Joseph Robert Willet III, 31, of Hughesville, was arrested on December 8, 2024, following an alleged domestic assault at a residence in California, Maryland. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident, which resulted in multiple charges against Willett, including assault and firearm-related offenses. According to court documents, Deputy Ocasio-Rivera responded to...
Read More »
UPDATE: Michael Darnell Lassiter, 59, of La Plata, was arrested on December 7, 2024, following an incident at a residence on Hemlock Court, in La Plata. According to court documents, Lassiter faces multiple charges, including resisting arrest, second-degree assault, property damage, failure to obey a lawful order, endangerment due to intoxication, and making arson...
Read More »
UPDATE 12/7/2024: La Plata Police Department investigators have identified the individual killed as Robert Martin Pope, 66-years old, of Glen Burnie, Maryland. On December 6, 2024, at approximately 8:18 p.m., officers were in route to a carry out/restaurant, located in the 6500 block of Crain Highway, to check the welfare of an individual. While...
Read More »
Shuree Sinese Weems, 43, of Lusby, was arrested on November 14, 2024, at Mimi’s Station, a liquor store located at on Rousby Hall Road, in Lusby. Weems faces multiple charges, including trespassing, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and court records. Deputy...
Read More »
An investigation by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Section led to the arrest of Adrian Carlos Farris, 35, of Waldorf, on December 3, 2024. A search warrant executed at his residence on Vane Court uncovered drugs valued at over $30,000, a firearm, and various drug-related paraphernalia. The operation was part of an...
Read More »
Sobriety checkpoints are common tools law enforcement uses to ensure road safety by identifying impaired drivers. If you find yourself approaching one, it can be helpful to know what to expect and how to handle it smoothly. As you approach a sobriety checkpoint, you’ll likely notice signs and flashing lights, along with uniformed officers...
Read More »
A 21-year-old Waldorf man was arrested on November 29, 2024, following a traffic stop that led to the discovery of a stolen vehicle, according to court documents filed in Charles County. Chidozie Charles Obinna Udoji, 21, of Waldorf, was charged with theft of property valued between $1,500 and $25,000. The charge carries a potential...
Read More »
The Town of La Plata does siren testing in the spring and winter. The next testing will take place on Saturday, December 7 at 10:00 am. The testing takes about 30 minutes. The tests consist of both siren alerts and audible notifications. The tests are conducted in conjunction with the Charles County 911 Communications...
Read More »
UPDATE 12/5/2024: Investigation is ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the collision is encouraged to contact Captain Matthew Norris or Captain Michael Payne at 301-934-1500. On December 4, 2024, at approximately 4:07 p.m., officers responded to the area of Rosewick Road and Rosewick Crossing Place for the report of a vehicle collision. Preliminary investigation revealed a...
Read More »
Court documents from two separate cases detail criminal charges against Foday Badara Ladie Jr., 27, of Brandywine, stemming from incidents reported on November 23 and 24, 2024. The charges include alleged handgun possession, failure to obey a lawful order, and second-degree assault. Officers were called to the Indian Head Inn on Strauss Avenue at...
Read More »
On December 1, 2024, authorities in Charles County apprehended Corness Margo Gray, 58, of Waldorf, following an assault and drug-related offenses. The incident occurred on Pinewood Drive, where police responded to reports of an altercation. According to court documents, deputies encountered Gray standing in the roadway, matching the description of the suspect. During questioning,...
Read More »
Two women were arrested following a shoplifting incident at the Target store located at 3300 Western Parkway, in Waldorf, on December 2, 2024. According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the scene at approximately 7:55 PM after store loss prevention staff reported observing a theft in progress. The suspects, identified...
Read More »
The La Plata Police Department has charged Christopher Ralph Sims, 35, of Sumter, South Carolina, with theft following an incident at a Lowe’s store on Rosewick Road in La Plata on September 22, 2024. According to court documents, Sims is accused of stealing a flatbed trailer and two Toro TimeCutter riding mowers valued at...
Read More »
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is conducting its annual “Boatload of Toys” holiday gift drive at several locations across the state in advance of the 2024 holiday season. NRP officers are collecting donations of new, unopened toys for local children in need. The program is part of the national United States Marine Toys for...
Read More »
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering holiday shoppers a different type of gift this year–one that can be in honor of a loved one, to benefit future generations, and improve the environment. The Gift of Trees is a program where Marylanders purchase native trees — either a single tree or a grove...
Read More »
The Town of La Plata is lighting up the holiday season with its beloved “Light Up La Plata” contest, inviting residents and businesses to showcase their festive spirit. Registration is open through December 4, 2024, for those within the town limits eager to compete for the best-decorated displays. Participants can enter one of several...
Read More »
UPDATE 12/01/2024: Maryland State Police investigators are continuing an investigation into the death of a state prison inmate in Allegany County. The inmate is identified as Robert Warren, 28. Warren was declared deceased in his cell on November 25 by emergency medical service personnel. He was a state prison inmate serving time at the...
Read More »
Before John Smith arrived and even before the glaciers melted to create the Chesapeake Bay, Indigenous Peoples had called the land that is now Maryland home. Indigenous sites in Maryland have been dated as early as 12,000 years ago by archaeologists. Many Indigenous People lived along the then Susquehanna River, using the resources provided...
Read More »
On Monday, November 18, 2024, at 1:17 a.m., officers responded to the 6500 block of Hungerford Road in Bryans Road, MD for the report of a subject breaking into vehicles. Upon arrival, officers observed several vehicles had been broken into. One of the officers, who is also a drone operator, deployed a drone to...
Read More »
On Sunday, November 17, 2024, at approximately 4:19 a.m., officers responded to the 6000 block of Washington Avenue for the report of a construction site burglary. Upon arrival officers observed two individuals in dark clothing, as the individuals noticed the officers they fled on foot to a large box truck. Officers attempted to stop...
Read More »
by Danielle J. Brown, Maryland Matters November 24, 2024 Cannabis-related emergency room visits climbed steadily through July 2023, when recreational use was first legalized in Maryland, but have never reached that peak again, fluctuating up and down in the months since. That was just one of the findings of a new Maryland Health Department...
Read More »
As families and friends gather for Thanksgiving celebrations, the holiday season also brings increased risks on Maryland’s roads due to impaired driving. Thanksgiving consistently ranks among the busiest travel times of the year, and with that comes a sharp uptick in traffic incidents involving alcohol or drugs. Law enforcement agencies and safety advocates are...
Read More »
On Sunday, November 24, 2024, at approximately 7:55 a.m., firefighters from Charles and Prince George’s County were dispatched to 11207 Barnswallow Place in Waldorf, for the reported structure on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 3-story end of the row townhouse with smoke and fire showing from the second and third...
Read More »
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, at approximately 7:55 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Leonardtown Road and Carrico Mill Road in Hughesville, for a motor vehicle collision reported serious with entrapment. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm one adult male was trapped. Firefighters extricated the single occupant in...
Read More »
On November 21, 2024, officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), alongside Maryland State Police, conducted a coordinated traffic safety initiative across multiple locations throughout the county. The initiative focused on areas where residents had previously raised traffic safety concerns. A total of 267 traffic stops were made, resulting in approximately 370 warnings,...
Read More »
