LEONARDTOWN, Md. (Sept. 30, 2014)—The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
UPDATE: ROBBERY OF ELDERLY WOMAN IN TOWN CREEK: Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division executed a search and seizure warrant in reference to the Sept. 4 robbery of a 95 year-old woman in Town Creek at a residence in Charles County belonging to one of the suspects charged with the robbery. Additional property, which had been stolen during the robbery, was recovered from the residence. Several of the stolen items belonged to the victim's late husband and had enormous sentimental value.
"We could never take away what happened to these two innocent victims, but we hope getting important items back for them helps them move forward. Detectives working the case, felt strongly about recovering the property stolen from the 95 year-old victim. Some of these items belonged to her husband and could never be replaced. Detectives work hard to close every case assigned to them, however there is a certain amount of extra job satisfaction when suspects like these are put in jail and we can return important personal property to the victims."—Captain Terry L. Black, Commander, Criminal Investigations Division.
1st DEGREE ASSAULT: On September 29, Corporal O’Connor responded to a residence on Heather Street in Great Mills for a reported stabbing. Corporal O’Connor observed a wound on the victim’s arm consistent with having been cut with a sharp object; however the victim was initially uncooperative. Further investigation revealed the victim and suspect, identified as Felix Alexander Gillis, 34, of Great Mills, were arguing when the victim threw a can of wood stain at Gillis. Gillis allegedly then attacked the victim, cutting the victim on the arm with a knife. Gillis was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with 1st and 2nd Degree Assault.
1st DEGREE ASSAULT: On September 30, Deputy Lawrence responded to Bridgette Lane in Lexington Park for a reported assault. The investigation revealed suspect Frankie Lee Russell, 18, of California, started a fight with two victims. Russell produced a knife during the fight and cut one of the victim’s on the hand. He swung the knife at the second victim, cutting him on the chest. Russell was placed under arrest and charged with 2 counts of 1st Degree Assault and 2 COUNTS of 2nd Degree Assault.
DOMESTIC ASSAULT, CHILD ABUSE: On September 24, Deputy Potter responded to a residence on Oliver Court in Great Mills for a reported domestic assault. The victim alleged suspect Derek Ramon Smith, 43, of Great Mills, grabbed the victim’s wrist during an argument. Smith then struck a juvenile victim in the face with his fist. The juvenile victim had fresh evidence of injury. Smith was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with Child Abuse Assault 2nd Degree, 2 counts 2nd Degree Assault.
ESCAPE: On September 19, Corporal Smolarsky charged Britain Jeremy Gill, 26, of St. Inigoes, for escape. Gill was ordered to turn himself in on Sept. 18 to serve a 2 day sentence and failed to do so. Gill was incarcerated at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center.
VIOLATION PROTECTIVE ORDER: On September 28, Corporal Connelly was assisting another deputy with an unrelated investigation when he observed suspect Joseph Anthony Falcone, 34, of Colonial Beach, standing near the victim. Corporal Connelly subsequently determined there was an active protective order against Falcone preventing contact with the victim. Falcone was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with Violation of Protective Order.
ASSAULT: On September 26, Corporal Kirkner responded to a residence in the 48000 block of Spring Ridge Road in Lexington Park for a reported assault. The victim alleged suspect Craig W. Norton, 43, of Lexington Park, grabbed the victim by the throat during an argument. The victim had fresh evidence of injury. Norton was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with 2nd Degree Assault.
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT: On September 26, Deputy Potter made contact with a victim who advised her vehicle, (2010 white Nissan Altima), had been repossessed on 9-25-14. On 9-26-14, the victim’s daughter saw the vehicle being driven on Willows Road in Lexington Park. Therefore, the victim believed her vehicle had been stolen. Deputy Potter subsequently located and stopped the vehicle in the area of Adkins Road. The vehicle was being operated by suspect Carey Holmes Bowen, 38, of Piney Point, and the passenger was identified as suspect Martin Roland Abell, 38, of Valley Lee. The investigation revealed Bowen’s fiancé works for ADP Recovery, which repossessed the vehicle. Bowen obtained the key to the vehicle and began driving it without permission. Bowen and Abell were placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. Bowen was charged with Theft 10,000 to 100,000, Theft under 1,000, Motor Vehicle Unlawful Taking, Theft of Motor Vehicle, and Rogue and Vagabond. Abell was charged with Theft 10,000 to 100,000 and Motor Vehicle Unlawful Taking.
Incident Briefs
9/23/2014 VANDALISM: 8 victims, who reside in the Pickett's Harbor Court subdivision, reported unknown suspect(s) spray painted their vehicles. Cases remain open. Case#50790-14.
9/23/2014 FRAUD: A victim, who resides on Ritz Drive in Lexington Park, reported unknown suspect(s) made fraudulent purchases on her bank account. Case remains open. Case #51069-14.
9/25/2014 BURGLARY: A victim, who resides on Barton Street in Mechanicsville, reported unknown suspect(s) entered hi residence and stole property. Case remains open. Case #51484-14.
9/25/2014 FRAUD: A victim, who resides on Ventura Way, reported unknown suspect(s) fraudulently withdrew money from his bank account. Case remains open. Case #51322-14.
9/26/2014 ATTEMPTED BURGLARY: A victim, who resides on the 18000 block of Three Notch Road, reported unknown suspect(s) attempted to make entry into her residence through a bedroom window. Case remains open and is assigned to DFC Knott. Case #51506-14.
9/26/2014 BURGLARY: A victim, who resides on Holly Lane in Mechanicsville, reported unknown suspect(s) entered his unlocked shed and stole property. Case remains open. Case 51517-14.
9/26/2014 BURGLARY: A victim, who resides on North Sandgates Road, reported unknown suspect(s) entered unlocked porch and stole property. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Murphy.
9/26/2014 BURGLARY: A victim, who resides on Zane Court in Mechanicsville, reported unknown suspect(s) entered her residence and stole property. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Murphy. Case #51678-14.
9/27/2014 BURGLARY: A victim, who resides on Liberty Street in Lexington Park, reported unknown suspect(s) entered his residence and stole property. Case remains open and is assigned to DFC Foor. Case #51822-14.
9/27/2014 ROBBERY: A victim reported he was walking on Clarke's Landing Road, when two suspects assaulted him and stole personal property. One of the suspects brandished a knife during the incident. Case remains open, forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Division. Case #51862-14.
9/28/2014 BURGLARY MOTOR VEHICLE: A victim, who resides on Woodmont Drive in Leonardtown, reported unknown suspect(s) entered his unlocked vehicle and stole property. Case remains open. Case #52118-14.
9/28/2014 BURGLARY: A victim, who resides on Lawrence Avenue in Leonardtown, reported unknown suspect(s) forced entry into her home and stole property. Case remains open and is assigned to Corporal Reppel. Case #52059-14.
9/28/2014 THEFT: A complainant reported unknown suspect(s) stole US currency from the offering basket while the South Point Church was conducting services at the Leonardtown High School building. Case remains open. Case #52124-14.
9/29/2014 BURGLARY: A victim, who resides on Norris Road, reported unknown suspect(s) forcefully entered his shed and stole property. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Cole. Case #52149-14.
9/30/2014 BURGLARY: Deputy Phelan responded to a residence on Pope Street in Leonardtown. A victim reported unknown suspect(s) made entry into his residence and stole property. Case remains open. Case #52370-14.
DUI Arrests
Zackery Ryan Vanbuskirk, 25, of Brandywine, 9/20/2014 by Corporal Handy
Michael Harrison Mellinger, 23, of Lexington Park, 9/23/2014 by Deputy Potter
Jennifer Lynn Falcone, 31, of Port Tobacco, 9/24/2014 by Deputy Schultz
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 .