LA PLATA, Md. (Nov. 24, 2014)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.
MAN CHARGED WITH STALKING, VIOLATION OF PEACE ORDER AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY: On Nov. 23 at 11:30 p.m., officers responded to the 3800 block of Light Arms Place in Waldorf for the report of suspicious activity. Investigation showed the suspect, Joseph Ernest Cooper, 44, of Waldorf was outside the house of a former friend. Cooper was in violation of a peace order and was not supposed to be in the area. Officers canvassed the neighborhood but Cooper was gone. Later, Cooper went back to the house and slashed two tires on the victim’s car. Officers responded back and canvassed the area. Master Corporal D. Belfield, along with PFC L. Blake and his K9 partner, began a track for Cooper. Officer H. Burgess located Cooper hiding in his car which was parked on Gallery Place. Two knives were recovered from Cooper’s car and a check revealed Cooper had several open warrants. Cooper was arrested and charged with stalking, violation of a peace order and destruction of property.
MAN CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE ASSAULT: On Nov. 23 at 2:23 p.m., officers responded to the 3000 block of Heathcote Road in Waldorf for an assault. Investigation showed the suspect threatened a female acquaintance with a handgun. Officers located the suspect, Michael Charles Latimer, Jr., 30, of Waldorf and charged him with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, handgun on person, firearm in possession of a felon. Officer A. Bringley investigated.
BURGLARY: On Nov. 22 at 8:57 a.m., unknown suspect(s) broke into a self storage lot in the 4600 block of Crain Highway in White Plains and stole numerous items. It appeared additional storage units were also tampered with but no one gained entry in those units. PFC J. Walter is investigating.
ROBBERY: On Nov. 22 at 3:31 a.m., officers responded to the 5700 block of Serenity Lane in Marbury for the report of an assault. Investigation showed a man and a woman were getting out of their car when they were approached by two males dressed in dark clothes. The suspects ordered the victims to the ground and one of the suspects pulled a knife. The suspects demanded money and the victims complied. A police K9 handler and his partner tracked the suspects to a nearby street but they were gone. Officers are looking into the possibility the suspects were breaking into cars when the victims arrived home. Officer J. Squirewill is investigating.
BURGLARY: On Nov. 21, between 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., unknown suspect(s) broke into a house in the 2300 block of Audrey Manor Court in Waldorf and stole a game system, money and a laptop. Officer D. Proctor is investigating.
BURGLARY: Sometime between Nov. 20 and Nov. 21, unknown suspect(s) broke into a house in the 4100 block of Arthur Ross Place in Indian Head and stole money, jewelry and a television. Officer C. Collins investigated.
BURGLARY: On Nov. 21 at 11:19 a.m., officers responded to the 4600 block of Hunters Ridge Court in La Plata for the report of suspicious activity. The homeowner advised someone opened the back door to her house but shut once they were discovered. Officers canvassed the area but no one was located. PFC J. Walter investigated.
ATTEMPT BURGLARY: On Nov. 21 at 11:45 a.m., officers responded to the 8800 block of Silverleaf Court in Waldorf for an attempt break in. The homeowner said someone knocked on his front door, but he did not answer. He then saw a man attempting to force his way inside through a back door. The suspect fled after the homeowner spotted him. The victim saw the suspect get into a dark-colored car, possibly a Nissan Altima. PFC R. Johnson is investigating.
COMMERCIAL ROBBERY: On Nov. 21 at 12:17 a.m., officers responded to the Dash In at 11290 Billingsley Road in Waldorf for a robbery. Investigations showed two males entered the store wearing masks. One of the suspects pulled a handgun and demanded money and cigarettes. The suspects fled and the clerks called police. No one was injured. Det. Wimberly is investigating.
BURGLARY: On Nov. 20 between 6:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., someone kicked in the back door of a house in the 8200 block of Cheswolde Court in White Plains and stole jewelry, cash, and shoes. Officer D. Proctor is investigating.
Charles County Sheriff’s Office to Begin Holiday Patrols
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office will begin operating under its Holiday Safety Plan starting this Thursday, November 27. The plan increases patrols in shopping centers and neighborhoods to prevent crime and help keep citizens safe. Officers will be in marked patrol cars, unmarked cars, on bikes, and on foot and will cover as much ground as possible.
In addition, students in the Criminal Justice Program at North Point High School and members of police Explorers Post 1658 will also help by participating in their annual Detect and Deter program. Throughout the next several weeks, the students, who will be in uniforms, will help canvass parking lots at shopping centers where they will pass out information about crime prevention. They will also take note of any valuables they see in plain view inside cars and send a note to the registered owner to remind them of the importance of keeping valuables hidden and out of sight.
The Sheriff’s Office is also asking citizens to operate under their own Holiday Safety Plan — one that emphasizes the importance of taking personal safety precautions and reporting suspicious activity. And, the Sheriff’s Office is offering the following safety tips:
When Shopping:
-- Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.
-- Park in a well-lighted space and be sure to lock the car and close the windows.
-- Hide shopping bags, gifts and other valuables in the trunk.
-- Don’t overburden yourself with packages. Make several trips to the car if necessary.
-- Keep purses close to your body and keep wallets in a front pants pocket.
-- Never carry large amounts of cash or count cash where others can see you.
-- Make sure any children you may be shopping with know to go to a store clerk or security guard if you are separated.
When Traveling:
-- Get an automatic timer for your lights.
-- Have mail and newspaper delivery stopped so it won’t pile up.
-- Have a trusted friend or neighbor keep an eye on your house, shovel snow and park in your driveway from time to time.
At Home:
-- When placing the garbage out for pickup, conceal boxes that contained expensive items — otherwise, you could be advertising what you have for burglars.
-- If you answer the door for a stranger who is seeking charitable donations, ask for the person’s identification and how the funds will be used. If you are not satisfied, you are not obligated to give. Learn more about charitable organizations from the Better Business Bureau’s Web site, www.give.org. Don’t feel obligated to answer the door if doing so makes you uncomfortable.
-- Take the opportunity to create or update your home inventory. Take photos or make videos of items, including descriptions and serial numbers.
Vehicle Safety:
-- Always keep windows up and doors locked, even at home.
-- Don’t leave your vehicle running to let it warm up. Vehicle thieves see this as an easy opportunity to steal a vehicle.
For Businesses:
-- Remind employees to alert staff and security of unusual behaviors.
-- Start and participate in a “Business Watch” program.
-- Watch for people hanging around before or after closing time.
-- Ensure employees are seen and can see at all times.
-- Keep window decorations below waist height and/or above head height.
-- Control the height of shelving units and displays.
-- Improve the lighting in shadowed areas.
-- Keep minimal cash on hand at each register.
-- Make frequent pickup/money drops during the busiest hours.
-- Place all money in a safe or locked storage cabinet until you are ready to count it out.
-- Never count cash in front of others.
-- Never make a bank drop after dark.
-- Alternate times and routes to the bank.
-- Don’t carry a bank bag in the open — conceal it in a shopping or grocery bag.
-- Take someone with you to the bank.
-- Ensure surveillance equipment is functioning properly.
For more information about crime prevention programs or to read these safety tips online, visit the Sheriff’s Office’s website, www.ccso.us.
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 .