Law Enforcement

Secretary’s Message: Investment in Outdoor Recreation Pays Back Dividends Now and for the Future

Secretary’s Message: Investment in Outdoor Recreation Pays Back Dividends Now and for the Future

In the last week of October, Maryland’s outdoor recreation community gathered in Baltimore for our second annual Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit. Bringing together the partners that comprise and support Maryland’s outdoor recreation community – local and state government, environmental organizations, educators, outfitters, and other businesses – is essential. The science is clear: time in...
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Missing 14-Year-Old Located Deceased in Prince George’s County; Death Ruled Homicide

Missing 14-Year-Old Located Deceased in Prince George’s County; Death Ruled Homicide

Prince George’s County Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating a homicide after human remains were located at a park in College Park. The victim is 14-year-old Jefferson Amaya-Ayala of Washington, DC. On November 3, 2025, while assisting the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and FBI Cross Border Taskforce with a joint missing persons investigation,...
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UPDATE: Third Arrest Made After 16-Year-Old Poses As 19-Year-Old with Fake Account in Setup Robbery and Stabbing of Volunteer Firefighter in Lexington Park

UPDATE: Third Arrest Made After 16-Year-Old Poses As 19-Year-Old with Fake Account in Setup Robbery and Stabbing of Volunteer Firefighter in Lexington Park

UPDATE 12/5/2025: An arrest warrant for Dmontre Montez Bush, 25, of Lexington Park, was conducted on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, in connection with the November stabbing and robbery in Lexington Park. Bush was taken into custody and transported to the Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown, where he is being held on a no...
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Animal Safety Alert in Effect Due to Weather

Animal Safety Alert in Effect Due to Weather

Due to forecasted cold temperatures Thursday, Dec. 4, through Friday, Dec. 5, the Department of Public Safety has issued an animal safety alert. During this period, animal owners and custodians are required to take the following actions to protect pets and livestock: Dogs and cats should be brought inside. If a dog or cat...
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December is Designated Driver Month in Calvert County

December is Designated Driver Month in Calvert County

The Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA) reminds residents and visitors that December is Designated Driver Month across the country, observed from Dec. 1 to Jan. 2. As you celebrate the holidays, CAASA urges county residents to plan for a safe ride home if your celebrations involve alcohol or other substances that could affect...
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UPDATE: Missing Chesapeake Beach Boater Lonnie Johnson Located Deceased Near Dorchester County

UPDATE: Missing Chesapeake Beach Boater Lonnie Johnson Located Deceased Near Dorchester County

12/4/2025: The Maryland Natural Resources Police has ended the search for Lonnie James Johnson, 65, of Chesapeake Beach after NRP personnel located Johnson deceased on Thursday afternoon in the waters of Dorchester County near Taylors Island. Officers responded to the northwest shoreline of Taylors Island, south of the mouth of the Little Choptank River...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Launches Redesigned Website to Improve Public Access and User Experience

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Launches Redesigned Website to Improve Public Access and User Experience

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has launched a newly redesigned website at www.FirstSheriff.com, offering the community a clearer, more accessible, and user-friendly way to find important public safety information. The updated site features improved navigation, a cleaner layout, and a modern design that is easier to read on both desktop and mobile devices. Community...
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Prince George’s County Police Department Mourns Passing of Another Veteran Officer, Sergeant Joseph Mullendore #2966

Prince George’s County Police Department Mourns Passing of Another Veteran Officer, Sergeant Joseph Mullendore #2966

The Prince George’s County Police Department is saddened to announce the passing of Sergeant Joseph Mullendore #2966 who died last week following a hard-fought illness. Sergeant Mullendore first joined the agency in 2006. During his nearly 20 years with the PGPD, he was assigned to Oxon Hill – District IV, the former Regional Investigation...
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No Injuries After House Fire in Waldorf, Two Displaced and Cause Under Investigation

No Injuries After House Fire in Waldorf, Two Displaced and Cause Under Investigation

On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at approximately 9:25 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the 800 block of Copley Avenue in Waldorf, for the reported garage on fire. 911 callers reported the garage was on fire and spreading to the attached residence. Firefighters quickly arrived on scene to find a two-story...
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70-Year-Old Man Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in Waldorf

70-Year-Old Man Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in Waldorf

On Thursday, December 4, 2025, at approximately 7:15 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 3315 Leonardtown Road in Waldorf, for the reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Crews arrived on the scene to find an adult male was conscious and breathing with injuries to the upper body. Upon...
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UPDATE: 22-Year-Old Arrested After Fatal Shooting at MGM National Harbor Casino in Prince George’s County

UPDATE: 22-Year-Old Arrested After Fatal Shooting at MGM National Harbor Casino in Prince George’s County

UPDATE 12/04/2025: PGPD’s Homicide Unit identified and charged a man in connection with Wednesday’s fatal shooting at the MGM National Harbor. The suspect is 22-year-old Benjamin Williams of Fort Washington. He is charged with the murder of 23-year-old Darnell Hawkins Jr. of Washington, DC. On December 3, 2025, at approximately 11:55 am, officers responded...
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Felony Convictions Obtained in Largest Narcotics Seizure in St. Mary’s Counties History

Felony Convictions Obtained in Largest Narcotics Seizure in St. Mary’s Counties History

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced that Antwian Marquis Johnson, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, was convicted of multiple drug-related charges following a lengthy investigation that resulted in the seizure of approximately 47 pounds of narcotics. On December 5, 2024, detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office seized 21.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine and...
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St. Mary’s County Police Searching for Wanted Baltimore Man, Carlonte Antoine Knott

St. Mary’s County Police Searching for Wanted Baltimore Man, Carlonte Antoine Knott

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the whereabouts of Carlonte Antoine Knott, 33, of Baltimore, for escape. Knott is described as a Black male, 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 250 pounds. Deputies were notified on December 1 that the ankle-monitoring GPS device assigned to Knott had been deactivated, and...
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Police Investigating Hit and Run on Benedict Bridge Leaving Two Injured; One Transported to Trauma Center

Police Investigating Hit and Run on Benedict Bridge Leaving Two Injured; One Transported to Trauma Center

On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at approximately 7:24 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 231 Benedict Bridge for a motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find a three vehicle collision with witnesses reporting one vehicle left the scene. Witnesses reported a small unknown colored 4-door...
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Troopers Say Anti-Theft Magnet, Glass Pipes Found During Arrest of Scotland Woman at Target

Troopers Say Anti-Theft Magnet, Glass Pipes Found During Arrest of Scotland Woman at Target

Jill Marie Knittel, 46, of Scotland, and Kevin Bryan Wright, 41, of California, are facing misdemeanor theft charges after store staff reported a shoplifting incident at a grocery store in California in November 2025, according to court documents. In a separate case days later, Knittel is also charged with drug offenses after a Maryland...
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Charles County Crime Solvers Offering Cash Reward in Reckless Endangerment Case

Charles County Crime Solvers Offering Cash Reward in Reckless Endangerment Case

Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward in reference to a reckless endangerment case that occurred on November 30th, 2025, at 8:15 p.m. in which unknown suspect(s) fired several rounds from a handgun into an apartment in the 3000 block of Gallery Place in Waldorf. None of the occupants inside were injured....
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Announces Increased Holiday Patrols to Enhance Public Safety

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Announces Increased Holiday Patrols to Enhance Public Safety

The expanded patrols will focus on preventing theft from vehicles, promoting responsible driving, and ensuring residents and visitors feel safe during one of the busiest times of the year. Deputies will be highly visible in commercial areas, particularly during peak shopping hours, and will continue proactive patrols in residential communities. In addition to crime...
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76-Year-Old Crossing Guard Transported After Being Struck by Vehicle in La Plata

76-Year-Old Crossing Guard Transported After Being Struck by Vehicle in La Plata

On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at approximately 7:10 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the La Plata High School located at 6035 Radio Station Road in La Plata, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. 911 callers reported a crossing guard was struck by a vehicle and was possibly...
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3 Displaced and Dog Killed After House Fire in Waldorf

3 Displaced and Dog Killed After House Fire in Waldorf

On Monday, December 1, 2025, at approximately 6:55 a.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the 9900 block of Bunker Hill Road, for the reported house on fire. 911 callers reported a heater was left on with the room currently caught on fire with one dog trapped in the home. Crews arrived...
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Police Investigating 79-Year-Old Accokeek Woman Struck and Killed by Vehicle

Police Investigating 79-Year-Old Accokeek Woman Struck and Killed by Vehicle

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred on Wednesday evening. The victim has been identified as 79-year-old Walter Puma of Accokeek. On November 26, 2025, at approximately 5:15 PM, officers responded to the 300 block of Bryan Point Road for a collision...
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VIDEO: No Injuries Reported After Vehicle Fire in Lexington Park

VIDEO: No Injuries Reported After Vehicle Fire in Lexington Park

On Sunday, November 30, 2025, at approximately 10:20 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services were dispatched to the Quik Shop located at 21265 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park, for the reported vehicle fire threatening the structure. The incident was quickly updated to actually be at the Blimpies, at Three Notch Road and...
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Waldorf Man Arrested in California, MD After Mental Health Crisis; Faces Trespassing, Weapons Charges

Waldorf Man Arrested in California, MD After Mental Health Crisis; Faces Trespassing, Weapons Charges

Isaiah Lynn Washington, 29, of Waldorf, was arrested on November 30, 2025, following a 911 call placed by his mother during a mental health crisis at a residence on Goldenrod Drive in California, Maryland. Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded and arrested Washington after confirming he had multiple active criminal cases....
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15-Year-Old Charged in Connection with Theft, Police Recover Loaded Firearm

15-Year-Old Charged in Connection with Theft, Police Recover Loaded Firearm

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 4:32 p.m., officers responded to Mall Circle Drive in Waldorf, for the report of a theft that just occurred inside a business. Officers located the subject inside a different store and while attempting to arrest the suspect, he resisted but was taken into custody without further incident. Stolen...
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Student Charged After Assaulting Maurice McDonough High School Teacher

Student Charged After Assaulting Maurice McDonough High School Teacher

On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, a school resource officer at Maurice McDonough High School responded to an incident in a classroom. An investigation revealed that a student, age 15, intentionally struck a teacher in the back of the head with a laptop as class was dismissing. The incident occurred after the teacher questioned the...
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Man Flown to Trauma Center After Violent Assault in California; One Suspect Arrested and Firearm Recovered

Man Flown to Trauma Center After Violent Assault in California; One Suspect Arrested and Firearm Recovered

On Monday, November 24, 2025, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of North Patuxent Beach Road and Patuxent Beach Road in California, St. Mary’s County, for a reported assault. According to court documents. Deputies made contact with a male victim who claimed he had been violently attacked inside...
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