LA PLATA, Md. (April 18, 2014)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
CRIME SOLVERS OFFERING CASH REWARD FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SHOOTING: Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect involved in a shooting that occurred on April 10 in the area of Trefoil Place in Waldorf. At 11:30 p.m., the victim was driving on Tawny Drive near Thistle Place when he observed a large SUV blocking the roadway and several people standing around it. The man maneuvered around the SUV and continued to Trefoil Place. Once he parked his car, the SUV pulled up and several males exited the vehicle. The suspects began arguing with the victim and as it escalated, one suspect pulled a gun and fired at the victim, striking him in the leg. The suspects fled and the victim was transported to a hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound that was not life threatening. Officers canvassed the area and detectives are pursuing leads. Additional patrols have been directed to the area and anyone with information is asked to call Det. Shankster at (301) 609-6513. Tipsters who want 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.
COPPER THEFT ALERT: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is investigating several reports of copper thefts in which suspects stole copper wiring from large light poles. The most recent theft occurred at a school. On April 16 at about 3:30 a.m., a patrol officer was conducting a building check at Westlake High School, 3300 Middletown Road in Waldorf, when he discovered someone had tampered with the light poles near the back of the parking lot. A closer look revealed the wires were pulled out of the pole, cut and stolen. Copper wires were recently stolen from two other schools and two businesses. Officers have been directed to increase patrols in these areas and residents are urged to report suspicious activity immediately.
Nationwide, copper thefts have increased significantly. Thieves target anything with copper including plumbing and copper components from heating and air conditioning units. Thefts can occur at any time of the day and at various places including vacant homes, occupied homes, homes under construction and businesses. In some cases, the suspects may appear to be contractors.
The theft of copper can disrupt the flow of electricity, telecommunications, transportation, heating and air conditioning, and could present a risk to public safety. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of individuals stealing copper and other metals. Tipsters may call 1-866-411-TIPS or provide an online tip to tipsubmit.com.
ADDITIONAL COPPER THEFTS DISCOVERED/CRIME SOLVERS OFFERING CASH REWARDS: As a result of a recent string of copper thefts from utility light poles, Sheriff Rex Coffey and district commanders directed officers to conduct property checks at area businesses and schools during the overnight hours on April 16 to April 17. Officers discovered wires had been stolen from light poles on Plaza Way, St. Patrick’s Drive, the Waldorf Jaycees, and at North Point High School. It is not immediately clear when the thefts occurred. “The most important thing people can do is to be aware of these thefts and to know that they are occurring at homes, vacant homes, schools and businesses,” said Sheriff Coffey. “Residents are urged to report suspicious activity immediately. In many cases, it may look like a person is doing legitimate work, they might look like contractors, but in some instances, they are not,” said Sheriff Coffey. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at (301) 932-2222. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.tipsubmit.com. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of copper thieves.
THEFT OF BICYCLE: Sometime between April 14 to April 16, someone entered an open garage in the 7600 block of Carley Drive in Port Tobacco and stole a 2010 Cannondale Ladies Petite Quick 21 speed bicycle. The bike is white and the word Cannondale is written in orange lettering on the side. The bike had a custom seat and custom handle bars. Nothing else was reported stolen. PFC. D. Raby is investigating.
THEFT FROM AUTO/DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: On April 16 between 7:50 a.m. to 8:25 a.m., someone broke the windows out of two cars parked in the parking lot of St. Ignatius Church at 8665 Chapel Point Road in Port Tobacco and stole a purse from one vehicle. Witnesses described seeing a white, low rider type of pick-up truck parked in the rear of the parking lot when they arrived for services. Two white males in their twenties were in the truck. The truck was gone when church let out. It is not clear if those men were involved in the theft. PFC M. Hancock is investigating.
CRIME SOLVERS OFFERING REWARD FOR INFORMATION IN ROBBERY CASE: Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for information leading to the identity of the suspect involved in the robbery of an employee of the Pizza Hut in the 3200 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf. On March 19 at 9:50 a.m., a male suspect approached an employee who was exiting the business with a bank deposit bag. The suspect showed a gun and demanded the bag. The victim complied and the suspect fled. The suspect was described as a black male, late twenties, 6’1”, medium build, wearing a black hooded jacket, black pants, and a black ski mask. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. A. Celia at (301) 609-6518. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or submit a tip online at www.tipsubmit.com.
MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF DRUGS: On April 12 at 9:15 p.m., officers received information that Charles Innis Garber, 35, of Virginia was at a house in the 13000 block of Hill Road in Cobb Island and was possibly in possession of a gun. Officers also learned Garber had an open warrant for failing to appear in court. Officers found Garber at the house and discovered a knife in his waist band. They also found a small wooden block in Garber’s shoe which contained a device used for smoking methamphetamine and a separate smaller capsule with methamphetamine residue. Garber was arrested and charged with possession of drugs. Cpl. C. Long investigated.
CRIME SOLVERS FUGITIVE FRIDAY CASE: Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Nicole Marie Fant, 28, of St. Leonard. Fant currently has an outstanding warrant charging her with failing to appear in court in November on a theft charge. She is 5’5” 160 lbs., and has brown hair and green eyes. Investigators did receive information Fant may be staying in Benedict.
Anyone with information about Nicole Fant’s whereabouts is asked not to approach her but rather call the CCSO Warrant Unit at (301) 932-2222. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to her arrest. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or Text CHARLES + your tip to CRIMES or visit www.ccso.us to submit a web tip. For additional information about Crime Solvers see www.charlescountycrimesovlers.com.
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: somd.me/presumed-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. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at somd.me/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at somd.me/expungeme .