PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (Dec. 22, 2014)—The Calvert County Sheriff's Office today released the following incident and arrest reports.
WEEKLY SUMMARY: During the week of December 15 through December 21, deputies responded to 1,521 calls for service throughout the community.
MAN WITH DRUGS, CHILD IN CAR ATTEMPTS TO FLEE POLICE: On December 19 at 12:14 p.m., Dfc. G. Gott initiated a traffic stop on a maroon, 2002 Ford Crown Victoria for not displaying a front registration plate. The vehicle was stopped on the St. Mary's side of the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge. When Dfc. Gott approached the vehicle he observed a young child in a child safety seat on the rear passenger's seat. Dfc. Gott also detected the odor of marijuana emitting from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Dfc. Gott asked the subject for his driver's license and registration then asked the subject to exit the vehicle. The subject attempted to roll the window up but Dfc. Gott stopped the window from going up and reached into the vehicle to unlock the door. The operator of the vehicle hit his hand to stop him from unlocking the door. Dfc. Gott saw the operator reach for the shift selector and pulled his hand out of the vehicle. The vehicle then accelerated and began to flee south along Rt. 4. Dfc. Gott returned to his vehicle and began a vehicle pursuit.
The vehicle made a right turn onto Patuxent Boulevard to Clearbrook Lane where he left the roadway and drove across a field for approximately 1000 yards. The hood flew up on the suspect vehicle obstructing the suspect's view through the windshield. The vehicle came to a stop approximately 15 feet prior to the edge of a cliff that dropped approximately 25 to 30 feet. The suspect then bailed out of the vehicle and grabbed an unknown item from the trunk and ran. The suspect left the child in the vehicle when he fled. It was initially thought the suspect had entered a nearby residence but it was later determined he fled into the marsh at the base of the cliff. Member s from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office responded to the area and assisted with attempting to locate the suspect. The 2 year old child was removed from the vehicle by members of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office Special Operations Team. The child was turned over to the Department of Social Services who will make the appropriate disposition.
The suspect was taken into custody on the point at the end of Deer Crossing Lane approximately 95 minutes after he bailed from the vehicle. The suspect had skirted the edge of the marsh prior to being located on the other side of the creek from where he had bailed. When deputies began looking at the suspect's vehicle they realized the vehicle was still in drive and that the reason the vehicle had stopped was because the emergency brake cable had broken which stopped the vehicle from moving. Located in the vehicle were four cell phones, a tablet, 8 bags of marijuana packaged for distribution and numerous other empty bags. The vehicle was stored by the Sheriff's Office.
The suspect was identified as Frank Richard Taitano, Jr., 22, of Lusby. Taitano is being charged with numerous traffic violations, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, child abuse, unattended child, assault on law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, hindering and failing to obey a lawful order. Taitano was transported to the Calvert County Detention Center where he awaited his appearance before a District Court commissioner.
THEFT OF MAIL CASE #14-70737: Someone removed a package containing jewelry that was delivered to a mailbox in the 12000 block of Settlers Trail in Lusby. DFC J. Denton is investigating the theft which occurred between December 10 and 17.
CDS VIOLATION CASE #14-70901: On December 17 at 11:44 p.m. Dep. T. Mohler conducted a traffic stop on Rt. 4 northbound at Auto Drive in Prince Frederick, on a vehicle suspected of being driven by an impaired operator. He made contact with the driver, Joshua Paul Porter, 39, of North Beach. Porter was found to possibly be under the influence of a narcotic. Porter was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and was charged with the possession of a syringe. Porter was also cited with numerous traffic violations, including driving on a suspended license and driving while impaired by drugs.
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY CASE #14-71193: Unknown suspect(s) caused $800 in damage when they scratched the paint on a rental vehicle parked outside a home in the 6200 block of Solomons Island Road in Huntingtown. DFC A. Woodford is investigating the damage that occurred between December 18 and 19.
THEFT CASE #14-71245: On December 19 at 7:52 p.m. DFC J. Hardesty responded to the Prince Frederick Walmart for the report of a theft in progress. Hardesty made contact with the loss prevention manager who advised he saw the suspect stealing items from the store. Hardesty contacted the suspect, Michael Joseph Bellini, 49, of Hughesville, who was outside the store at his vehicle being detained by Dep. C. Ward. Bellini was in possession of stolen clothing and suspected drugs, as well as a concealed weapon; a pool cue. He was arrested and charged with theft less than $100, having a concealed dangerous weapon, and CDS possession; Alprazolam.
Citizens with information on any of the reported crimes above, or any criminal activity in Calvert County, who wish to report it anonymously can now access the Calvert County Crime Solvers website via somd.me/calvertcrimesolvers. Information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect could result in a $1,000 reward.
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 .