On the evening of February 5, deputies, Maryland State Police, Sheriff's Office Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator, Lexington Park COPs Unit, Leonardtown COPs, and the K9 Division responded to several locations throughout the evening regarding large, disorderly crowds. Several violations of drinking alcohol in public and smoking suspected marijuana were observed. As a result, several civil citations were issued and multiple arrests were made for disorderly conduct.
This is the latest in reports of large, unruly groups forming, typically generated after local bars close on the weekend. Business owners have stated that crowds become unmanageable for them and it's common for fights to break out. There are also reports of merchandise being stolen.
These crowds travel in packs of vehicles from business to business and are often observed driving recklessly and speeding.
These actions create a public disturbance and a safety issue for customers and employees. The Sheriff's Office continues to work will local businesses to alleviate the problem. Law Enforcement continues to TAKE ACTION against those who fail to obey the criminal and traffic laws, and the community can expect an increased police presence during these times.
Anyone with questions is asked to contact Sergeant Clay Safford, Lexington Park COPs Unit, at 301-481-9557 or Clay.Safford@stmarysmd.com.
IRS Scam Alert
The sheriff's office has received complaints of scam-artists calling local citizens and demanding immediate payment through credit card or bank account numbers for back taxes and late fees. The scammers, who represent themselves as IRS officials, frequently prey on elderly citizens.
If you feel the IRS call is a scam do not give out any information and hang up immediately. If you send money to the scammers, please report the incident to the sheriff's office at 301-475-8008. Otherwise, contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration—use their "IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting" webpage or call 800-366-4484. Report it to the Federal Trade Commission—use the "FTC Complaint Assistant" on https://www.ftc.gov and add "IRS Telephone Scam in the notes.
Here is a related bulletin from the IRS:
IRS-Impersonation Telephone Scam
An aggressive and sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, has been making the rounds throughout the country. Callers claim to be employees of the IRS but are not. These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. They may know a lot about their targets, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling.
Victims are told they owe money to the IRS, and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of business or driver's license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.
Or, victims may be told they have a refund due to try to trick them into sharing private information.
If the phone isn't answered, the scammers often leave an "urgent" callback request.
Note that the IRS will never:
1) call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill;
2) demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe;
3) require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card;
4) ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or,
5) threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
An aggressive and sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, has been making the rounds throughout the country. Callers claim to be employees of the IRS but are not. These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. They may know a lot about their targets, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling.
Victims are told they owe money to the IRS, and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of business or driver's license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.
Or, victims may be told they have a refund due to try to trick them into sharing private information.
If the phone isn't answered, the scammers often leave an "urgent" callback request.
Note that the IRS will never:
1) call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill;
2) demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe;
3) require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card;
4) ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or,
5) threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
Incident Briefs
BURGLARY: Between 1/21/2016 and 2/13/2016, unknown suspect(s) entered St. Michaels School in Ridge and stole an undisclosed amount of money.
BREAKING AND ENTERING TO A MOTOR VEHICLE: Unknown suspect(s) entered a motor vehicle and stole prescription medication and an undisclosed amount of cash on the 37000 block of Mount Wolf Road in Charlotte Hall. CASE# 8587-16
THEFT: Between 2/5/16 and 2/12/16, unknown suspect(s) stole the front registration plate from a vehicle on the 21000 block of Ricky's Drive in Lexington Park. CASE# 4628-16
BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence and stole property on the 45000 block of St. George's Avenue in Piney Point. There were no signs of forced entry. CASE# 8146-16
RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT: A victim reports hearing a single gunshot and then heard something strike their residence. Deputies responded to the scene and discovered a single bullet on the 44000 block of Buck Redman Road in Callaway. CASE# 8191-16
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT: Unknown suspect(s) stole a motor vehicle on the 45000 block of Catalina Drive in California. Deputy Lawrence is investigating. CASE# 8338-16
BURGLARY: Unknown suspect(s) attempted to enter a residence in the 38000 block of Golden Beach Road in Mechanicsville. Unknown suspect(s) entered a shed on the property, but nothing appeared to be stolen. CASE# 8355-16
For the latest Crime Solvers Cases, visit http://forums.somd.com/threads/306535-Crime-Solvers-Cases-St-Marys