K9 Bruno Receives Meritorious Action Award

On August 27, 2014, Sheriff Tim Cameron and the men and women of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office were proud to present Corporal Shawn Cathcart with a Sheriff's Salute and K9 Bruno with a Meritorious Action Award for their courageous actions in apprehending a violent suspect.

"On April 25, 2014, Corporal Shawn Cathcart and K9 Bruno were requested to assist the Maryland State Police with a vehicle pursuit. The suspect had an extensive violent criminal history and was believed to be under the influence of PCP. After the vehicle was disabled, the suspect refused all commands and K9 Bruno was sent to make the apprehension. The suspect kicked Bruno so forcefully in the head that he flipped backwards in the air and landed on his back. After Tasers failed to subdue the suspect, Bruno re-engaged and was violently kicked in the head a second time. Despite being kicked repeatedly, Bruno fearlessly engaged the suspect a third time holding him by the lower leg until he was handcuffed and in custody. K9 Bruno performed admirably, reverting to training while putting fear of injury aside and the sense of duty first" - Sheriff Tim Cameron.

This is the first time in the history of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office a K9 has been awarded a Meritorious Action Award.

Do you know this FRAUD SUSPECT?

Mechanicsville, Maryland - Between 7-17-14 and 7-24-14, the unidentified suspect (pictured below) used a victim's debit card number to make fraudulent purchases in Anne Arundel and Montgomery Counties in Maryland.   

 

 

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect or about this crime in general is asked to call Detective M. Green at 301.475.4200 X 1996. Case #39917-14

 

St. Mary’s County CRIME SOLVERS offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary's County that leads to an arrest or indictment. Callers can call CRIME SOLVERS at 301.475.3333, (callers can remain anonymous), or text a tip to "TIP239" plus your message to '"CRIMES" (274637).  

Elderly Female Robbed at Gunpoint

 

Lexington Park, Maryland - On September 4, 2014 at 3:10 AM, Sheriff’s Office patrol units responded to a private residence on Town creek Dr., for a reported Burglary which had just occurred.  Deputies determined three suspects, dressed in all black clothing and wearing masks had entered an occupied residence through a window.  One of the suspects was armed with a handgun. Once inside, the suspects tied the victim’s hands and feet together and stole personal items from the residence before fleeing the scene. One of the victim's was able to free herself and call 9 1 1. A second elderly female victim was transported to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for precautionary reasons and was not injured in the incident. 

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division responded to the residence and assumed the investigation. Additional details will be released as they are developed. 

 

Detectives are asking anyone with information about this crime to contact CRIME SOLVERS at 301.475.3333, (callers can remain anonymous), or text a tip to "TIP239" plus your message to '"CRIMES" (274637).  

 

Captain Terry L. Black
Commander
Criminal Investigations Division
301-475-4200 Ext. 1925

LOCATED: John Drew Busler

John Busler was located in Calvert County and is in custody.

WANTED: LOCATED John Drew Busler JR. - Threat of Arson

Busler has been located and is in custody.

WANTED

John Drew Busler JR.

DOB 11-24-87

6'02" height/185 weight

NO FIXED ADDRESS

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance regarding the whereabouts of John Drew Busler JR. Busler is WANTED for THREAT OF ARSON. SMCSO is holding an active warrant for his arrest.

Anyone with information on the location of Busler or if you see him please call SMCSO at 301.475.8008. DO NOT APPROACH Busler and call police. You may also call CRIME SOLVERS at 301.475.3333, (callers can remain anonymous), or text a tip to "TIP239" plus your message to '"CRIMES" (274637).  

Arrests 8-22-14 to 8-31-14

ASSAULT - On August 22, 2014, Deputy Steinbach responded to Abell's Tavern located in Callaway, for a reported assault. The investigation revealed suspect Charles Patrick Balsbaugh, 28, of Valley Lee, assaulted 2 female victims and 1 male victim during an argument inside the bar. Balsbaugh was located and placed under arrest. He was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center and charged with 3 COUNTS of 2nd Degree Assault.

Charles Balsbaugh

ASSAULT/FALSE IMPRISONMENT - On August 23, 2014, DFC T. Snyder responded to a residence on Liberty Street in Lexington Park as a conservator of the peace while the victim retrieved belongings. Once at the residence, the victim reported suspect Christopher Michael Gains, 33, of Lexington Park, struck the victim in the head, arms, and legs. Gains refused to let the victim leave. The victim was eventually able to leave, however Gains followed. Once at a neighbor's door, the victim quickly entered the residence and closed the door before Gains could enter. The victim then called 9 1 1. DFC Snyder located Gains and placed him under arrest. He was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center and charged with 2nd Degree Assault and False Imprisonment. Case #45626-14

Christopher Gains

DOMESTIC ASSAULT - On August 24, 2014, Deputy LaFave responded to a residence on Lee Drive in Lexington Park, for a reported assault. The victim alleged suspect Francie Demitris Kelly, 52, of Lexington Park, struck the victim in the face with a coffee cup. Kelly was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center. She was charged with 2nd Degree Assault. Case #45796-14

Francie Kelly

1ST DEGREE ASSAULT - On August 24, 2014, Deputy Tirpak responded to a residence on Halsey Court for a reported assault with a knife. The victim alleged suspect Cornelius nmn Fenwick, 37, of California, chased the victim with a knife. Fenwick dropped the knife and drug the victim into a bedroom. He then held the victim down and cut off the victim's hair with scissors. The victim sustained visible injuries while trying to stop him. The victim was able to get away and flee from the residence to a neighbor's home and call 9 1 1. The victim alleged Fenwick bit the victim on the chin during a fight the night before. Deputy Tirpak observed the bite mark on the victim's face and fresh injuries from the recent assault. Fenwick was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center. He was charged with 1st Degree Assault and 2 COUNTS of 2nd Degree Assault. Case #45694-14

Cornelius Fenwick

VIOLATION PROTECTIVE ORDER - On August 26, 2014, Deputy Foor responded to a residence in the 40000 block of New Market Turner Road for a protective order violation. The suspect, Phillip Randolph Adams, 35, of Mechanicsville, was located on the victim's property in violation of an active protective order. Adams was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center. He was charged with the protective order violation.

Phillip Adams

DOMESTIC ASSAULT - On August 31, 2014, Deputy Logue responded to a residence on Governor's Court in Great Mills, for a reported assault. The victim alleged Kristin Elisa Morris, 31, of Great Mills, struck the victim in the eye with a fist during an argument. Deputy Logue observed fresh injury on the victim's face. Morris was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center. She was charged with 2nd Degree Assault. Case #46857-14 

Kristin Morris

 

 

 

DUI Arrests

 

Mary Catherine Russo,  , of Mechanicsville, 8-11-14 by Corporal Watters NP

 

George Phillip Conley JR., , of Great Mills, 8-14-14 by Deputy LaFave NP

 

Christine Lee Mallory, , of Montgomery Village, MD, 8-15-14 by Corporal Kirkner NP

 

David Jerome Ransome, , of Great Mills, 8-17-14 by Corporal Kirkner

David Ransome

 

Incident Briefs 9-3-14

9-2-14 BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE - A victim, who resides on Morning Dew Lane, reported unknown suspect(s) entered her vehicle and stole her handbag. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Roszell. Case #47126-14

9-3-14 BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE - A victim, who resides on Hilton Drive, reported unknown suspect(s) entered her unlocked vehicle and stole property. Case remains open and is assigned to Corporal Corcoran. Case #47267-14

9-3-14 BURGLARY TO MOTOR VEHICLE -  A victim, who resides on Morning Dew Lane, reported unknown suspect(s) entered his unlocked vehicle and stole property. Case remains open and is assigned to Corporal Corcoran. Case #47290-14

Sobriety Checkpoint Results

Leonardtown, Maryland - On August 30^th, 2014, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office conducted a Sobriety Checkpoint in the area of Point Lookout Road and Juniors Court between 11:30 PM and 1230 AM. Approximately (47) vehicles entered the checkpoint line.

Corporal James Stone and Corporal Kristi Nelson detected an odor of suspected marijuana emitting from a vehicle which had entered the checkpoint line. The investigation determined the front passenger identified as Travis Renard Snyder, 25, of Leonardtown, was in possession of a small plastic baggie of suspected marijuana. A passenger of the vehicle, identified as Tyrone Lemar Butler, 25, of Leonardtown, was wanted on a Circuit Court for non payment of child support. Snyder and Butler were placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged.

Travis R. Snyder

Tyrone L. Butler

Immediately following the Sobriety Checkpoint, deputies conducted saturation patrol in the same area. During saturation patrol deputies conducted (7) traffic stops resulting in (8) written citations, (2) written warnings, and (1) Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO) being issued.

Corporal Andrew Holton conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding and determined the driver was operating the vehicle with a suspended License. The driver, identified as Leonard Jerome Toye, 57, of Leonardtown, was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with Driving on a Suspended License and Privilege.

Leonard J. Toye

Detectives Charge Dameron Burglary Suspects

On June 28, 2014, Sheriff’s Office patrol units responded to a private residence on St. Jerome's Neck Rd. in Dameron, Maryland, for the report of a burglary.  Deputies determined unknown culprit(s) forced entry to the victim’s residence by breaking a window and stole various property belonging to the victim.  The Criminal Investigations Division was contacted and assumed the case.

 

Following an investigation by detectives, suspects were identified and arrested.  Natasha M. Kelly, age 28, of Great Mills, Md. and Steven L. Thomas, age 44, of Lexington Park, Md. were both charged with 1st Degree Burglary and Theft $10,000 to under $100,000.   Thomas was incarcerated in the St. Mary’s County Detention Center under $5,000 bond.  Kelly was incarcerated under a $25,000 bond.  Thomas later posted bond and was released pending an appearance in District Court. Kelly remains incarcerated.

Steve L. Thomas

 

Natasha M. Kelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                      

 

Incident Briefs 8-23-14 to 9-2-14

8-23-14 THEFT - A victim reported his 15 foot center console Key West boat was stolen from the Dennis Point Marina. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Schultz. Case #45605-14

8-25-14 BURGLARY - The manager of the Ruby Tuesday restaurant located in California, reported unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the business and stole US currency. Case remains open and is assigned to Corporal Ross. Case #45854-14

8-26-14 BURGLARY - Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the Our Lady's Church located on Medley's Neck Road. Nothing appeared to have been stolen. Case #46025-14

8-27-14 ATTEMPTED BURGLARY - A victim, who resides on Ruth's Way, reported unknown suspect(s) attempted to gain entry into his residence. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Phelan. Case #46191-14

8-27-14 THEFT - A victim, who resides in the 16000 block of Piney Point Road, reported unknown suspect(s) stole the American Flag from his yard. Case #46205-14

8-29-14 FRAUD - A victim, who resides on Lexwood Drive in Lexington Park, reported unknown suspect(s) opened a Verizon Wireless account in his name. Case remains open. Case #46451-14

8-29-14 THEFT - A victim, who resides on Drayden Road, reported a computer tablet was stolen from his residence. Case #46496-14

8-30-14 BURGLARY - A victim, who resides on Manon Way, reported unknown suspect(s) forced entry into his home and stole property. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Potter.

Case #46763-14

8-31-14 BURGLARY MOTOR VEHICLE - A victim, who resides in the 46000 block of Three Notch Road in Oakville, reported unknown suspect(s) entered 2 of his unlocked vehicles and a boat and stole property. Case remains open and is assigned to Corporal Ross. Case #46883-14

9-1-14 BURGLARY - A victim, who resides on Far Cry Road, reported unknown suspect(s) entered his residence and consumed food items. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Roszell. Case #47008-14

9-1-14 BURGLARY - A victim, who resides on Queen Tree Road, reported unknown suspect(s) entered his residence and stole property. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Pleisse. Case #47021-14

9-1-14 Motor Vehicle Accident Fly-Out - On 9-1-14 at 5:16 PM, deputies responded to the area of North Shangri-La Drive (Bank of America parking lot) for a motor vehicle accident. The driver suffered a medical emergency and struck a tree. The driver was transported to St. Mary's Hospital and then flown to an area hospital for precautionary measures. Case #47063-14