2014 Christmas Shop With A COP

The St. Mary's County Shop with a Cop program is an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization whose boards of directors are comprised of members of the St. Mary's County Optimist Clubs and St. Mary's County Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 7. Lorraine "Bunny" Brewer, Toni and Jimmy Long, and Joseph Stanalonis and Bill Raddatz plan, coordinate and supervise the program throughout the year.

On Saturday, December 13th, members of the Optimist Clubs of St. Mary's County, St. Mary's County Commissioner John O'Connor and members of the St. Mary's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, cooked breakfast and wrapped presents for the officers and children participating in the program.

Kate Eggart of the St. Mary's County Public schools and the personnel pupil workers of the St. Mary's County Public schools and the principals and counselors of several of the parochial schools assisted in submitting names of children who were later selected to participate in the program.

Officers and deputies from the State Fire Marshal's Office, United States Coast Guard, Point Lookout Department of Natural Resource Park Rangers, Federal Bureau of Investigations, St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, St. Mary's County office of Parole and Probation, and Troopers from the Maryland State Police St. Mary's, Calvert, and LaPlata barracks along with Troopers from the Aviation Division volunteered to take the children shopping.

Sheriff Tim Cameron and the men and women of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office sincerely thank everyone who continue to make this event, (and Back to School Shop With A COP), an amazing success every year. 

Visit #SMCSO Facebook page at www.facebook.com/firstsheriff to see all of our Shop With A COP photos. Remember to follow #SMCSO on Twitter @firstsheriff . As always, THANK YOU for your continued support!

What is Shop With A Cop?

Today, this amazing lady came to Sheriff's Office headquarters. Her name is Denna Taggart and she asked to meet with Detective Corporal Bill Raddatz in person. Bill was out of the office. Detective Ellis offered to deliver the card to Bill, however Mrs. Taggart insisted on waiting. Mrs. Taggart waited in her car for nearly an hour.

When Bill arrived she enthusiastically greeted him in the lobby and presented him with a hand made card from her son, Connor. She hugged Bill. She thanked him for the Shop With A Cop program and all of his hard work and dedication. In fact, she thanked everyone from the teacher and doctor who submitted Connor's name for participation in the program, to all of the law enforcement officers who gave their time, to all of those who donated money to make the event possible, and the Trooper, (Trooper First Class Tenorio, LaPlata Barrack), who took Connor to Shop With A Cop. 

She thanked her 6 year old son, Connor, for bringing home Christmas gifts for the entire family. Bill added he had seen Connor initially leaving Walmart without a single gift for himself. Connor only bought a toy for himself after Bill sent him back inside with the Trooper. 

With tears in her eyes, Mrs. Taggart told Bill, "I wanted to see you in person to tell you that you made a difference. I'm so very thankful for our police officers and what you all do. I had no idea Shop With A Cop existed. Thank you so much. Thank you." 

What is Shop With A Cop? - This story IS Shop With A Cop.  

Incident Briefs 12-11-14 to 12-15-14

12-11-14 PROPERTY DESTRUCTION - A victim, who resides on Spring Valley Drive in Lexington Park, reported a known suspect damaged her vehicle by scratching it. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy J. Smith. CASE #65765-14

12-11-14 BURGLARY - A victim, who resides on Fox Chase Drive in Lexington Park, reported unknown suspect(s) entered her residence by unknown means and stole property. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy L. Johnson. CASE #65748-14

12-12-14 FRAUD - A victim, who resides on Aspen Way in Lexington Park, reported unknown suspect(s) made unauthorized charges through her Groupon Account. Case remains open. CASE #65920-14

12-12-14 FRAUD - A victim, who resides on Vista Road in Hollywood, reported unauthorized charges to her Verizon account. CASE #65932-14

12-13-14 THEFT - A victim, who resides on Monterey Lane in California, reported unknown suspect(s) stole jewelry from her home. Case remains open and is assigned to Deputy Wesner. CASE #66172-14

12-14-14 - BURGLARY - A victim reported unknown suspect(s) entered her storage unit at County Line Storage in Charlotte Hall and stole property. CASE #66233-14

12-14-14 BURGLARY MOTOR VEHICLE - A victim, who resides on Christian Way reported unknown suspect(s) entered her unlocked vehicle and stole property. Case remains open. 

Detectives Make Arrest in Ridge Armed Robbery

Ridge, Maryland - On December 1, 2014, deputies responded to a residence in the 13000 block of Point Lookout Road for a reported armed robbery. Deputies determined the victim had been robbed of cash at gunpoint by an African American male as he exited his residence.  Detectives and Crime lab Technicians from the Criminal Investigations Division responded and assumed the investigation.

Detectives learned the victim had recently received a substantial amount of money and that several people knew the victim would have the money on him or at his residence. When the victim returned home on the night of December 1st, he discovered his residence had been burglarized. He exited the residence at which time he was confronted by an African American male armed with a handgun.  The suspect indicated he knew the victim had money and ordered him to empty his pockets. The suspect then shot at the victim; however the gun misfired and the victim fled on foot. As the victim ran the suspect continued to shoot at him; one bullet struck a vehicle while a woman and a small child were sitting inside. The victim was able to hide in the woods and the suspect fled the area on foot.

On December 11, 2014, detectives identified a suspect in the case. Detectives located and arrested Torian Taylor Luckett, age 19, of Great Mill. Luckett was charged with Armed Robbery, Burglary 1st Degree, Assault 1st Degree and Theft $1,000 to $10,000.  Luckett was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and incarcerated under No Bond.

Additional charges and additional arrests are pending a review of the case with State’s Attorney Richard Fritz.

Torian Taylor Luckett 

Captain Terry L. Black

Commander

Criminal Investigations Division

301-475-4200 Ext. 1925

DUI Arrests 12-12-14

James Ashley Gates, 33, of Mechanicsville, on 11-21-14 by Deputy Padukiewicz

James Gates

Johnny Antonio Zuniga, 24, of Silver Spring, on 11-26-14 by Deputy McClure NP

Mercedes Keyaira Carter, 22, of Lexington Park, on 11-30-14 by Deputy McClure

Mercedes Varter

Steven Louis Michalk, 29, of Lexington Park, on 11-29-14 by Deputy Holdsworth NP

Robert Christopher Quesenberry, 48, of Mechanicsville, on 11-30-14 by Deputy Holdsworth

Robert Quesenberry

James Allen Obryhim, 63, of Lexington Park, on 11-30-14 by Wilson NP

Brian Paul Davis, 30, of Cheltenham, charged 12-3-14 from incident on 9-6-14 by Deputy S. Cameron NP

Clayton Wayne Vermillion, 18, of Nanjemoy, MD, on 12-6-14 by Deputy Siciliano NP

Kevin Tyler Harville, 21, of Mechanicsville, on 12-6-14 by Deputy Pontorno

Kevin Harville

Jessica Jean Bennett, 26, of Hughesville, on 12-6-14 by Deputy Bare NP

Doug Brian Hansen, 42, of Mechanicsville, on 12-7-14 by Deputy Muschette NP

Arrests 12-11-14

ASSAULT – On December 1, 2014, Deputy Logue responded to a residence in Hilton Drive in Lexington Park, for a reported disturbance. Deputy Logue observed a victim with a bloody nose. The victim alleged suspect Karen Ann Johnson, 36, of Lexington Park, punched the victim in the face during an argument. Johnson was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. She was charged with 2^nd Degree Assault. CASE #63986-14

Karen Johnson

ASSAULT – On December 3, 2014, Deputy Logue responded to the 19000 block of Piney Point Road in Callaway, for a reported disturbance. The victim alleged suspect Joseph Franklin Greenwell, 37, of Great Mills, became angry with the victim for not coming home in a timely manner. Greenwell drove to where the victim was and an argument ensued. During the argument, Greenwell grabbed the victim by the throat and pushed the victim backwards to the ground causing an elbow injury. Greenwell fled the scene after the call to 9 1 1. However, he was located by incoming deputies and placed under arrest. Greenwell was transported to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and charged with 2^nd Degree Assault. CASE #64180-14

Joseph Greenwell

Deputies Receive Naloxone Training

Leonardtown, Maryland - On December 11, 2014, the first group of deputies received training and certification on how to administer Intranasal (Nasal) Naloxone to a person experiencing an Opioid overdose. The first group, made up of primarily patrol deputies, should receive the medication sometime later this month. 

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office in partnership with the St. Mary's County Health Department, hope to train, certify, and equip all Sheriff's Office deputies with Naloxone. Naloxone, when administered in a timely manner, can reverse an Opioid overdose by restoring breathing; substantially reducing the probability of death.  

Sheriff Tim Cameron and the men and women of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office are excited to have this important medication readily available to them to help prevent death from Opioid overdose.  #SMCSO #SaveLives    

DFC Glenn Knott holding his Naloxone 

certification card

Detectives Investigate Burglaries - Papa John's

Hollywood, Maryland - On December 10, 2014, deputies responded to two businesses located on Three Notch Road, for the report of a burglary.  Deputies determined unknown suspect(s) gained entry to the Papa John’s Pizza and the Middle Department Inspection Agency by breaking out the front door glass.  Once inside the unknown suspect(s) removed property from the businesses.  Detectives and Crime Lab Technicians from the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. 

Detectives are asking anyone who may have information about this crime is asked to contact Detective Cory Ellis at 301.475.4200 X 9125 or email cory.ellis@stmarysmd.com.  Callers 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). 

2014 HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2014

YOU BETTER WATCH OUT, I’M TELLING YOU WHY:

Stay Off the Naughty List – Designate a Driver

Southern Maryland- This time of year, with all the holiday parties and festive occasions, many partygoers will be drinking. If you’re celebrating with alcohol this holiday season, local law enforcement agencies throughout southern Maryland share the same message: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

And local sales establishments agree it’s time for all drivers to get the message that drunk driving isn’t a victimless crime. You could kill yourself, someone else, or get a DUI and go to jail.

On Wednesday, December 10, 2014 just a few of the 100’s of licensees came together with traffic safety partners and advocates, brewers, and distributors throughout Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s County to promote and reinforce the use of designated drivers this holiday season. Everyone agreed the safest approach is to only drive sober. If you plan on drinking at a holiday party, bar, or restaurant, let someone else do the driving – a sober friend, a taxi or public transportation.

Representatives from the following sales establishments were in attendance: Mully’s Brewery, ABD Liquors, Stoney’s Prince Frederick, Boston’s Pizza, The Liquor Store, Colonial Liquors, Big B Liquors, Race-n-In, and ABC Liquors. Partners in traffic safety included College of Southern Maryland – Safe Communities, Liquor Control Board and Alcohol Beverage Board Representatives, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, County Health Departments, Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse, Community Alcohol Coalition, State Highway Administration, Maryland State Police, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Natural Resources Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, La Plata Police Department, Bob Hall Distributing, and Guy Distributing.

In a concerted effort to promote designated drivers, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office has partnered with sales establishments, wineries, brewers, and distributors to distribute wine/liquor bags with the message “Designate a Sober Driver”.

In addition to reminding all drivers to drive sober, community partners are calling on everyone to be alert. If you see a drunk driver on the road, call the police right away—you could save a life. If someone you know is about to drive after drinking, take their keys and help them get home safely. And if you are making arrangements to celebrate, include plans for a safe, sober ride before heading out.

Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office extends great appreciation to Bob Hall Distributing and Guy Distributing for taking on the task of delivering the Designated Driver bags to licensees in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s County.

Every year, more than 10,322 people are killed by drunk drivers in America. In 2013, 152 people were killed and 2,351 were injured in impaired driving crashes in Maryland. One life lost is one too many. The designated driver program is part of Maryland’s Toward Zero Deaths (www.towardzerodeathsmd.com) goal of zero lives lost in motor vehicle crashes.

Incident Briefs 12-11-14

12-10-14 BURGLARY - Unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the Papa John's Restaurant and the Middle Department Inspection Agency located in the 25000 block of Three Notch Road in Hollywood. Case remains open. CASE #65460-14 and #65466-14

12-10-14 THEFT - Unknown suspect(s) stole 4 tires from a Nissan parked at St. Mary's Motors. CASE #65496-14

12-10-14 PROPERTY DESTRUCTION - Employees of the soup kitchen located on Langley Road reported someone wrote obscenities on the bathroom wall. Case remains open. CASE #65516-14   

12-10-14 BURGLARY - Unknown suspect(s) entered a vacant residence in Lexington Park and attempted to remove a stove. Case remains open. CASE #65517-14

12-10-14 ROBBERY - A victim reported he was walking in the area of Lex's Apartments on Great Mills Road when he was approached by 4 black male suspects. At least one of the suspects was holding a knife. The victim was assaulted and his property was taken. The victim suffered minor injuries. CASE remains open. CASE #65523-14

12-11-14 BURGLARY MOTOR VEHICLE - A victim reported unknown suspect(s) entered her unlocked vehicle and stole property while parked at Great Mills High School. Case remains open. CASE #65575-14