LEONARDTOWN, Md. (November 22, 2012)—The St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) released the following incident and arrest reports. BCI is an investigative team comprised of detectives from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police, Leonardtown Barrack. The unit was established on July 1, 2003 and is based in Leonardtown.
HIT & RUN MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION UPDATE: On November 11, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office responded to Harrison Street in Great Mills and began an investigation into hit and run motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. The 65-year-old male pedestrian of Great Mills, who was struck during the collision was transported to the Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore with life-threatening injuries where he was listed in critical condition.
On November 12, the Sheriff's Office Traffic Safety Unit identified the striking vehicle, a Dodge Ram 2500 pick up truck and the operator, a 21-year-old male from Lexington Park.
On November 21, the Sheriff's Office was contacted by a representative of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore and notified that the pedestrian struck during the collision was pronounced deceased on November 21.
The investigation is still ongoing, and charges are pending for the operator of the striking vehicle. The Sheriff's Office Collision Reconstruction Team is consulting with the Office of the State's Attorney for St. Mary's County.
STABBING @ GREEN DOOR BAR: On November 17 at 1:46 a.m., police responded to the Green Door Bar located in Park Hall for the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival units made contact with an adult male victim who stated he had been stabbed in the side by an unknown person while inside the establishment. The victim was flown by helicopter to P.G. Shock Trauma where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. BCI was contacted, responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
A suspect was subsequently identified by detectives and on November 21 detectives located and arrested William J. Marko, 33, of California. Marko was charged with 1st Degree Assault and 2nd Degree Assault. Marko was held on a $10,000 bond.
It was further determined during the investigation Dana Dreher, 24, of Leonardtown, had provided false and misleading information to detectives during the investigation. Dreher, was arrested and charged with Making False Statements to Police and two counts of Obstructing and Hindering. Dreher was incarcerated in the Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
FIGHT @ ST. MARY'S LANDING RESTAURANT: On October 26, at 11:28 p.m., police responded to the parking lot of St. Mary's Landing Restaurant and Bar for the report of a fight involving three subjects. Upon arrival officers discovered an adult male victim in the parking lot suffering from a stab wound to the abdomen. The victim was flown by helicopter to Washington Hospital Center for treatment of his injuries. BCI responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.
A suspect was subsequently identified and on November 21, detectives arrested John R. McCollum Jr., 43, of Mechanicsville. McCollum, Jr. was charged with 2 counts of First Degree Assault, 2 counts of Second Degree Assault, 2 counts of Reckless Endangerment, Possession of Dangerous Weapon with the Intent to Injure and Disorderly Conduct. McCollum, Jr. was incarcerated in the St. Mary's County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER ARREST: On November 11, the United States Marshall's service conducted an investigation into the whereabouts of registered sex offender Michael William Loiacono, age 40, who was registered as a sex offender in Norfolk, Virginia. The Marshall's service tracked Loiacono to a Mechanicsville address where the investigation was continued by the BCI Sex Offender Unit.
On November 21, Loiacono was arrested after leaving the residence where it is believed he resides in Mechanicsville. He was arrested and taken to the St. Mary's County Detention Center where was held on a $3,000 bond. Loiacono also has an outstanding warrant in Virginia for a sex offender violation.
GUNSHOT VICTIM: On November 17 at 1:23 a.m., police responded to the area of Riverbay Town Homes in Lexington Park for the report of a subject being shot. Upon arrival, officers observed the victim, a 24-year-old male from District Heights suffering from a single gunshot wound. The victim was transported by ambulance to St. Mary's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. BCI was contacted and assumed the investigation.
BCI detectives attempted to interview the victim, however he was uncooperative and refused to provide any information regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Interviews were conducted with several residents in the area however no additional evidence or suspects were developed. The victim was treated and released from St. Mary's Hospital.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Det./Cpl. David Alexander at 301-475-4200 Ext. 1954.
BODY DISCOVERED: On November 21, police units responded to the Three Notch Trail in Charlotte Hall for a report of a deceased male lying on the trail. Detectives from BCI responded to conduct an investigation. During the preliminary investigation there were no evidence indicating foul play was involved. The deceased was transported to the medial examiners office where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. The Three Notch Trail has been re-opened. The deceased is not being identified at this time pending notification of the next of kin.
BURGLARY GETAWAY DRIVER ARRESTED: Between the dates of September 23 and October 30, patrol units responded to multiple daytime burglaries in the Mechanicsville area. The cases were reviewed during the weekly CompStat meetings and forwarded to BCI for investigation. An investigation by BCI detectives lead to the arrest of Ashley N. Smith, 25 of Mechanicsville, for her part in the multiple burglary's. Evidence obtained during the investigation indicated Smith was the operator of a motor vehicle which was used during multiple burglaries.
Smith was arrested, charged with three counts of 1st Degree Burglary, Theft under $1,000, Theft $1,000 - $10,000 and incarcerated in the St. Mary's County Detention Center under $25,000 bond. Smith was later released after posting bond.
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.