Southern Maryland News Net

Man Rescued from Burning Vehicle After Serious Crash in Mechanicsville; Operator Flown to Burn Center

On Saturday, July 18, 2026, at approximately 9:53 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Harper’s Corner Road in Mechanicsville, for the serious motor vehicle collision with a vehicle on fire with occupants trapped. Police arrived on the scene within minutes of dispatch to confirm a single vehicle off the roadway and fully engulfed in flames with the operator trapped inside. Deputies began attempting to remove the victim and utilized...
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UPDATE: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Deputies Save Missing Autistic 9-Year-Old Found in Water – NO Injuries Reported

UPDATE @ 4:07 P.M.: Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office quickly observed the child in the water and jumped in to remove him. Hollywood VFD Ambulance 799 and Medic 103 evaluated the child on the scene, and later obtained care refusal forms from the mother/child. NO injuries are reported. All fire and rescue units have returned to service. UPDATE 7/17/2026: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Deputies located and rescued the child from the water. The child’s condition is...
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Woman Flown to Trauma Center After Golf Cart Crash in Owings

On Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 9:03 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 5900 block of Scaggs Road in Owings, for the serious motor vehicle collision involving a golf cart. Dispatchers advised 911 callers reported a golf cart struck a pole, resulting in one female victim being unconscious and suffering a seizure after being ejected from the vehicle. Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 2 was placed on standby, then pre-launched to land nearby due...
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Washington Woman Arrested After Using Dead Person’s Identity to Buy a $52,000 Mercedes in Waldorf

Louisa Michelene Coles, 48, of Washington, D.C., has been charged with felony theft of $1,500 to less than $25,000, possession or use of a false government identification document, using another person’s identity to avoid identification or prosecution, and felony identity fraud involving property valued from $25,000 to less than $100,000. The charges stem from an attempt to purchase a $52,000 Mercedes-Benz SUV at a Waldorf dealership using the identity and financial information of a recently deceased woman. A Charles...
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Police Investigating Stabbing in Lexington Park, Helicopter Requested for Victim

On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at approximately 10:53 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 21000 block of Springwood Court in Lexington Park, for the reported stabbing. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 48-year-old male suffering from a stab wound to the upperbody. The victim was conscious alert and breathing. Upon consultation with an area trauma center, the patient was approved for aviation transport. The victim told First Responders he wasn’t going to say...
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Police Investigating Death of Teen in California After Reported Medical Emergency

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at approximately 12:43 a.m., police firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 22000 block of Armsworthy Court in California, for the reported one not breathing. 911 callers reported a 14-year-old female was not breathing. Crews arrived on the scene within minutes of dispatch to confirm CPR was in progress. The patient, identified as a teen male, was quickly transported to the MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital with CPR still in progress. Deputies from the...
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Police Investigating Infants Death in Leonardtown After Reported Medical Emergency

On Monday, July 13, 2026, at approximately 4:05 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 39000 block of Lake Cecil Lane in Leonardtown, for the reported infant not breathing. 911 callers reported a 3-month old not breathing with CPR instructions being given. While police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the scene, the St. Mary’s Hospital and Maryland State Police Aviation Command were placed on standby and made aware of the incident. Police arrived on the...
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Lithium Ion Batteries Cause Second Structure Fire in Southern Maryland This Week

On Sunday, July 13, 2026, at approximately 9:10 p.m., firefighters from Charles and Prince George’s County responded to the 4000 block of Ray Drive in La Plata, for the reported structure on fire. 911 callers reported fire coming from the roof with unknown occupants inside. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a large one story machine shop with smoke and fire showing. Crews made entry to find a fire inside the building with extensions to the exterior. A...
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Waldorf Man Struck by Vehicle After Stealing Necklace from Jewelry Store in St. Charles Mall

On June 29, 2026, at 11:27 a.m., a male suspect entered a jewelry store inside St. Charles Town Center and asked to view a necklace. After the employee handed it to him, the suspect fled on foot with the necklace. As he ran through the parking lot, the suspect was struck by a car that did not remain on the scene. Despite being injured, the suspect continued running and escaped the immediate area. While officers were investigating the theft,...
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Lusby Woman With Four Prior Felony Drug Convictions Over 25 Years Faces 13 New Cocaine Charges

Temeka Uganda Mason, 49, of Lusby, faces 13 new cocaine-related charges after Calvert County investigators say she sold cocaine from a home near Patuxent High School and used rental vehicles, social media and other people to support a drug-distribution operation. The new charges include four counts of possessing cocaine, three counts of distributing cocaine within 1,000 feet of school property, three counts of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute near school property, one count of possessing cocaine with intent...
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UPDATE: Suitland Man Arrested on Kidnapping Charge After Posing as a Police Officer and Handcuffing a Woman

UPDATE 7/13/2026: Bryan Neal Gordon, 27, of Suitland, faces charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment, second-degree assault, theft of less than $100, and soliciting prostitution following an investigation into allegations that an adult female victim was handcuffed, assaulted and taken from Charles County to Prince George’s County. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office began investigating after officers responded to Master Suites on Old Washington Road in Waldorf at approximately 3:28 a.m. on June 29, 2026, for a reported kidnapping and sexual...
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Police Investigating Kitten Thrown From Vehicle on Woodrow Wilson Bridge; Cat is Safely Rescue by Officer

On Sunday, July 12, 2026, officers from the Maryland-National Capital Park Police PG Division responded after a citizen reported witnessing an individual attempt to throw a cat from a moving vehicle while crossing the Woodrow Wilson bridge. Thanks to the quick report from the citizen and the swift compassionate response of the officer, the frightened kitten was safely rescued without injury and is now receiving the care it deserves. We commend the citizen for speaking up and our officer...
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Maryland State Police Investigating Triple Fatal Crash in Prince George’s County, Investigators Seeking Vehicle Information

Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred early Sunday morning in Prince George’s County that claimed the lives of three people. On Sunday, July 12, 2026, at approximately 12:45 a.m., Troopers from the Maryland State Police College Park Barrack responded to the area of Route 301 at Governors Park Lane for a report of a crash involving a passenger vehicle and a motorcycle. The preliminary investigation indicates that a black Tesla Model 3 was attempting to...
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No Injuries Reported After Lithium Ion Battery Explodes, Causing Garage Fire in California

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m., firefighters from Bay District Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the 45000 block of Patuxent Lane in California, for the reported explosion investigation. 911 callers reported something exploded in their garage, with no smoke or fire, and no injuries reported. Three minutes later, the incident was upgraded to an explosion, non-dwelling structure fire after callers reported a fire in the garage. Police, emergency medical services, along with firefighters from Bay...
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UPDATE: Speed and Alcohol Factors in Serious Head-on Collision in Valley Lee

UPDATE 7/11/2026: On Friday, July 10, 2026, at approximately 3:55 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services were dispatched to a serious motor vehicle collision in the area of Piney Point Road and Drayden Road. Crews arrived to find two vehicles involved in a head-on collision, with two individuals trapped and one unconscious. The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2017 white Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Robert Lumpkins, 38, of Leonardtown, was traveling northbound on Piney Point Road when it...
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Man With History of Being Found Unconscious in Vehicles Arrested Again in St. Mary’s County

Austin Cameron Darling, 31, of Leonardtown, faces two counts of possessing a controlled substance other than cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, drug-impaired driving and several traffic citations following a July 3, 2026, arrest in Hollywood. He also faces a separate misdemeanor theft charge stemming from an alleged June 17, 2026, incident at a Charlotte...
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Maryland Department of Health Confirms 5 Measles Cases in Residents Following Recent Out-of-State Travel

The Maryland Department of Health confirmed today that five cases of measles have been identified in residents of Central Maryland. These individuals recently traveled together to a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak. All Marylanders should review potential exposure times, watch for symptoms, and confirm they are up to date on...
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Juvenile Arrested in Charles County and Charged as Adult in Armed Robbery Investigation; Firearm Recovered

On July 16, 2026, detectives from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office charged a 16-year-old male in connection with an armed robbery that occurred on July 13 in the area of Post Office Road and Gallery Place in Waldorf. The victim reported that he was walking along the path when the suspects approached him. One...
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Prince George’s County Man Charged in Attempted Burglary and Indecent Exposure Incident; Additional Investigation Ongoing

The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office is investigating multiple incidents that occurred between July 15 and July 16, 2026, involving Moses Ekundayo Olubu, 28, of Prince George’s County. During that time, deputies responded to several calls for service, including a welfare check, an attempted residential burglary, and an indecent exposure incident. Through the initial investigation...
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Police Investigating Strong-Armed Robbery of Citizen in Lexington Park

On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at approximately 11:20 p.m., police responded to the Wawa located at 22530 Three Notch Road in Lexington Park, for the reported robbery. The 911 caller reported they met the suspect at the Wawa to purchase a phone, when the suspect stole the victims money, pushed the victim and then...
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Code Red Air Quality Forecast Statewide Friday Due to Smoke from Canadian Wildfires

A significant wildfire smoke event is expected across Maryland on Friday, with unhealthy air quality forecast statewide and the potential for very unhealthy conditions in the western portion of the state. According to the Maryland Department of the Environment, both ozone and fine-particle pollution are expected to contribute to poor air quality. Code Red,...
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UPDATE: Calvert and Charles County EMS Regrets to Announce Passing of Paramedic Kevin Wells

Charles County Department of Emergency Services shares with great sadness the news of the passing of our former colleague, Kevin Wells. Kevin was a valued member of our team, serving the community as a Part-time Paramedic from 2014 – 2025 and made a lasting impact through his contributions, professionalism, and the relationships he built...
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Search-Warrant Investigation Leads to Drug Charges Against Mechanicsville Man

Gregory Alan Fuchs, 34, of Mechanicsville, faces two counts of possessing a controlled substance other than cannabis, two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended for failing to attend a driver improvement program, driving on a suspended license and driving without the required license and authorization. Fuchs was arrested on July 10, 2026,...
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Police Arrest White Plains Man for Thefts From Lowe’s, LensCrafters and Other Stores, Investigation Leads to Seizure of Guns and Narcotics

David Eugene Gregory, 58, of White Plains, has been charged with two felony counts of theft involving property valued between $1,500 and $25,000 and one felony count of theft scheme involving the same value range following two alleged thefts from a Waldorf optical store. He also faces a separate felony theft-scheme charge in Charles...
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UPDATE: FDA Links Taco Bell Lettuce to Rise in Cyclosporiasis Cases as Parasitic Illness Spreads Nationwide

UPDATE 7/17/2026: The FDA advises do not eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in IN, KY, MI, OH, and WV. FDA’s investigation is ongoing. Taco Bell locations in IN, KY, MI, OH, and WV. Additional states may be added to this advisory as more information becomes available. Taco Bell is...
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Lusby Woman Charged With Assault, Destruction of Phone After Argument Over a Burger King Sandwich

Dajon Paulette Thomas, 29, of Lusby, was charged with second-degree assault and malicious destruction of property valued at $1,000 or more following an alleged domestic assault on July 10, 2026. A Calvert County Sheriff’s Office deputy was sent to Hickory Court in Lusby after the Calvert County Control Center received a call from a...
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Former Adviser to Federal Reserve Board of Governors Sentenced to Federal Prison Term

John Harold Rogers, 64, a former senior adviser for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors (FRB), was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 38 months in federal prison in connection with making false statements to federal investigators about sharing restricted Federal Reserve information with Chinese intelligence operatives, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro....
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North Beach Volunteer Fire Department Celebrates 100 Years of Service with Upcoming August Events

The North Beach Volunteer Fire Department (NBVFD) is proud to announce that it is marking a century of dedicated service, bravery, and community commitment. Founded Aug. 4, 1926, the department has protected lives and property throughout generations, responding to emergencies, fires, and disasters while evolving alongside the community it serves. To honor this historic...
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Lusby Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins Permanently Closes Exactly 20 Years After Opening

Exactly 20 years to the day after opening its doors, the locally owned Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins in Lusby permanently closed on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The multi-brand restaurant opened on July 15, 2006, at 174 Village Center Drive as Calvert County’s first Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins location. The store, stablished by husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Nance Pretto Simmons...
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Data Center Power Demand Expected to Add Billions in Costs Across Maryland and 12 Other States

Electricity demand from rapidly expanding data centers is expected to add approximately $6.3 billion to wholesale power costs across Maryland, 12 other states and the District of Columbia, according to an analysis of PJM Interconnection’s latest capacity auction. PJM, which operates the nation’s largest regional electric grid, announced Tuesday, July 14, 2026, that its...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources – Native Animal Profile: Crayfish

Most of us who have played in shallow water or let our children play in Maryland streams and ponds vividly recall an encounter with a crayfish. It’s usually hiding under a rock, hurriedly scampering along a sandy stream bottom, shooting quickly backwards away from disturbance, or angrily shaking small claws at us as we...
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Police Investigating Another Triple Fatal Crash Involving Motorcycle in Prince George’s County

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a multi-vehicle fatal crash involving a motorcycle that occurred late Tuesday night in Adelphi. The adult male operator of the motorcycle, an adult male driver of another vehicle, and an adult female passenger all died at the scene. Their identities will...
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