Police briefs

Friday, Feb. 5, 2010

Truck theft alleged

St. Mary's sheriff's deputies reported this week that a Charles County teenager has been charged with theft and the possession of marijuana after a pickup was reported stolen in Charlotte Hall.

Israel L. Jett, 19, of Hughesville was released on personal recognizance after his arrest on the charges from the Jan. 26 incident.

The owner of the 1995 Ford F-150 truck left it running at the Exxon gas station in Charlotte Hall, sheriff's deputies report, as he went inside to make a purchase.

The truck was driven away from the business and went out of control, spinning into a field along Market Drive, sheriff's deputies report. Deputies James Maguire and Jean Vezzosi found Jett walking near the intersection of Triangle Drive and Golden Beach Road, and he was taken into custody. Suspected marijuana was seized during a search of the suspect, according to the sheriff's office.

Highway checkpoint snares violators

Sheriff's deputies report that they conducted a recent Sobriety Checkpoint operation along Route 5 in St. Mary's City, with Maryland State Police and St. Mary's College of Maryland's safety officers.

The checkpoint operation and "saturation patrols" carried out on Jan. 20 to spot impaired drivers and underage drinkers behind the wheel led to five DUI arrests, the sheriff's office reports, and three citations were issued to people under 21 in possession of alcoholic beverages.

The law officers checked the drivers of about 72 vehicles, and a Calvert man wanted for failing to pay child support was taken into custody, according to authorities.

JOHN WHARTON