Police briefs

Friday, July 3, 2009

Two women were charged this week with making a false report to a law officer in court papers alleging the suspects made an untrue claim in Leonardtown that one of them had been assaulted.

Adriane Jean Dupont, 20, of Leonardtown was released Monday on personal recognizance, and a judge ordered that day that April Marie Fodo, 19, of St. Louis, Mo., remain in jail in lieu of 10 percent of $4,000 bond.

St. Mary's sheriff's deputy Elizabeth Croyle responded Sunday to Dupont's apartment on Lawrence Avenue, court papers state, where Fodo told the officer that Dupont had been punched in the stomach by one of three males who tried to flirt with her. The deputy requested a police radio lookout for the three people described by Fodo. Upon further questioning, according to charging papers, Fodo "stated that the co-defendant told her to make up the story so that the co-defendant's fiance would feel guilty over an argument they had earlier."

Fodo was arrested, and the deputy went to St. Mary's Hospital to talk to Dupont, who charging papers allege provided a different description of the trio including the assailant, who she said had punched and kicked her while she was on the ground. Dupont also was arrested and taken to jail.

On Monday, Fodo said in court that she was visiting her friend in Leonardtown, and did not expect to be able to post the required bail for her pretrial release. "I'm probably going to have to end up staying out here until my court date," Fodo said.

Burglars steal $4,000 in coins

Maryland State Police report that one or more culprits broke through the rear door of a California residence last week and stole a plastic five-gallon bottle holding about $4,000 in coins. No arrests were reported from state police Trooper M.B. Adams' initial investigation of the June 23 incident at the home on Ann Lane.

Theft reported in Leonardtown

Two Honda all-terrain vehicles and a Titan generator were reported stolen last week from a residence on Whalen Road in Leonardtown, according to state police.

The loss from the June 21 incident was estimated at $13,360, according to a release from the initial investigation by state police Trooper J.S. Gibson. No arrests were reported.

Reward offered in probe of truck theft

Law officers in St. Mary's are seeking the public's help through the county Crime Solvers program in their probe of the theft last month of a pickup truck outside a residence in California.

One or more culprits stole the blue 1989 Chevrolet S10 truck with a white cap on June 5 or 6 from where its owner had parked it at Castillia Way, according to state police.

Citizens with information about this case and other crimes in St. Mary's County can collect a cash reward by calling Crime Solvers 24 hours a day at 301-475-3333. They can withhold their name and later collect their reward through a number-identification system.

St. Mary's County Crime Solvers is a nonprofit organization that assists law enforcement in solving open investigations that may not have been closed without the extra incentive of anonymity and an offer of a reward of up to $2,000, providing the information leads to an arrest or indictment.

The Crime Solvers board of directors meets for about one hour on the second Thursday of every other month at 7:30 p.m., in the conference room of the sheriff's office at 23150 Leonard Hall Drive in Leonardtown. To be considered for membership on the board, attend a meeting or call the sheriff's office at 301-475-8008. Contributions to the reward fund can be mailed to the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, Crime Solvers Division, P.O. Box 275, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622.

Police Tips Line open

Maryland State Police in Leonardtown operate a Tips Line at 301-475-2936, inviting anyone with information about a crime that has occurred, or they expect may occur, to anonymously report 24 hours a day to authorities. Citizens may use the same telephone number to report concerns to police that do not involve criminal activity.

jwharton@somdnews.com