LA PLATA, Md. (June 17, 2014)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
CHILD FATALLY STRUCK BY CAR: On June 15 at 4 p.m., officers responded to the 10000 block of Lyles Place in Waldorf for the report of a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Investigation revealed the victim, Nathanial J. Penn, 1, was struck by a motor vehicle that was backing up. The family of the child immediately took him to Fire/EMS Station 12 at Westlake where paramedics began rescue efforts. The child was transported to the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center where staff continued resuscitative efforts. The child later died as a result of the injuries he sustained after being struck. At this time, it does not appear that drugs, alcohol or speed were contributing factors. Cpl. J. Hopkins of the CCSO Traffic Operations Unit is investigating.
BODY FOUND IN RIVER THAT OF MISSING GIRL: On June 15 at 2 p.m., the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office were alerted by recreational boaters of a body located on the Charles County Side of the Wicomico River at 17400 block of Rock Point Road, Newburg. It was later determined the victim was Faith Lee, 11, who was reported missing on June 13 in Saint Mary’s County where it appeared she accidentally drowned after being pulled under water in a strong current. The body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore for an autopsy. The Saint Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office will continue their investigation.
FIRST-DEGREE ASSAULT: On June 17 at 2:20 a.m., officers responded to the 6200 block of Archdale Place in La Plata for the report of shots fired. The victim told officers Darren Richard Downs, 41, of La Plata, threatened him with a handgun during an argument. The victim was able to run from the house at which time he heard gunshots. The victim was not injured and called police. Officers arrived and observed Downs standing on the front porch of the house with the gun still in his hand. Downs was arrested without incident and charged with first-degree assault.
POLICE K9 OFFICER AND POLICE DOG RECOVER STOLEN COPPER: On June 13 at 11:50 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 14900 block of Foster Lane in Hughesville for the report of a theft in progress. Construction workers at this location observed a white male in the woods to the rear of the business; the man appeared to be moving copper. Upon being detected, the suspect fled. The construction workers attempted to set up a perimeter while the owner contacted the sheriff’s office. Investigation showed the suspect had moved unused copper piping from the rear of the business and placed it in the woods. It is believed the suspect was attempting to return to the business to steal more items when he was observed. The owner of the business reported that items have been stolen over the last week but this was the first time he called the police. Cpl. R. Cuyler of the K9 Unit, along with her K9 partner, Atos, tracked the area and recovered the stolen copper, valued at about $2,000, on Foster Lane near Gallant Green Road. Investigators are working to identify the suspect.
SUSPECTS CAUGHT BREAKING INTO VACANT HOME: On June 13 at 9:01 p.m., officers responded to the 9200 block of Rock Lynn Circle in Waldorf for the report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, officers found four subjects inside a vacant newly constructed home. The subjects were arrested. Further investigation revealed the suspects had drugs in their car. Officer D. Proctor is continuing the investigation.
THEFT: Sometime between May 13 to June 15, a Coca Cola sign was stolen from a 15 foot pole in front of a store in the 1900 block of Liverpool Point Road in Nanjemoy. PFC. D. Raby is investigating.
BURGLARY REPORTED: On June 14, a homeowner reported money was stolen from his home in the area of Woodland Drive in Indian Head. There were no apparent signs of forced entry. POI. J. Micklus is investigating.
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY/RRE: On June 13, someone discovered racial slurs spray painted on the asphalt of Chapel Point Road near Locust Grove Drive in La Plata. Officers canvassed the area and recovered evidence. Cpl. R. Snyder is investigating.
BURGLARY: Sometime between June 12 and June 13, someone broke into a business in the 14900 block of Woodville Road in Waldorf and stole about $10 in coins. Officer S. Hooper is investigating.
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: Sometime on June 13, unknown suspects threw large pieces of concrete through the front window of a building in the 12100 block of Rock Point Road in Newburg. PFC W. Halt is investigating.
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://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 http://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 http://somd.me/expungeme .