Law Enforcement

UPDATE: Mechanicsville Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Stealing Over $409,000 in Government Benefits

UPDATE: Mechanicsville Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Stealing Over $409,000 in Government Benefits

UPDATE 10/15/2020: U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte sentenced Victor Demattia, age 64, of Mechanicsville, Maryland, yesterday to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing more than $400,000 in Civil Service Retirement benefits and Social Security benefits. Judge Messitte also entered an order requiring Demattia to forfeit...
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AUDIO: Police Respond to Large Fights and Disturbances at Big Dogs Paradise and Wawa in Mechanicsville

AUDIO: Police Respond to Large Fights and Disturbances at Big Dogs Paradise and Wawa in Mechanicsville

On Friday, October 9, 2020, at approximately 1:44 a.m., police and emergency medical personnel responded to the Big Dogs Paradise located at 28765 Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville, for a large fight in progress with unknown injuries. Police arrived on the scene to find a large amount of vehicles leaving the area, with no...
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State Fire Marshal Investigating Vehicle Fire in White Plains

State Fire Marshal Investigating Vehicle Fire in White Plains

On Monday, October 12, 2020, at 6:30 a.m., five firefighters from the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department responded to 3819 Tarrington Place in White Plains, for the reported vehicle on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 2006 Ford E-150 fully engulfed in flames. The owner is identified as Luis Bernal, with the...
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Charles County Detectives Seeking Information of Suspect Vehicle Related to Fraud/Theft Scheme Involving 80-Year-Old Victim

Charles County Detectives Seeking Information of Suspect Vehicle Related to Fraud/Theft Scheme Involving 80-Year-Old Victim

Can you identify this van? Detectives are looking for information about this vehicle related to a fraud/theft scheme. Several weeks ago, a suspect contacted an 80-year-old victim and advised that she would need to pay a large sum of cash to get her grandson out of jail. The victim met the suspect at a...
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29-Year-Old Male Flown to Area Trauma Center After Tree Falls on Construction Vehicle and Subject in Waldorf

29-Year-Old Male Flown to Area Trauma Center After Tree Falls on Construction Vehicle and Subject in Waldorf

On Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at approximately 4:36 p.m., fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Davis Road and Proctor Place in Waldorf, for the subject trapped under a tree. The 911 caller reported a large tree fell onto a “Bobcat” with one subject trapped in the construction equipment under the tree....
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U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur Announces More Than $3.6 Million in Federal Department of Justice Grants to Maryland

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur Announces More Than $3.6 Million in Federal Department of Justice Grants to Maryland

U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur today announced $2,505,686 in Department of Justice grants to seven entities in Maryland to fund crime laboratories, decrease DNA backlogs, support basic and applied forensic research, and help law enforcement identify missing persons, as part of $192 million in funding to advance forensic science nationwide. In addition, U.S. Attorney...
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One Injured After Dump Truck Strikes Vehicle and Overturns in Lexington Park

One Injured After Dump Truck Strikes Vehicle and Overturns in Lexington Park

On Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at approximately 11:15 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Willows Road and Colby Drive in Lexington Park, for the motor vehicle collision involving a dump truck. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle in the roadway with a dump truck overturned...
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VIDEO: Impaired Driver Arrested at Scene of Motor Vehicle Collision in California

VIDEO: Impaired Driver Arrested at Scene of Motor Vehicle Collision in California

On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at approximately 9:30 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the intersection of Chancellors Run Road and FDR Boulevard in  California, for the motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles involved. Two adults were transported to an area hospital for their...
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Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Wanted Wednesday

Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Wanted Wednesday

Ashley Nicole Gearheart- subject is wanted for Child Support. Any information on the subject, please contact the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office 410-535-2800 and or Dfc. Chip Ward at 443-532-0603, Sgt Phillip Foote at 443-624-7137 Taylor Nicole White- subject is wanted for Assault. Any information on the subject, please contact the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office...
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One Firefighter Injured and Eight Occupants Displaced After Fire at Assisted Living Facility, Fire Deemed Accidental

One Firefighter Injured and Eight Occupants Displaced After Fire at Assisted Living Facility, Fire Deemed Accidental

On Friday, October 9, 2020, at approximately 9:47 p.m., firefighters responded to 2950 Fern Hill Place in Waldorf, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a two story single family residence that is used as an assisted living facility, with fire showing from the second floor and roof. The...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Identities of Vandalism Suspects in Scotland

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Identities of Vandalism Suspects in Scotland

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the identity of the person pictured as well as three others in a vandalism investigation. On Saturday, September 12, 2020 between 11:58 p.m., and 12:52 a.m., the suspects vandalized a bulletin board at 11617 Point Lookout Road in Scotland. Anyone with information about the identities of...
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Rainier Nazal Dizon Wanted for Failure to Register as Sex Offender

Rainier Nazal Dizon Wanted for Failure to Register as Sex Offender

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the whereabouts of Rainier Nazal Dizon, a lifetime sexual offender, for failure to register. Dizon is a 38-year-old male, with black hair, brown eyes, 5’ 8” tall, weighing 190 lbs. Anyone with information on Dizon’s whereabouts is asked to call Detective Cpl. Melissa Green at 301-475-4200,...
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WAVE Detectives Arrest Beltsville Automotive Repair Shop Owner who Faces 29 Counts of Weapon and Vehicle Theft Related Charges

WAVE Detectives Arrest Beltsville Automotive Repair Shop Owner who Faces 29 Counts of Weapon and Vehicle Theft Related Charges

Detectives assigned to the Washington Area Vehicle Enforcement Unit arrested the owner of a Beltsville automotive repair shop, 30-year-old Herman Guzman, of the 9000 block of Dubarry Avenue in Lanham. Following a lengthy investigation into vehicle thefts, on Wednesday, the investigators executed a search warrant at GR Motorworks on Hanna Street. During that search,...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Hit and Run in Lexington Park, One Transported to Hospital

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Hit and Run in Lexington Park, One Transported to Hospital

On Sunday, October 11, 2020, at approximately 7:30 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Point Lookout Road and Hermanville Road in Lexington Park, for the motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway, with firefighters reporting...
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UPDATE: Southern Maryland Native/Myrtle Beach Police Police Officer Killed in Line of Duty – Expect Traffic Delays for Large Funeral Procession

UPDATE: Southern Maryland Native/Myrtle Beach Police Police Officer Killed in Line of Duty – Expect Traffic Delays for Large Funeral Procession

UPDATE: This upcoming Monday and Tuesday (10/12 & 13/2929), funeral services will be taking place in Charles County for Officer Jacob Hancher, a police officer in Myrtle Beach who was killed in the line of duty on October 3. Officer Hancher was from Charles County and his family still lives in this area. Members of...
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Two Transported to Trauma Center After Golf Cart Rollover in Piney Point

Two Transported to Trauma Center After Golf Cart Rollover in Piney Point

On Saturday, October 10, 2020, at approximately 11:15 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of the Piney Point Post Office in Piney Point, for the motor vehicle collision involving a golf cart with one subject unconscious. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a single golf cart on the shoulder...
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Charles County Speed Camera Program Locations for Week of October 11, 2020

Charles County Speed Camera Program Locations for Week of October 11, 2020

As a reminder, we have withdrawn our Speed Camera Program from schools that are not open and or those that are not being used for critical operations. The Speed Camera Program will operate at schools that are open and or for those dispensing meals and educational supplies for our students. Please drive responsibly, especially...
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Maryland MS-13 Leader Charged with Illegal Firearms Trafficking in Washington, D.C.

Maryland MS-13 Leader Charged with Illegal Firearms Trafficking in Washington, D.C.

Wilber Vigil-Benitez, also known as “Solitario,” of El Salvador, was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, announced Michael R. Sherwin, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; John J. Durham, Director, Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV); Robert E. Bornstein, Acting Special Agent...
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UPDATE: State’s Attorney, Richard Fritz Make Statement After Drug Dealer with Stolen Handgun was Released a Few Hours After Arrest

UPDATE: State’s Attorney, Richard Fritz Make Statement After Drug Dealer with Stolen Handgun was Released a Few Hours After Arrest

UPDATE 10/10/2020: When asked about the release of Tyquan Samuel Wills. Sr., State’s Attorney, Richard Fritz provided SMNEWSNET with the following Quotes. “This office has been complaining about the bonding process for years. Between the Maryland legislature and the courts, it is most difficult to hold anyone except the most violent criminals in jail....
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Eagle Scout Project Creates Safe Exchange Locations at St. Mary’s County Headquarters and District One Station

Eagle Scout Project Creates Safe Exchange Locations at St. Mary’s County Headquarters and District One Station

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office now hosts two Safe Exchange locations thanks to the efforts of Jaden Arnold and his crew for his Eagle Scout project. The designated Safe Exchange parking spots are now located at the Sheriff’s Office District 1 Station in Charlotte Hall and at the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters in Leonardtown....
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Robbery of Citizen at California Wawa

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Robbery of Citizen at California Wawa

On October 8, 2020, a victim responded to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters in Leonardtown, to report a robbery that occurred earlier in the day at the Wawa located at 23141 Three Notch Road in California. The victim advised at approximately 10:15 a.m. while parked at the Wawa, an unknown male opened...
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Maryland State Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle/Pedestrian Collision in Waldorf That Killed 31-Year-Old Man

Maryland State Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle/Pedestrian Collision in Waldorf That Killed 31-Year-Old Man

UPDATE 10/8/2020: On Thursday, October 8, 2020, the pedestrian was positively identified as John Joseph Noel II, 31, of no fixed address. 10/7/2020: On Wednesday, October 07, 2020, at approximately 3:55 a.m., Troopers from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded for a report of a serious motor vehicle collision on US Route...
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Board of Public Works Approves Funding for Green Infrastructure Projects in Anne Arundel and St. Mary’s County

Board of Public Works Approves Funding for Green Infrastructure Projects in Anne Arundel and St. Mary’s County

The Board of Public Works today approved funding for two Resiliency through Restoration projects and one Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund grant, to help Maryland’s communities enhance their ability to withstand the impacts of climate change, erosion, flooding and extreme weather.  The Board approved the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) granting $200,000 to control stormwater...
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Governor Hogan, Maryland State Police Announce All Aviation Command Bases Will Remain Open

Governor Hogan, Maryland State Police Announce All Aviation Command Bases Will Remain Open

Governor Larry Hogan and Maryland State Police (MSP) Superintendent Colonel Woodrow Jones III today announced that all Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) bases will remain open. In July, due to the anticipated fiscal challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Public Works approved budget reductions associated with closing one MSPAC base....
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One Injured After Vehicle Collides with Semi-Trailer in Mechanicsville

One Injured After Vehicle Collides with Semi-Trailer in Mechanicsville

On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at approximately 12:35 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Friendship School Road in Mechanicsville, for the motor vehicle collision reported serious. Crews arrived on the scene to find a Chevrolet pickup truck and a semi-truck with a flatbed log trailer...
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