MEDIA RELEASE
 
October 6, 2008
   

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Crime Report for October 6, 2008

            On September 26, 2008, Deputy First Class Michael Harrison responded to the Cedar Point Federal Credit Union for a report of fraud.  The investigation revealed Thomas Jeffrey Combs, age 23 of Hollywood, was at the credit union attempting to cash two checks written by a victim who, unknown to Combs, happened to be a bank employee of the Cedar Point Federal Credit Union where he was attempting to cash the checks.  The victim reported she ordered checks from the credit union but had never received them and was surprised when Combs was attempting to cash checks which were written to him and forged with the victim’s signature.  Further investigation revealed Combs had also passed two stolen and forged checks of the victim on September 25, 2008.  Combs was arrested and charged with four counts of Uttering, four counts of Theft, four counts of Counterfeiting, and one count of Theft Scheme, one count of Hindering and one count of False Statement to a Police Officer.

            On September 27, 2008, Deputy Travis Bowes and Deputy First Class Jason Graves were in the area of Three Notch Road and Chaffee Court in reference to a suspicious person/vehicle call.  The investigation revealed Johnathan Adrian Marshall, age 37 of Waldorf, and Derek Anthony Carroll, age 23 of Waldorf, were filling a disabled 2000 Ford Explorer with gasoline.  As the deputies were speaking with Marshall and Carroll, they observed in plain view a clear plastic bag containing suspected powdered cocaine on the driver’s seat.  A search of the vehicle revealed a metal spoon with burnt suspected cocaine residue in the vehicle.  Also recovered from the vehicle was suspected crack cocaine in the center console.  Marshall and Carroll were arrested and charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance Paraphernalia.

            On September 28, 2008 in Tall Timbers, Deputy Scott Ruest responded to and investigated a domestic assault complaint.  The investigation revealed George Leo Bean Jr., age 47 of Tall Timbers, engaged in a verbal argument which escalated into a physical altercation.  Bean threw a boot at the victim striking her in the thigh.  Bean was arrested and charged with Second Degree Assault.

            On September 29, 2008 at approximately 0000 hours, a lookout was broadcast for a blue Dodge Intrepid with Maryland registration.  The vehicle was stolen from Sell Drive in Lexington Park.  The vehicle was being followed by a witness on Pegg Road.  Deputies in the area located the vehicle in the area of Kreigle Court in Lexington Park.  Deputy Jean Vezzosi followed the vehicle to the end of the cul-de-sac of Kreigle Court at which time the driver stopped abruptly and jumped out of the vehicle.  Deputy Vezzosi gave chase.  Deputy Vezzosi was able to catch the driver, identified as Alfred Lee Johnson, age 22 of Great Mills.  Alfred Johnson was charged with Motor Vehicle Theft, Theft Over $500.00 and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

            On September 29, 2008, Deputy First Class Kevin Meyer initiated a traffic stop on a 1995 Honda Accord.  The operator, identified as Steve Lovell Thomas, age 38 of Lexington Park, was not restrained by a seatbelt as required by Maryland law.  As Deputy First Class Meyer was attempting to stop the vehicle, he could see the driver make movement with both hands as if he was placing an object under the driver’s seat.  The driver then made several movements as if he was attempting to duck low in the vehicle.  The driver eventually stopped the vehicle.  Deputy First Class Meyer contacted Thomas who was fidgety and sweating profusely.  It appeared to Deputy First Class Meyer the driver was under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.  Deputy First Class Rishel and K-9 partner Mica arrived on the scene of the traffic stop.  A K-9 drug scan of the vehicle resulted in an alert for possible controlled dangerous substances in the area.  A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed a glass smoking device containing suspected controlled dangerous substance residue (suspected cocaine).  Also located in the vehicle was a metal spoon containing suspected cocaine residue.  Thomas was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance Paraphernalia.

            On March 17, 2008, a Protective Order was signed by Judge John Slade III and served upon Dewayne McClain Milburn Sr., age 29 of California, ordering no contact with the protected petitioner.  On September 29, 2008, Milburn made repeated phone calls and sent one text message to the petitioner.  Milburn threatened the safety of the petitioner during the phone calls.  Deputy First Class William Watters located and arrested Milburn for Violating the Conditions of the Protective Order.

             On September 30, 2008, Bureau of Criminal Investigations Detectives arrested Christopher L. Goldsborough, age 21 of Loveville, and charged him with Burglary, six counts of Theft Over $500, Malicious Property Destruction, and a Theft Scheme.  He was charged for an August 15, 2008 Burglary and Theft of copper from Dave’s Plumbing in Mechanicsville, an August 11, 2008 and August 22, 2008 Theft of copper from CSM Ironworks in Mechanicsville, a September 28, 2008 Theft of copper and other items from Mechanical Designs Systems in Clements, and an August 11, 2008 and September 29, 2008 Theft of copper from R and R Fabricators in Mechanicsville.  Bureau of Criminal Investigations Detectives originally arrested Goldsborough on September 21, 2008 for a separate September 4, 2008 Burglary in Leonardtown and he was out on bond when he was arrested again.  In addition, detectives arrested Megan L. Lacey, age 21 of Loveville, and charged her with a Theft Scheme and as an Accessory After the Fact, for her role in selling the stolen items.  Both defendants were incarcerated in the St. Mary’s County Detention Center.

            On September 30, 2008 at approximately 1848 hours, the Wal-Mart in California received a bomb threat called into the store.  Wal-Mart called 911 to report the bomb threat and employees of Wal-Mart began evacuating the store as Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Maryland State Police Troopers and Fire Personnel responded.  The store was evacuated.  Six search teams consisting of one police officer, either a deputy or a trooper, one fire fighter and one store manager searched the entire building.  The search did not reveal any suspicious packages or explosive devices.  The investigation is continuing.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Bureau of Criminal Investigations at 301-475-4200 ext. 1996 or Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333. 

            On September 30, 2008 Senior Deputy First Class Brian Connelly responded to McKay’s Food and Drug Store in Hollywood for a report of a theft.  The investigation revealed Christopher Bryan Cox, age 24 of Leonardtown, was observed, by off-duty Sergeant Gerald Johnson placing packages of steaks in his waistband.  Sergeant Johnson approached Cox and identified himself and presented his credentials as a deputy sheriff.  Sergeant Johnson advised Cox he was going to be detained.  As Sergeant Johnson and Cox walked to the front of the store, Cox removed the steaks from his waistband and threw them onto the meat department’s refrigerators.  Sergeant Johnson told Cox he was under arrest.  Cox pulled away from Sergeant Johnson.  A struggle ensued and Cox was placed on the ground by Sergeant Johnson.  Cox yelled, cursed and threatened Sergeant Johnson’s life which drew the attention of other customers in the store.  Senior Deputy First Class Connelly arrived at McKay’s to assist with the arrest.  Cox was charged with Theft Under $500.00, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct. 

            On October 1, 2008 at approximately 0400 hours, Deputy Michael Boyer responded to Hilton Drive in Lexington Park for a report of a possible burglary in progress.  Upon arrival Deputy Boyer was contacted by several residents describing a short, white male, brown hair, wearing a white shirt banging, beating and rattling resident’s doors attempting to gain entry.  Some neighbors described the subject as intoxicated.  Deputy Boyer checked the area and located Nery Velasco Mendez-Shunic, age 22 of Lexington Park, actively attempting to gain entry into a residence.  Deputy Boyer questioned Mendez-Shunic who claimed the residence he was trying to enter was his residence, however; several of the keys Mendez-Shunic attempted to use to gain entry did not unlock the door.  Deputy Boyer contacted the occupants of the residence who stated they did not know Mendez-Shunic.  Mendez-Shunic could not provide Deputy Boyer with his address or telephone number.  None of the residents in the area were familiar with Mendez-Shunic.  Mendez-Shunic was arrested and charged with Disorderly Conduct.

            On October 1, 2008, Senior Deputy First Class David Corcoran responded to Advance Auto Parts in Lexington Park for a report of a theft.  The investigation revealed Theodore Eustace Kotowski, age 48 of Avenue, attempted to make a purchase with a MasterCard credit card which he did not have permission to use.  The credit card belonged to Kotowski’s former employer.  Kotowski was terminated from his former job, Fuel Tech Inc., in August 2008.  Further investigation revealed Kotowski used the card to several purchases between September 30, 2008 and October 1, 2008 while not having permission to use the card.  Kotowski was arrested and charged with four counts of Theft and one count of Theft Scheme.

            On October 2, 2008, Deputy Scott Ruest responded to the Days Inn in Lexington Park for a report of a trespasser.  The investigation revealed Sheila Christine Vernon, age 38 of no fixed address, had previously been served with a no trespassing notice for the Days Inn on August 19, 2005.  The no trespassing notice was still active and Vernon was not permitted to be on the property.  The manager of the Days Inn reported Vernon was at the hotel on October 1, 2008 banging on patrons’ doors.  Vernon was asked to leave by the manager, which she eventually did.  Deputy Ruest located Vernon and placed her under arrest for Trespassing.

            Vice/Narcotics Detectives began an investigation into suspect Bryson Scott Kleeman’s receipt of a package that contained marijuana.  Kleeman, age 22 of Lexington Park, who is active military (United States Navy), paid for approximately $700.00 worth of marijuana to be shipped to him.  A Search and Seizure Warrant was executed on his apartment in Lexington Park.  More than two ounces of marijuana was recovered.  Kleeman was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana.  Additional charges are pending a States’ Attorney’s Office review.

            As a result of the ongoing investigation into the September 24, 2008 abduction of a bank manager and her two children and subsequent robbery of the PNC Bank in California, Bureau of Criminal Investigations Detectives, along with the Calvert Investigative Team, Maryland State Police, MSP Homeland Security and Intelligence Division, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, the Southern Maryland Information Center, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, executed a number of Search and Seizure Warrants in Calvert and St. Mary’s County on homes, persons and vehicles, beginning in the early morning hours of October 3, 2008 and continued throughout the day.  Quinita Jesse Ennis, age 30 of Lexington Park, was taken into custody and charged with three counts of Kidnapping, First Degree Assault, Armed Robbery, Theft Over $500.00 and Conspiracy.  Edwin Jonathan Jones, age 40 of Lexington Park, was taken into custody and charged with three counts of Kidnapping,  First Degree Assault,  Armed Robbery, Theft Over $500.00, Conspiracy and Being an Accessory Before and After the Fact.  Felony warrants were issued for William Cordell Johnson, A.K.A. “Back Road Billy”, age 28 of California, and Joseph Franklin Brown, age 25 of California.  Bureau of Criminal Investigations Detectives had determined Johnson and Brown had fled to the Raleigh, North Carolina area, operating a 2002 Silver BMW passenger vehicle.  Johnson and Brown were considered armed and dangerous.  Bureau of Criminal Investigations Detectives contacted police in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Johnson and Brown were located and subsequently arrested by police in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Both are incarcerated and awaiting return to Maryland.  Detectives recovered approximately $100,000.00 of the stolen currency and other evidence linking the suspects to the crime during the operation.  Ennis and Jones were incarcerated in the St. Mary’s County Detention Center.

            If any additional information is needed, please contact the Duty Officer at 301-475-4200 x1900.