LA PLATA, Md. (April 3, 2014)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office released the following incident reports.
PHONE SCAM ALERT: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is investigating several reports of a scam in which someone is calling residents claiming to be a police officer and warns the person they have an unpaid red light camera violation in Charles County. The caller then tells the person a warrant has been issued and the only way the person can have it dismissed is to make a payment over the phone using a credit card. Reports indicate the caller is demanding and insists the person must pay the cost of the ticket immediately. In some cases, the caller told the person the citation was $259.76 and court costs were $238.00. In other cases, the suspect told people he would talk with his supervisor about setting up payment plans if they were not able to pay immediately. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office does not make phone calls regarding camera violations nor does the agency call anyone to make payments over the phone for any type of case. These calls are scams. Anyone who receives a call of this nature is urged to hang up immediately. Persons who believe they may have been victims of this scam are asked to call the CCSO at (301) 932-2222. For information about the CCSO Red Light Camera program, please visit our website at www.ccso.us.
DETECTIVES INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF SHOTS FIRED/CRIME SOLVERS OFFERING CASH REWARD: On April 2 at 10:15 a.m., officers responded to the area of Bannister Circle and St. Ignatius Drive in Waldorf for the report of shots fired. When officers arrived, they did not locate anyone who had been shot; however, they did find evidence that a gun had been fired. Witnesses indicated several people had fled on foot. While officers were canvassing the area, they observed a male running from them. They ordered him to stop, he refused and as the officers pursued the subject, he threw a gun to the ground. The subject was apprehended and the gun was recovered. Officers also located other subjects and are trying to establish their connection to the event. About three hours later, at 1:15 p.m., officers responded to the 3200 block of Greenwich Court in Waldorf for the sound of gunshots. Officers arrived and noted several bullet holes to a house and a car. Two men were inside, but they were not injured.
Detectives are looking into the possibility the cases are related and at this point, it does not appear the events were random. Additional patrols have been directed to the area and detectives are pursuing leads. Anyone with information is asked to call (301) 932-2222. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, texting CHARLES + the tip to CRIMES (274637) or submitting tips online at tipsubmit.com. Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.