DUI Arrests 7-8-15

Dobry, James Robert , age 35, of Great Mills, on 5-22-15 by DFC Foor NP

Ellenberger, Travis Lee, age 27, of Mechanicsville, on 5-23-15 by Deputy Fennessey

Travis Ellenberger

Palencia, Gelin Zuzana, age 27, of Oxon Hill, on 5-24-15 by Deputy Fennessey

Gelin Palencia

Sanchez, Orlin Ramos, age 35, of Lexington Park, on 5-25-15 by Deputy Jason Smith

Orlin Sanchez

Steinbach, John Paul, age 46, of Waldorf, on 5-26-15 by Deputy McCuen

John Steinbach

Hiller, Kenneth Ray, age 49, of Florence, AL, on 5-31-15 by Deputy Wesner

Kenneth Hiller

Quade, Richard Casey, age 26, of Hollywood, on 5-30-15 by Deputy Fennessey

Richard Quade

Blackwell, Daryl Allen, JR., age 22, of Leonardtown, on 6-3-15 by Deputy Fennessey

Daryl Blackwell, JR.

Guzman, Carlos Alfaro, age 30, of Forrestville, on 6-7-15 by Deputy Kerns NP

Bokalitz, James Gerald, age 44, of Hollywood, on 6-7-15 by DFC Foor

James Bokalitz

Coar, Lawrence Francis, age 61, of Leonardtown, on 6-5-15 by Corporal J. Yingling

Lawrence Coar

Godoy, Franklin Isabel Coto, age 23, of Lexington Park, on 6-11-15 by DFC Potter NP

Sawyer, Stephen Mychael, age 22, of Patuxent River, on 6-20-15 by Deputy Kerns NP

Incident Briefs 7-6-15 to 7-8-15

7-6-15 Burglary - Unknown suspect(s) entered the Soup Kitchen located on Langley Road sometime during the night of 7-5-15. Nothing appeared to have been stolen. CASE #39583-15

7-7-15 Burglary - A homeowner on Nancy Lane in Great Mills arrived home to find the front door open. Nothing appeared to have been stolen. CASE #39718-15

7-7-15 Burglary to Motor Vehicle - Complainants alleged they parked their vehicle in the Wendy's parking lot in Leonardtown and went inside to eat. Unknown suspect(s) allegedly entered the unlocked vehicle and stole case and other valuables. CASE #39697-15

7-8-15 Motor Vehicle Crash (fly-out) - Deputy Kerby was traveling on McIntosh Road near Burnt Mill Road, when he saw a vehicle into a tree. The female operator was located at a nearby residence with a head injury. She was flown to Prince George's Shock Trauma for precautionary measures. CASE #39952-15

Arrests 7-7-15

First Degree Assault – On June 19, 2015, deputies responded to Missouri Avenue in Lexington Park, for a disturbance. The investigation revealed suspect Jeremiah Lee Logan, age 34, of Lexington Park, produced a knife and walked toward a male victim during the incident. Logan was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with 1^st and 2^nd Degree Assault. CASE #36108-15

Jeremiah Logan

Assault on Correctional Officer – On June 23, 2015, inmate Jared Lee Mansfield, age 27, of Hughesville, was released from his cell to order commissary items. As he walked past Correctional Officer J. Anderson, Mansfield kicked CO Anderson in the left leg. Mansfield was charged with Assault on DOC Employee by Corporal D. Snyder. CASE #36967-15

Jared Mansfield

Theft – On June 26, 2015, DFC Knott responded to the Thomas Somerville Company located on Airport View Drive in Hollywood, for a reported theft. An employee showed a male customer a set of air-conditioning test gauges valued at $403.00. The customer (suspect) left without purchasing the gauges. A short time later, the same suspect entered the contractor’s entrance went behind the counter and stole the gauges. An employee obtained the registration to the vehicle the suspect was seen getting into. The suspect, identified as Michael Shay Gelzer, age 50, of Hollywood, was located at his residence. Gelzer was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with Theft Under $1,000. CASE #37514-15

Michael Gelzer

First Degree Assault – On June 26, 2015, Deputy McLure responded to a residence in the 21000 block of Great Mills Road in Lexington Park, for a domestic assault. The victim alleged suspect Franklin nmn Severe, JR., age 56, of Lexington Park, struck the victim in the head with a wooden paper towel holder during an argument. The victim sustained a large laceration and lump to the forehead. Severe was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He was charged with 1^st and 2^nd Degree Assault. CASE #37458-15

Franklin Severe, JR.

First Degree Assault – On June 26, 2015, Deputy Logue responded to Wolftrap Street in Lexington Park, for a reported assault with a knife – in progress. On arrival, a male victim reported suspect Brandon Nathaniel Thomas, age 20, of Lexington Park, was upstairs with a knife. Deputy Logue encountered Thomas with the knife and ordered him several times to drop it. Thomas dropped the knife and was taken into custody. The victim alleged Thomas attempted to stab him during an argument at the dinner table. Thomas was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with 1^st and 2^nd Degree Assault. CASE #37396-15

Brandon Thomas

Disorderly Conduct/Resisting Arrest – On June 27, 2015, at 10:00 PM, Deputy Steinbach responded to Bristol Avenue in Lexington Park, to assist Corporal Corcoran with a DUI investigation. A large crowd, including children, began to gather. Suspect Dominic Jamar Pendleton, age 31, of Lexington Park, walked through the scene of the investigation yelling at subjects being interviewed by deputies. Pendleton was told to leave several times by deputies and he refused. He continued to yell obscenities at deputies. At that time, Pendleton was advised if he did not leave and stop yelling he would be arrested. He refused. Deputy Steinbach told Pendleton he was under arrest. Pendleton immediately fled on foot and was apprehended after a short chase. Pendleton continued to act in a disorderly manner after his arrest. He was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with Disorderly Conduct, Obstructing & Hindering, Failure to Obey Lawful Order, Resisting Arrest, Possession Alcoholic Beverage. CASE #37788-15

Dominic Pendleton

Domestic Assault – On June 28, 2015, Deputy Steinbach responded to a residence on Gregory Street in California, for a reported domestic related assault. The victim alleged suspect Tanya Renee Crouch, age 39, of California, struck the victim with a glass vase causing a serious laceration to the foot. Crouch was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. She was charged with 2^nd Degree Assault. CASE #37959-15

Tanya Crouch

Domestic Assault – On June 28, 2015, DFC Knott responded to a residence on West Westbury Blvd. in Lexington Park, for a reported domestic disturbance. The victim alleged suspect Kaleena Deshaun Miles, age 32, of Lexington Park, scratched the victim’s back and neck during an argument over who pays the electricity bill. Miles was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. She was charged with 2^nd Degree Assault. CASE #37873-15

Kaleena Miles

Violation Protective Order – On June 28, 2015, a victim reported suspect Leslie Ann Almberg, age 34, of Leonardtown, sent text messages in violation of an active protective order. Deputy LaFave determined Almberg sent several text messages to the victim outside the parameters set forth in the protective order. Almberg was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with 3 COUNTS Violation of Protective Order. CASE #37802-15

Leslie Almberg

Violation Protective Order – On June 29, 2015, Deputy Tirpak responded to a residence on Gregory Drive in California, for a reported violation of a protective order. The victim alleged suspect Tanya Renee Crouch, age 39, of California, was in the residence in violation of an active interim protective order. At approximately 4:20 AM, the victim woke up to find Crouch inside the home and called 911. Crouch had left the residence prior to Deputy Tirpak’s arrival, but was located a short distance away. She was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. She was charged with Violation of Protective Order. CASE #38007-15

Tanya Crouch

Violation Protective Order – On July 1, 2015, Deputy McCuen responded to Lady Baltimore Avenue in Leonardtown, for a violation of protective order. The victim alleged suspect Charles Louis Bellere, JR., age 41, of Leonardtown, sent multiple text messages to the victim in violation of an active protective order. Bellere was located and placed under arrest. He was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with Violation Protective Order. CASE #38593-15

Charles Bellere, JR.

Resisting Arrest/False Statement – On July 2, 2015, the Sheriff’s Office received information on the location of a wanted subject identified as Ashley Nicole Thomas, age 29, of Tall Timbers. Deputy Steinbach located the vehicle Thomas was reportedly traveling in and conducted a vehicle stop. The front seat passenger was identified by photograph as Ashley Thomas and was placed under arrest. Thomas provided a false name and continued to deny being the subject wanted by the Sheriff’s Office. Thomas then suddenly fled on foot, while in handcuffs, only to be apprehended by deputies after a short chase. Thomas was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and charged with Resisting Arrest and False Statement to Police Officer. Both warrants, for failure to appear in court on a Prostitution charge and a Theft Under $1,000 charged, were served. CASE #38817-15

Ashley Thomas

Burglary Suspects Caught on Video - Ace Hardware Charlotte Hall

Charlotte Hall, Maryland - The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public's help with solving a recent burglary to the Ace Hardware store located on Triangle Drive. 

On Thursday, July 2, 2015, at 1:27 AM, the male suspect in the photo below, wearing a light blue shirt, tan cargo shorts was seen in the rear of the Ace Hardware building where the fence was cut.  

The suspect vehicle is a silver 2007 to 2010 Chrysler Sebring missing its right front wheel cover. 

The driver appears to be a white female with her hair tied back into a pony tail. CASE #38679-15

 Anyone with information regarding the identity of the male or female suspect, the suspect vehicle or about this crime in general is asked to call 

CRIME SOLVERS at 301.475.3333, or text a tip to "TIP239" plus your message to '"CRIMES" (274637). 

You may also contact Deputy Roszell at 301.475.4200 X 9108. 

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.

Calls to CRIME SOLVERS are NOT RECORDED. 

CALLERS CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS.

     

Theft/Fraud Suspects HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED

UPDATE 7-6-15: Both suspects HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.

Original Press Release 6-17-15:California, Maryland - The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying the suspects pictured below. 

On May 22, 2015, at 10:20 PM, the suspects used a stolen debit card to purchase a PS4 game console and game cd from Walmart. They were seen leaving the parking lot in a dark colored passenger car.

SCAM ALERT! - Suspects Posing as #SMCSO Deputies

Recently, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office has received several reports of suspects (scammers) posing as agents from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and officials from various law enforcement agencies. During these phone calls, the scammer informs the citizen there is a past due balance on their Federal tax filing. The scammer directs the citizen to load a prepaid money card with funds then call the scammer back to provide the PIN number. The scammer threatens the citizen with arrest if the citizen does not pay immediately.

In another recent phone scam, the scammer directs a citizen to pay a preset bail for failing to appear in grand jury. Once again, the scammer threatens the citizen with arrest if he or she does not load funds onto a prepaid money card and call back with the PIN number. Scammers go to great lengths to APPEAR to be a legitimate IRS or law enforcement agent. In complaints received over the last week, scammers are even identifying themselves as "Sergeant Jacob (SCAMMER), of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Warrant Division" and directing citizens to "hang up and dial 9 1 1 if your call is an emergency" in voice mail messages. 

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office and the IRS do not call with threats of arrest, if you don't pay a fine for missing jury duty or to pay back taxes. If YOU receive a scam call anything like those described, HANG UP immediately. Never provide personal information over the phone. 

PLEASE SHARE and be sure warn our elderly folks, who may not surf the internet. They are most vulnerable to these types of scams. 

The IRS reports, “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 a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.”

Please visit the IRS web site for further information.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Scams-Consumer-Alerts

How do I report this scam?

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) is the agency responsible for investigating this scam. Please follow the below link to report this scam.

https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml

Incident Briefs 6-26-15 to 7-6-15

6-26-15 Theft - Unknown suspect(s) stole a mailbox on Bee Creek Lane. CASE #37518-15

6-26-15 Theft - An unidentified suspect stole a cell phone from a counter at the New China restaurant located in the 30000 block of Three Notch Road. CASE #37530-15

6-27-15 Robbery - Deputies responded to a residence in the 20000 block of Hermanville Road in Lexington Park. A male victim reported he was attacked by 3 unidentified black male suspects near the front door of his home. After incapacitating the victim, suspects entered the home and stole property. Deputies and K9 units conducted a search for the suspects with negative results. The victim was transported to MedStar St. Mary's Hospital by ambulance with non life-threatening head injuries. CASE #37633-15

6-27-15 Shooting - Deputies responded to a residence in the 20000 block of Hunting Quarters Drive in Callaway, for a reported shooting. The male victim was standing in his driveway when an unidentified male suspect approached and fired a weapon at him. The victim was struck in the neck and abdomen. He was flown to an area hospital for treatment. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. CASE #37640-15

6-27-15 Burglary to Motor Vehicle - Unknown suspect(s) entered 2 unlocked vehicles on New Market Turner Road in Mechanicsville, and stole property. CASE #37587-15

6-27-15 Burglary to Motor Vehicle - Unknown suspect(s) entered a vehicle on Autumwood Drive in Mechanicsville, and stole property. CASE #37579-15

6-27-15 Burglary to Motor Vehicle - Unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked vehicle on Dandilion Drive in Mechanicsville, and stole property. CASE #37595-15

6-27-15 - Property Destruction - Unknown suspect(s) spray painted the building over night. CASE #37691-15

6-29-15 - Malicious Burning - Unknown suspect(s) set 2 mailboxes on fire in the 36000 block of Hays Lane. An investigator from the Office of the State Fire Marshall responded and assumed the investigation. CASE #37987-15

6-29-15 Counterfeit - An unidentified white male attempted to pass a counterfeit bill at the McDonald's drive thru located on Greta Mills Road. CASE #37991-15

6-29-15 Malicious Burning - Unknown suspect(s) set a mailbox on fire in the 38000 block of Bills Way in Clements. Case forwarded to the Office of the State Fire Marshall. CASE #38076-15

6-30-15 Burglary - Unknown suspect(s) entered a vacant unsecured residence in Hollywood sometime over the past 2 months and stole copper pipe. CASE #38027-15

7-1-15 - Attempted Burglary - Unknown suspect(s) attempted to enter a residence on Heritage Drive in Leonardtown, by prying a door. CASE #38539-15

7-2-15 - Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence on Marva Point Way in Hollywood and stole property. CASE #38576-15

7-2-15 Assist Injured Subject - Corporal David Corcoran responded to a home in the 18000 block of Point Lookout Road in Park Hall. A male subject was intoxicated and fell into a window causing a severe laceration to an artery. Corporal Corcoran applied a tourniquet which stopped the bleeding. The subject was transported to MedStar St. Mary's Hospital for treatment. CASE #38637-15

7-2-15 Burglary - Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence on Spruce Drive in Lexington Park, and stole property. Additional information, including surveillance photos, to be released. CASE #38696-15

7-3-15 Burglary - Unknown suspect(s) entered a residence on Beverly Drive in Mechanicsville, and stole property. CASE #38773-15

7-3-15 Motor Vehicle Crash (fly out) - Deputies responded to Point Lookout Road in the area of Camp Cosoma Road for a vehicle crash involving a motorcycle. Preliminary investigation revealed the male driver and sole occupant of a motorcycle was northbound on Point Lookout Road when he attempted to pass a farm tractor on the left. The motorcycle struck a front wheel on the tractor ejecting the driver of the motorcycle. The motorcycle then caught on fire. The driver was flown to Washington Hospital Center with burns on both legs and other injuries. CASE #38917-15 

7-4-15 Motor Vehicle Theft - The owner of a 1994 Lexus ES300 reported he parked the vehicle in front of the McKay's located on Mohawk Drive in Charlotte Hall at 10:30 AM. When he returned at 10:15 PM, the vehicle was gone. CASE #39055-15

7-6-15 Burglary - Unknown suspect(s) kicked in the door of an apartment on Foxchase Drive in Great Mills. The suspect(s) immediately fled on foot. CASE #39551-15

Suspect charged with child abuse after giving marijuana to juveniles.

Tabitha Cassidy

On July 3, 2015 at 1:30AM, deputies responded to a residence on TreeTop Rd. in Lexington Park, Maryland, to check the welfare of several juveniles at a private residence. Information was received that the suspect, Tabitha A. Cassidy, age 45, of Lexington Park, had provided marijuana to several juveniles at a birthday party held at Cassidy’s residence. Contact was made with Cassidy who advised she had provided marijuana to three juveniles ranging in ages from 13 to 14. It was further determined Cassidy had provided marijuana to a 6 year old child by attempting to teach the child how to inhale marijuana through a smoking device. A search of her residence revealed suspected marijuana and various smoking devices used to ingest Controlled Dangerous Substances. Cassidy was arrested, charged with 4 Counts of 2nd Degree Child Abuse, 4 Counts of Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor, and Possession of Marijuana. Cassidy is currently being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center under NO BOND. 

Captain Terry L. Black #76
Commander
Patrol Division
301.475.4200 x 1925

HVFD Independence Day Celebration - TRAFFIC PLANS

On Saturday, July 4th at 5:00 PM, one lane on RT 235 in each direction will be CLOSED near the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD) until the end of the event. 

At the conclusion of the fireworks show, approximately 10:30 PM, all lanes of RT 235 in both directions will temporarily CLOSE to allow vehicle traffic and pedestrians to safely exit the HVFD parking lot. 

Follow #SMCSO NIXLE alerts, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/firstsheriff or on Twitter @firstsheriff for updated information.

Citizens are reminded and encouraged to report suspicious activity. Call the #SMCSO non-emergency line at 301.475.8008 or 9 1 1 in the event of an emergency.

Who Am I? Thief Uses Stolen Cell for Selfies

Hollywood, Maryland - The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect in the photo below. On June 29th around 2:30 PM, a customer dropped her LG smartphone in the parking lot of the Early Bird located on Mervall Dean Road. She returned shortly after realizing she had dropped it and the phone was gone. 

The unidentified suspect in the photo has had possession of the phone, using it to take selfies. CASE #38506-15

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect or about this crime in general is asked to call the St. Mary's County CRIME SOLVERS at 301.475.3333. Callers to CRIME SOLVERS can remain ANONYMOUS and all calls are NOT RECORDED. You may also call Corporal Elizabeth O'Connor at 301.475.4040.