LA PLATA, Md. (October 12, 2015)—The Charles County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.
DEATH INVESTIGATION: On October 1 at 4 p.m., a corrections officer at the Charles County Detention Center observed a female inmate hanging from a bed sheet – which was affixed to a towel hook – inside her cell. Upon seeing this, the officer took immediate action by calling for assistance and medical help. The officer then swiftly removed the sheet from the woman’s neck. Medical personnel – who work inside the detention center – performed CPR, activated an automated electronic defibrillator and were able to bring the woman’s pulse back. Paramedics arrived and transported the woman to Charles Regional Medical Center where she was admitted in critical condition. On Oct. 4 at 6:22 p.m., the woman, Cara Rachell Dorwart, 27, of Waldorf died. She was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore where an autopsy will be performed. A preliminary investigation showed Dorwart was arrested on Sept. 29 for failing to appear in court on a theft charge; she was being held on a $5,000 bond. At the time of the incident, she was the sole occupant of her cell. Det. J. Elliott is investigating.
SHOOTING: Charles County Sheriff's detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred Tuesday, Oct. 6 at about 3 p.m. on a dirt path near Saint Pauls Drive and Allward Drive in Waldorf. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. A preliminary investigation showed a 17-year-old male was on the path when he was approached by two suspects. The suspects demanded the victim's bike. One suspect then pulled a gun and shot the victim in the upper leg. The suspects fled with the victim's silver and green BMX bicycle. The victim walked back to the roadway and flagged down the driver of an empty school bus who stopped, rendered aide and notified authorities. The victim was flown to a hospital and admitted with a non life threatening injury. Officers canvassed the area and detectives are working leads. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective J. Elliott at 301-932-2222. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. The investigation is ongoing.
BURGLARY/THEFT: On October 8 between 1:52 a.m. and 3 a.m., two suspects pried and kicked in a door of a detached garage in the 13000 block of Star Gazer Place in Waldorf. Upon entering, the suspects stole several guns. The suspects then fled on a dark green gas-powered golf cart that was also stolen from the residence. A surveillance camera shows the two suspects, one wearing all white with a hood over his head and the other wearing a white shirt, dark-colored skull cap and possibly jeans. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should contact M/Cpl. R. Heishman at 301-932-2222.
FIRST-DEGREE BURGLARY: On Oct. 8 at 12:50 a.m., officers responded to the 2700 block of Hale Court in Waldorf for the report of a burglary. Upon arrival, officers discovered that unknown suspect(s) entered the residence through a basement window after breaking it with a rock while the victims were home. The suspect(s) exited the residence through a sliding door in the kitchen. Nothing appeared to have been stolen. Officer C. Chamblee is investigating.
BURGLARY: On Oct. 5 at 3:49 p.m., officers responded to Charles County Auto Body located in the 4500 block of Indian Head Highway for the report of a theft in progress. Upon arrival, officers spoke with an employee who found damage to a fence behind the business and noticed a white Honda CR250 dirt bike missing. A review of security footage revealed a subject wearing all black clothing and a hooded sweatshirt displaying the words “Glory Boyz.” Officer L. Miles is investigating.
BURGLARY AND THEFT: On Oct. 5 at 7:30 a.m., officers responded to the 18000 block of Patuxent Ave in Benedict for the report of a burglary. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim who observed a subject leave the area of his residence carrying a flat object. The suspect ran and fled in a small black passenger vehicle. The victim discovered that the suspect made entry through a rear window and stole a 32” television. M/Cpl. R. Heishman is investigating.
THEFT OF RIMS AND TIRES: Sometime between Oct. 4 at 9:30 p.m. and Oct. 5 at 7:20 a.m., unknown suspect(s) stole 20 inch Bonetti brand black and chrome wheels with Nexxen brand tires off of a 2010 Honda crossover SUV located in the 4100 block of Bluebird Drive in Waldorf. Pfc. J. Fromme is investigating.
ATTEMPTED BREAKING AND ENTERING: On October 5 at approximately 12 p.m., officers responded to the 12000 block of Shlagel Road in Waldorf for the report of an attempted break-in. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim who observed an unknown suspect in his backyard attempting to gain entry into his secured garage. The suspect, who was approximately 6’0’’ tall with a medium build, fled towards the Pinefield neighborhood after the victim ran outside. No entry was made, and no items were stolen. Officer J. Micklus is investigating.
ROBBERY: On October 4 at 1:42 a.m., officers responded to the Dash In gas station located in the 11000 block of Billingsley Road. Two employees reported that the suspect entered the building wearing all black and a black ski mask. The suspect told one employee to open the registers, and when she complied he took the money from the drawers and placed it into a bag. The suspect inquired about the safe and, after the employees told him they were unable to open it, fled towards the car wash. There was another suspect waiting outside, also wearing all black and a ski mask, who fled as well. Anyone with information should contact Officer M. Hunt at 301-932-2222.
ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY: On October 3 at 9:45 p.m., officers responded to Goodies located in the 4500 block of Indian Head Highway in Indian Head for the report of an attempted armed robbery. An employee reported that an unknown subject entered the store displaying a black handgun. He yelled at the clerk, “Give me the money! I have a gun!” The clerk ran to the back of the store, and the suspect fled without receiving any money. The suspect is described as an African-American male, 6’0’’ with a slim build. He was wearing a gray sweater, dark blue skinny jeans, black gloves, gray shoes and a dark green Halloween mask with black Mohawk hair. Anyone with information should contact Pfc. N. Garner at 301-932-2222.
POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE: On Oct. 3 at 5:45 p.m., Officer A. Coulby was conducting an unrelated traffic stop when he detected the odor of marijuana from inside the subject’s vehicle. A search revealed the subject was in possession of marijuana, in an amount to indicate the intent to distribute, as well as a handgun. Andarius Ocyrus Conner, 19 of Waldorf, was arrested and charged.
ARMED ROBBERY: On Oct. 3 at 10:15 a.m., officers responded to Discount Tobacco Shop located at 3069 Marshall Hall Road in Bryans Road for the report of an armed robbery. The store owner reported that a masked African-American male, possibly in his early twenties with curly hair and a thin build, entered the store and pointed a handgun at him, demanding money and cigars. The owner complied and the suspect fled on foot toward the back of the Bryans Road Shopping Center. Anyone with information should contact Detective Celia at 301-932-2222.
COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY: On Oct. 2 at 6:01 p.m., Pfc. M. Kelly responded to Gallo’s Clothing in the 1100 block of Smallwood Drive in Waldorf for the report of counterfeit currency. Upon arrival, he recovered two counterfeit fifty dollar bills, at which time a lookout was given for the suspects and suspect vehicle. The vehicle was located in front of Shopper’s Food Warehouse and was occupied by two of the four suspects, who were then placed under arrest. A third suspect was located shortly after and placed under arrest. A search of the vehicle resulted in $4,800 in counterfeit fifty dollar bills as well as other evidence. Paul Dezoun Douglas, 25 of Waldorf, David Mathew Griffiths, 18 of Queens, NY, and Armanda Pizzaro, 22 of Winston-Salem, NC, were arrested and charged. A fourth suspect has been identified and will be charged at a later date. Pfc. M. Kelly is investigating.
BURGLARY: On Oct. 2 between 12:30 a.m. and 6 a.m., unknown suspect(s) broke into a garage in the 11000 block of Rest Drive in La Plata and stole four dirt bikes. One of the dirt bikes was recovered from a wooded area near the victim’s residence. Pfc. R. Anderson is investigating.
THEFT OF RIMS AND TIRES: Sometime between Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 2 and 6 a.m., unknown suspect(s) stole four 20” stock chrome rims with tires from a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado that was parked in the 2700 block of Pinewood Drive in Waldorf. Pfc. P. Alvarez 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://so.md/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://so.md/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://so.md/expungeme.