LA PLATA, Md. (November 22, 2012)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
DEATH INVESTIGATION: On Nov. 16 at 12 p.m., officers responded to a house in the 9700 block of Royal Oak Drive in La Plata for the report of found human remains. A preliminary investigation showed the residents of the single family house were cleaning out the attic when they discovered the decomposed remains of a newborn infant. The remains were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy; the cause and manner of death have not been officially determined at this time. Detectives are working on leads to identify the mother of the infant and the case is under investigation.
BURGLARY: On Nov. 5 at 9:25 p.m., officers responded to the 2500 block of Lisa Drive in Waldorf for the report of a burglary. The homeowner indicated an unknown person entered his house through an unlocked window and stole property. A short time later, officers received a call from a resident who lives in the 2700 block of Pinewood Drive who reported he had been asleep in his bedroom when he was awakened by a male suspect who had just walked in his room. The suspect fled after being detected. Investigation revealed the suspect entered the residence through an unlocked kitchen window and stole money. Officers conducted a search and deployed a police K-9 team. The scene was processed and evidence was recovered. Officer C. Collins and Cpl. J Burroughs are investigating.
OFFICERS RECOVER DRUGS AND HANDGUN: On Nov. 4 at 1 p.m., an officer initiated a traffic stop in the 2100 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf after observing a suspicious vehicle leave the parking lot of the Waldorf Motel. A computer check revealed the vehicle owner's driver's license was suspended. Upon stopping the car, the officer observed suspected marijuana in the car and an open alcoholic container. The occupants were asked to exit the car at which time the officer also found a plastic smoking device, a scale containing suspected marijuana residue, and a handgun. The driver, Scott Edward Jones, 19, of Silver Spring, and passenger, Zachary Wilbert Swann, 20, of La Plata, were arrested and charged with possession of a handgun. Officer V. Warker made the arrests.
MAN CHARGED WITH FALSE STATEMENT/EXTORTION: On Nov. 4 at 12:30 p.m., officers received a call from a Waldorf man who reported his adult son may have been kidnapped. The man said he received a text message from his son's cell phone number which indicated his son had been kidnapped and that the kidnappers wanted $2500 in ransom. The message went on to say the son would be harmed if the kidnapper's demands were not met. The man contacted police who initiated an investigation. Officers contacted the victim's girlfriend who told officers her boyfriend, Louis Harrod, 18, had been abducted at gunpoint the previous day. She told officers the alleged suspects threatened to harm her if she reported the incident. Officers continued investigating and learned Harrod might be at a residence in St. St. Mary's County. As they approached the location, investigators saw a male fitting Harrod's description exit an apartment - alone and unharmed. Detectives stopped the man and identified him as Harrod. Harrod maintained he had been kidnapped but escaped. Further investigation revealed Harrod had been at a relative's house the entire time and the report of the kidnapping was false. Harrod was arrested and charged with filing a false statement and extortion and remanded to the Charles County Detention Center with a $3,000 bond. Charges are pending against Harrod's girlfriend. The Criminal Investigations Division is investigating.
ATTEMPT BURGLARY: On Nov. 4 at 11:50 p.m., an unknown suspect(s) was attempting to enter a window of a house in the 900 block of Barrington Drive in Waldorf when he was observed by the homeowner. The suspect fled upon being detected. PFC K. Newman is investigating.
FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASH: On Sept. 17 at 5:03 p.m., officers responded to the 5100 block of Royal Birkdale Avenue in Waldorf for the report of a motorcycle crash in which the driver sustained serious injuries. A preliminary investigation showed India Elizabeth Dixon, 27, of Waldorf, was riding her motorcycle on Royal Birkdale Avenue when she lost control and struck a parked car. She was flown to a hospital where she was admitted with life-threatening injuries. On Sept. 20, Ms. Dixon died as a result of the injuries she sustained. Officer J. Garner is investigating.