ suspicious person and provide that information to law enforcement authorities.
Anyone with information regarding these crimes or any other crimes is asked to call Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333. Tipsters can 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.
ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE CHECKS
On July 31 and August 1 the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator, DFC James Stone, conducted underage compliance checks at 43 local business establishments which possessed liquor licenses. During these compliance checks, underage informants entered random establishments and attempted to purchase alcohol beverages. The following ten establishments failed the compliance checks. In addition the retail locations were cited for sale of liquor to minors and will face possible fines and/or suspension of their liquor licenses.
1. Niko's Pizza and Carryout - 21600 St. Mary's Square, Lexington Park MD 20653
2. Stop'n Shop - 21036 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park, MD 20653
3. Monterey Mexican Restaurant - 22576 MacArthur Blvd, California MD 20619
4. The Coffee Quarter - 22576 MacArthur Blvd, unit 336 California MD 20619
5. Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar - 46370 Lexington Village Way, Lexington Park MD 20653
6. Boatmans Mini Mart - 41106 Oakville Rd, Mechanicsville MD 20659
7. Dave Mckay's Liqours - 37670 Mohawk Drive, Charlotte Hall MD 20622
8. A&B Liquor - 28260 Three Notch Rd, Mechanicsville MD 20659
9. Loveville Tavern - 28275 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown MD 20650
10. Toots - 23971 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood MD 20636
At Boatman's Mini Mart, the underage informant was originally denied the sale of alcohol by the cashier. While attempting to leave the business the informant was approached by suspect Tanya Anita Hall, 35, of Lexington Park. Suspect Hall offered to purchase the alcohol for the informant. The informant then gave Hall a disclosed amount of money and Hall entered the establishment. Hall then purchased an alcoholic beverage for the informant. The cashier acknowledged Hall was purchasing the alcohol for the same minor and sold the alcohol anyway. Hall was issued a civil citation for purchasing alcohol for a person knowingly under 21 years of age which carries a fine of up to $2,500.
Below is a list of establishments which passed the alcohol compliance checks.
1. Sign of the Whale - Lexington Park MD 20653
2. Corner Liquors - Lexington Park MD 20653
3. 2000 Liquors - Lexington Park MD 2065
4. Hermanville C-Store - Lexington Park MD 20653
5. St. James Deli & Spirits - Lexington Park MD 20653
6. Canopy Liquors -Lexington Park MD 20 653
7. California Wine and Spirits - California MD 20619
8. Bay Country Liquors - California MD 20619
9. County Liquors - Lexington Park MD 20653
10. St. Mary's Fine Wine and Spirits - Great Mills MD 20634
11. Twist Wine& Spirits - Lexington Park MD 20653
12. The Lexington Lounge and Restaurant - Lexington Park MD 20653
13. Nicolletti's Pizza and Sub Shoppe - California MD 20619
14. Park Sunoco - Lexington Park MD 20653
15. Tackle Box - Lexington Park, MD 20653
16. Peggs Road Shell - Lexington Park MD 20653
17. Lexington Village Wine & Spirits - Lexington Park MD 20653
18. Vino 2 Wine & Liquor - Charlotte Hall MD 20622
19. Cooks Liquor - Hollywood, MD 20636
20. Fred's Liqours - Charlotte Hall MD 20622
21. Big Dogs Paradise Bar & Liquor -Mechanicsville MD 20659
22. Big T's Crab Shack - Mechanicsville MD 20659
23. Lighthouse Liquors - Charlotte Hall MD 20622
24. New Market Citgo -Mechanicsville MD 20659
25. Ledo's Pizza - Charlotte Hall26.
26. Clarkes Landing Restaurant - Hollywood MD 20636
27. Third Base - Loveville MD 20656
28. Centre Liquors - Leonardtown MD 20650
29. Kevin's Corner Kafe - Leonardtown MD 20650
30. Olde Town Pub - Leonardtown MD 20650
31. El Cerro Grande Mexican Restaurant - Leonardtown MD 20650
32. Guenther's Fine Wine & Spirits - Leonardtown MD 20650
33. Back Road Inn - Compton MD
Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presumption_of_innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned.