LEONARDTOWN, Md. (August 5, 2014)—The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
DOMESTIC ASSAULT: On July 28, Deputy Manns responded to a residence on Indian Bridge Road for a reported assault. The victim alleged suspect Michael Wayne Purks, 38, of Lexington Park, suffocated the victim with a pillow. Purks then allegedly threatened the victim with a handgun. Purks was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with 1st Degree Assault.
THEFT, FRAUD: On July 27, a victim reported he was shopping at Target in California when he believed his wallet fell out of his pocket. A short time later he received information on his smart phone indicating his bank card had just been used at the California Taco Bell. The victim and a friend responded to the Taco Bell and called police. Taco Bell employees were able to provide a description of the suspect who used the victim’s card. A suspect matching the description was subsequently located in the parking lot of the CVS on Three Notch Road. The suspect was identified as Thomas Daniel Chayka, 39, of Lexington Park. Additional evidence was obtained from Chayka and he was placed under arrest. He was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with Theft Under $100, Credit Card Theft, Receiving/Retaining Lost Credit Card, and Credit Card/Another Charge Under $100.00
THEFT: On July 30, Deputy Wesner responded to the Giant Food store in California for a reported theft. A store employee reported a black male suspect stole several packages of chicken before fleeing the area in a green Dodge Avenger. Additional police units responded and located a vehicle matching the description. The vehicle was stopped and the stolen chicken was observed in the back seat. The vehicle’s passenger, identified as suspect Joseph Dale Thomas, 55, of Lexington Park, was charged with Theft Under $100 by Criminal Citation.
FALSE STATEMENT TO POLICE OFFICER: On July 31, Deputy S. Cameron responded to a residence located on North Poteat Court in California for a reported burglary. The homeowner reported unknown suspect(s) entered his residence earlier in the day and stole an XBOX 360 and an XBOX 1. Later the same day, Deputy Cameron received information the report was false. He returned to the homeowner, identified as suspect Malik Isaiah Thompson, 24, of California, and was able to obtain additional evidence supporting the burglary report was false. Thompson was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with False Statement to Police Officer.
DRUG POSSESSION: On July 31, Deputy Krum assigned to the Lexington Park COPs UNIT, observed suspect Demetri Paul Brooks, 19, of Lexington Park, walking in the area of Eric Road in Lexington Park. Deputy Krum knew Brooks had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and attempted to stop him. As Deputy Krum exited his patrol vehicle, he observed Brooks drop 3 pieces of white paper on the ground and walk away. Brooks was taken into custody by Deputy Krum without incident. The 3 pieces of white paper contained suspected marijuana. Brooks was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with Possession Controlled Dangerous Substance: Marijuana Less Than 10 Grams and Possession CDS Paraphernalia.
DUI: Jason Jerome Harley Jr., 28, of Hughesville, was charged with DUI on 7-25-14 by Deputy Kerns.
DUI: Rosendo Alexander Funes Castillo, 36, of Hyattsville, was charged with DUI on 7-26-14 by Deputy Bowen.
BURGLARY: On August 2, Deputy Lance responded to a residence on Irvings Way in Callaway for a reported burglary. The victim reported his ex-girlfriend, suspect Katrina Marquez Corpuz-Post, 35, of Great Mills, began pounding on the front door of his residence and he told her to leave. Corpuz-Post then broke into the back door gaining entry into the home and struck the victim in the face. Corpuz-Post was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. She was charged with 1st Degree Burglary, 2nd Degree Assault, and Property Destruction.
DOMESTIC ASSAULT: On August 3, Corporal Kirkner responded to a residence on St. George’s Avenue in Piney Point for a reported assault. The victim alleged suspect John Francis Tippett Jr., 38, of Piney Point, grabbed the victim by the throat and threw the victim into an exterior wall of a house. The victim was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Tippet was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with 2nd Degree Assault.
DOMESTIC ASSAULT: On August 3, Deputy Murphy responded to a residence on Lawrence Avenue in Leonardtown for a reported assault. The victim alleged suspect Kathleen Marie Spalding, 53, of Leonardtown, assaulted the victim during an argument over the suspect’s continued use of alcohol. Spalding was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. She was charged with 2nd Degree Assault.
THEFT, RESISTING ARREST: On August 4, Deputy Schultz responded to the Best Buy Store located in California for a reported theft. A loss prevention employee observed a white male suspect remove an XBOX hard drive from the package and conceal it inside his pocket. He then exited the store without paying for the item. The employee confronted the suspect in the parking lot; however he fled in a vehicle. Deputies were able to positively identify the suspect as Benjamin Joseph Culbert, 24, of Great Mills, from surveillance footage. Deputy Schultz responded to Culbert’s residence in Great Mills and made contact with him. Deputy Schultz advised Culbert he was under arrest at which time he resisted. Culbert was taken into custody after a short struggle. He was transported to the St. Mary’ s County Detention Center and charged with Theft Under $1,000, Property Destruction, and Resisting Arrest.
THEFT: On August 4, Deputy Lawrence responded to the California Walmart for a reported theft. Loss Prevention personnel observed suspect Donna Virginia Jenkins, 46, of Ridge, attempted to exit the store with a shopping cart full of merchandise without paying. The total value of the merchandise was over $600.00. Jenkins was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. She was charged with Theft Under $1,000.
BURGLARY: On Aug. 4, a victim, who resides on Lockes Crossing Road in Mechanicsville, reported unknown suspect(s) stole several items of property from an enclosed porch and shed. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Pleisse. Case #42281-14.
BURGLARY: On Aug. 4, Employees of the miniature golf course located on Great Mills Road, reported unknown suspect(s) entered a storage shed and threw golf clubs and other items on the green. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Roszell. Case #42279-14.
THEFT: On Aug. 4, a victim reported a black male suspect stole her purse from her shopping cart while she was shopping at Kmart located in California. The suspect fled from the building and was not located by deputies. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Knott. Case #42322-14.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT FLY-OUT: On Aug. 4, Deputy Roszell responded to the area of Great Mills Road and Pacific Drive in Lexington Park, for a vehicle accident. The investigation revealed a passenger jumped from the vehicle while it was in motion after becoming upset with the driver. The passenger was initially transported by ambulance to St. Mary's Hospital; however the passenger was then transported to an area hospital by helicopter for precautionary measures. Case #42328-14.
THEFT: On Aug. 4, a victim, who resides on Woodburn Hill Road in Mechanicsville, reported an unidentified suspect stole her identification. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Phelan. Case #42288-14.
VANDALISM: On Aug. 4, a victim, who resides on MacAthur Blvd in California, reported unknown suspect(s) broke the outer pane of glass on two windows to the residence. Case #42291-14.
VANDALISM: On Aug. 4, unknown suspect(s) spray painted words and drawings on the playground equipment at Laurel Grove Park in Mechanicsville. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Gaskill. Case #42303-14.
BURGLARY: On Aug. 4, a victim, who resides on Liberty Street in Lexington Park, reported unknown suspect(s) forced entry into his residence and stole property. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy S. Cameron. Case #42348-14.
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 .