Police briefs

Friday, Dec. 18, 2009

This activity report is provided by the Charles County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police as a public service to the community and is not a complete listing of all events and crime reported.

Washers, dryers filched from apartments

Between Dec. 12 and 14, someone stole washers, dryers and cooking ranges from several apartments under construction in White Plains.

Sheriff's officers went to the 11000 block of Monaghan Place after hearing about the theft at 7 a.m. Dec. 14. During the burglary, someone cut several water lines, which caused two apartments to flood.

Car hits building during Waldorf break-in

Burglars drove a car partially through the bay door of a Waldorf business Dec. 14 and stole automotive parts and tools.

At 1:46 a.m., officers went to R&H Paints in the 11000 block of Central Avenue after hearing about the break-in. In addition to the theft of auto parts, investigators found that a car had been stolen from the parking lot. The stolen car was recovered a few hours later in Anne Arundel County. Officer J.L. Clagett is continuing the investigation.

Man reports carjacking

A man said he was entering his car Dec. 13 after leaving the Pure Restaurant and Lounge on Crain Highway in Waldorf when an attacker walked up, showed a handgun and demanded his keys, according to police.

The victim complied, and the robber drove away in a white Nissan Armada. The victim flagged down police at about 1:57 a.m.

Teen injured in Waldorf shooting

Police are investigating a Dec. 13 Waldorf shooting that left a 17-year-old boy with a wound to his buttock.

At 1:08 a.m., officers working secondary employment at My Brother's Place at 3081 Old Washington Road heard gunshots as patrons were leaving the club. Officers canvassed the area and found the teen in the parking lot with a gunshot wound, police reported. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he was treated for an injury that wasn't life-threatening. A motive has not been established, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call detective S. Fetterolf at 301-609-6497.

Nanjemoy man charged with crack possession

Several baggies of cocaine were discovered in the mouth of a Nanjemoy man who was arrested Dec. 12 after running away from sheriff's officers, according to police.

At 11:19 a.m., a sheriff's officer stopped a car in the 100 block of Kalmia Court in La Plata. As the officer walked up to the car, the driver, Carlos Antonio Watson, 19, of Nanjemoy, jumped out of the passenger door and tried to run away, police reported. Watson was arrested a short distance away after a brief struggle, according to police. During the arrest, Watson put the baggies of crack cocaine in his mouth, but officers were able to get them away, and nine bags were recovered, police reported. Watson was charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.

Man shot during argument

A Bryantown man was charged with assaulting a 33-year-old by firing a shotgun during an argument on Dec. 12, according to police.

At 5:44 p.m., Charles County sheriff's officers went to the 6200 block of Sun Brook Place in Bryantown after hearing about a shooting. When they arrived, officers found the victim, a 33-year-old man who had gunshot wounds to his legs. Witnesses said Donald Jerome Butler, 52, of Bryantown was still in the area and was armed with a shotgun, according to police. Sheriff's officers found Butler a short distance away and arrested him without incident. Investigation indicated that the argument started when the victim went to Butler's house. When friends of the victim tried to get him to leave, Butler fired a shot toward the victim, striking him in the legs, police reported. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated for injuries that weren't life-threatening.

Butler was arrested and charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.

Detective C. Shankster is investigating.

Safe stolen from middle school

Between Dec. 10 and 11, someone broke into the kitchen area of Milton M. Somers Middle School at 300 Willow Lane in La Plata, and stole a small safe, police reported. Officer D. Kabala is investigating.

Two men arrested on drug charges

A state trooper arrested two men after smelling marijuana during a Dec. 11 traffic stop, according to a report. At about 7:20 p.m., trooper B. Sorenson was at southbound U.S. 301 near Washington Avenue in La Plata when he saw the driver of a blue Chevrolet Suburban fail to stop for a flashing red light, police reported.

After Sorenson made a traffic stop, he smelled marijuana coming from the Suburban.

The front-seat passenger, Tolonzo Stephen Rhodes, 25, of Capitol Heights, and the backseat passenger, Tony Keith Grant, 23, of Suitland, were arrested and charged with possession of drugs and paraphernalia. Rhodes was also charged with making a false statement to a peace officer. A database check on Rhodes showed he was a fugitive through the U.S. Marshal Service for failing to appear for a Washington, D.C., court hearing, according to police.

Fugitive charged with pot possession

Sheriff's officers went to the 16000 block of Hawks Nest Place in Issue at 9:10 p.m. on Dec. 10 after learning that a fugitive, David Vernon Farrell, was inside the home, police reported. Farrell, 37, had an open warrant for failing to appear in court.

After seeing the officers, Farrell tried to run away through the back door, but police apprehended him and discovered marijuana in his pocket, the report stated.

Farrell was charged with possession of marijuana and served the open warrant.

Officer W. Dennin made the arrest.

Bethany Rodgers