Timothy B. Jacobs

On January 28, 2014 Fire department units responded to a dwelling fire at 6291 McKendree Road, Dunkirk, Md. 20754. First arriving units encountered a single family residence with heavy fire coming from the rear and roof of the dwelling. The sole occupant of the house was located in the front yard of the residence and transported to Anne Arundel Medical Center for evaluation.

Fire Investigators continued their investigation and on February 14, 2014 charges were sought against the occupant, Mr. Timothy B. Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs was charged with 1st Degree Arson, 2nd Degree Arson, Malicious Destruction of Property, Disorderly Conduct, and Reckless Endangerment. Mr. Jacobs was taken into custody on these charges on February 17 and is currently being held without bond.

Last night, within a 2 hour span, three bicyclists were injured in two separate accidents. The more serious of the two was in Davidsonville. Police are currently looking for a vehicle that allegedly hit the cyclists and then left the scene.

Davidsonville Accident

On February 22, 2014, at approximately 5:09 p.m., officers from the Traffic Safety Section responded to westbound Central Avenue at the Patuxent River Road in Davidsonville for a report of a crash involving two (2) bicyclists.

The investigation revealed that the bicyclists were traveling west on Central Avenue approaching the Patuxent River Bridge. The bicyclists were on or near the roadway edge line when Bicyclist #1 was struck by a light colored SUV that failed to remain at the scene. The striking vehicle fled west on Central Avenue into Prince Georges County.

Bicyclist #2 was riding immediately behind Bicyclist #1 and as a result of the collision between the car and Bicyclist #1, Bicyclist #2 also crashed. After the collision, the bike ridden by Bicyclist #1 came to rest in the roadway and was struck by a 2005 Chevy Impala.

Evidence recovered from the scene indicates that the fleeing vehicle is a Honda SUV. Witnesses describe the vehicle as light in color (possible silver or white) driven by a W/M 50 to 60 years of age with a grey mustache and dark glasses.

Bicyclist #1, Ms. Kristianson was transported to University of Maryland Shock Trauma where she is listed in critical, but stable condition. Bicyclist #2, Ms. Neel was transported to Washington Hospital Center where she was later released. The driver of the Chevy Impala sustained no injuries.

The primary cause of this crash is driver error. The driver failed to yield to the bicyclists lawfully using the roadway. Speed does not appear to be a factor in the collision. Witness report that sun glare may have been a factor at the time of the collision.

Anyone with information about this crash is asked to call the Traffic Safety Section at 410-222-8573. 

Bicyclist #1:   Lynn Carol Kristianson, 62, of Arlington, Virginia.

Injuries:         Critical, but stable

Bicyclist #2:   Maile Catherine Neel, 52, of University Park, Maryland

Injuries:         Non-life threatening, released from hospital

Vehicle/Suspect #1:  Unknown Honda SUV – Light colored, possibly silver or white

Driver:                       White male 50 to 60 years of age, with grey mustache. – Fled scene west bound on Central Avenue

Vehicle #2                  2005 Chevy Impala, MD 3AJ8698

Owner/Driver:          Tierra Lesley Harris, 21, of Oxon Hill, Maryland

Severna Park Accident

On February 22, 2014 at approximately 6:30 p.m. officers responded to the area of Ritchie Highway and Leelyn Drive for a report of an accident involving a bicyclist.

Upon their arrival, they observed a 14 year old male suffering from injuries sustained when he was struck by a car. The investigation revealed that several juveniles riding bicycles attempted to cross the northbound lanes of Ritchie Highway at Leelyn Drive against a red traffic signal.

The other juveniles in the group reported that they were attempting to cross when they observed a vehicle approaching. They advised they stopped. They further advised that the victim, a 14 year-old male, did not stop and was attempting to beat the car across when he was struck. He suffered injuries to his lower body and was transported by Medavac to Johns Hopkins Pediatrics for further evaluation. His injuries were not considered life threatening.

The primary cause of this accident is bicyclist error. No further information available.

Source: AACoPD

On February 24, 2014, at approximately 3:21 p.m., officers from the Traffic Safety Section responded to the 1700 block of Chesapeake Drive in Edgewater for a report of a crash involving a pedestrian.

The investigation revealed that the pedestrian, Lee Sheila Mahoney, 73, of Edgewater,  was walking down the hill on Chesapeake Drive when a parked 2010 Ford Mustang began to drift driverless down the hill behind her. The vehicle then struck the pedestrian from behind and came to rest on top of her. The owner of the vehicle saw his vehicle moving down the hill and ran from a house to retrieve it. Unbeknownst to the vehicle owner, the female pedestrian was under the vehicle. The owner then started the vehicle and began to back the vehicle up while the female pedestrian was underneath. Emergency personnel transported the pedestrian to Anne Arundel Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the primary cause of this crash is driver error. The driver failed park the vehicle with its wheels turned properly towards the curb with the parking brake set. The investigation is ongoing and being conducted by members of the Traffic Safety Section. Investigators will be consulting with the State’s Attorney’s Office, which is customary in fatal crash investigations.

Source: AACoPD

On February 18, 2014, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Southern District Tactical Patrol Detectives conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle for driving over the road lines on Mayo Road at Route 2. The detectives approached the driver of the vehicle, identified themselves as police officers along with explaining the reason for the stop and requesting identification.

When detectives advised the suspect to turn the ignition off, the driver suddenly threw the vehicle into reverse and turned the wheels toward two detectives. The detectives were able to jump out of the way and avoid being hit. The suspect put the vehicle in drive and veered to the left, nearly striking another detective who also had to jump out of the way. The suspect continued down Route 2 at a high rate of speed. Police searched the area for the suspect vehicle, but were unable to locate it. Detectives were able to identify the suspect through additional investigation as Dirk Terrell Jr., 24, of 901 Royal Street in Annapolis. Detectives applied for and received an arrest warrant charging Terrell with three counts of Attempt Second Degree Murder, First Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment as well as seventeen traffic charges.

On February 24, 2014, Southern Tactical Patrol Detectives with the assistance of the Special Enforcement Team were able to locate the suspect at the Best Western Hotel located in the 2500 block of Riva Road in Annapolis in a room on the first floor. Detectives set up covert surveillance on the hotel room and subsequently were able to obtain a search and seizure warrant for the room. At approximately 5:08 p.m., members of the Special Operations Section forced entry into the room and took Dirk Terrell into custody along with a second suspect, later identified as Rashad Shashid Snowden, 26, of 1135 Madison Street in Annapolis.

Detectives discovered that Snowden had an open warrant for his arrest for failure to appear. A further search of Snowden revealed a baggie containing approximately 25.2 grams of suspected crack cocaine with an approximate street value of $2,500. In addition, detectives found another baggie containing approximately 4.6 grams of suspected high grade marijuana valued around $100. Snowden was charged with Possession Crack Cocaine, Possession of Crack Cocaine with the intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana and False Statement to Police Officer upon arrest. Dirk Terrell Jr. also had three additional arrest warrants.

Source: AACoPD

Joseph Walker, 40, shot and killed 36-year-old Joseph Harvey Jr, after an altercation on the shoulder of I-97

On June 9, 2013, Detective Joseph Walker, an 18-year law enforcement veteran, was traveling home to New Jersey in the family minivan with his wife and three young children from a trip near Annapolis, Maryland. As described in court filings, while making a left hand turn to enter onto a highway, the driver of another vehicle perceived that Det. Walker had cut him off.  In response, the driver, Joseph Harvey, who was white, began shouting obscenities, threats, and racial epithets at Det.Walker and his family, who are African-American.

Eventually, Det. Walker pulled off the road to let the other car drive on and abruptly came to rest on the shoulder. But the other vehicle also pulled over and stopped 164 feet ahead of Det. Walker’s minivan.

Harvey and his passenger, Adam Pidel, left Harvey’s car and charged at the Walker family’s minivan.  Pidel later confirmed to police that Harvey was intent on assaulting Det. Walker. As the two men approached the minivan, Det. Walker stepped out of his minivan and remained by his family. As this occurred, Det. Walker’s wife called 911 for help.

When Harvey and Pidel continued advancing towards him, Det. Walker drew his weapon and ordered them to stop, identifying himself as a police officer.  When Harvey did not comply, Det. Walker discharged his weapon, striking Harvey, whose body was found by the police no more than 6 feet from the Walkers’ minivan.  Pidel was unharmed.

In their motion filed today with the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, Det. Walker’s attorneys detail how the assistant state’s attorney and the Maryland state trooper, who led the investigation, presented materially false and misleading testimony to the Grand Jury. To ensure that the Grand Jury indicted Det. Walker for First Degree Murder, defense attorneys allege that the assistant state’s attorney and trooper also purposely withheld from the Grand Jury critical facts from the Grand Jury’s inquiry.  Det. Walker’s lawyers maintain that some, but not all, of the instances of misconduct are as follows:

• The trooper testified that Harvey and Pidel had “had lunch” immediately prior to the shooting but omitted the fact that Harvey and Pidel had been drinking for four hours at a restaurant, and Harvey was later found to be legally intoxicated at the time he threatened Det. Walker.
• The assistant state’s attorney and trooper falsely stated to the Grand Jury that “after the first shot, all the witnesses who have provided statements indicate that the victim, Mr. Harvey, was standing still and had his hands up,” suggesting he was surrendering.  Five of the seven witnesses who provided statements did not see the shooting and did not say that Harvey had stopped his advance towards Det. Walker or raised his hands. As detailed in the motion, the account of one of the two remaining witnesses who did observe the shooting was internally inconsistent, and the second witness’s account contradicted the inconsistent accounts of that first witness.  Moreover, neither of those two witnesses concluded that Harvey had raised his hands to surrender.
• The trooper falsely testified that none of the wounds suffered by Harvey showedevidence of being fired at close range.  He failed to inform the Grand Jury that Harvey’s body was found 6 feet from the Walker family’s minivan, where Det. Walker was standing when he fired the shots.  He failed to include the critical fact that Harvey traversed a distance of approximately 158 feet, during which time Det. Walker exercised total restraint, and only discharged his weapon when he had no other recourse.
• The trooper falsely testified that Det. Walker “did not make any statements.”   In fact, Det. Walker provided a statement to an officer with the Anne Arundel County Police Department who responded to the scene. In that statement, Det. Walker said that he feared for his life and the lives of his family prior to shooting Harvey.  The substance of Det. Walker’s statement was disclosed to the trooper five weeks before the trooper testified before the Grand Jury.
• The assistant state’s attorney and the trooper intentionally withheld other critical facts from the Grand Jury including, but not limited to, Pidel’s admission to law enforcement personnel that Harvey purposely stopped his car, left it and advanced on the Walkers’ minivan to assault Det. Walker.

Det. Walker’s attorneys ask the Court to dismiss the Indictment based on this prosecutorial misconduct.

In a second motion filed separately with the Circuit Court, Det. Walker seeks to admit the results of a polygraph examination, which he passed on February 12, 2014.  These results convincingly demonstrate that Det. Walker was truthful when he stated that he acted in self-defense in discharging his service weapon on the day of the shooting.

Since the shooting, Det. Walker has been suspended without pay, and is unable to pay for the legal costs and expenses to defend himself against the murder charge which carries a sentence of life imprisonment.  As a result, Det. Walker is being assisted with the payment of legal fees and expenses by both the National Police Defense Foundation, led by Executive Director Joseph Occhipinti, and by the New Jersey State Policeman’s Benevolent Association, led by President Anthony Wieners.

Maryland State Police have charged two people from Virginia and are seeking two others in connection with their use of fraudulent casino chips in unrelated incidents at an Anne Arundel County casino last month.

Those charged are identified as Rosa A. Nguyen, 36, and her husband, Vuong Q. Truong, 37, both of Annandale, VA. Nguyen is charged with one count of theft between $1,000 and $10,000, and two counts of conspiracy to commit theft between $1,000 and $10,000. Truong is charged with four counts of committing a theft scheme and one count of conspiracy to commit theft. A court commissioner issued criminal summonses for both and they were served on February 19, 2014. Both signed the summonses, which is not an admission of guilt, but indicates their consent to appear in court.

The investigation began January 20, 2014, when Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division investigators were called to the Maryland Live! Casino in Hanover, for a report of counterfeit poker chips being disseminated in the casino. Officials at Maryland Live! reported they had descriptions of four suspects who had passed counterfeit $100 poker chips on two occasions.

Maryland State Police investigators enlisted the assistance of the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, the Virginia State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations. Their investigation resulted in the issuance of search warrants that were served by Virginia State Police on February 19, 2014, in the Northern Virginia area. Further investigation revealed Rosa Nguyen allegedly purchased $150,000 worth of counterfeit casino chips via the Internet for $12,000. The chips were then altered to appear similar to Maryland Live! Casino chips.

Investigators learned many of the counterfeit chips had been discarded by one of the suspects in Lake Accotink, in Springfield, VA, not far from the suspects’ home. Fortunately for police, the chips floated. Investigators were able to recover about $115,000 worth of the counterfeit casino chips from Lake Accotink.

Police are seeking charges against two additional suspects in an unrelated case of fraudulent chip use at Maryland Live! Investigators believe these two suspects, a boyfriend and girlfriend also from Northern Virginia, obtained $1 chips from a West Virginia casino and altered them to appear as $100 chips from Maryland Live! The investigation is continuing.

Source: MSP

Jason Alexander Webb, 26, of 700 block Childs Point Road, Annapolis, Md

In October of 2013, the Anne Arundel County Police Department along with the Department of Social Services received a report of sexual child abuse. It was alleged that a 26-year-old martial arts instructor at East Coast Martial Arts in Edgewater, Maryland, was having sexual relations with a minor who he met during martial arts classes. During the course of the investigation, it was revealed the suspect began the relationship with the victim in July of 2013 and it continued over a period of several months. The suspect in this case was interviewed regarding the allegations and it was learned that he had inappropriate sexual contact with the 14-year-old female victim on several occasions at his residence in Annapolis.

This case was presented to the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office who requested the Anne Arundel County Police Department charge the suspect in this case. An Application for a Statement of Charges was presented to the District Court Commissioner who issued an arrest warrant charging the suspect with Child Abuse, Sex Abuse of a Minor, Third and Fourth Degree Sex Offenses and Second Degree Assault. The suspect turned himself in on February 20, 2014. Anyone with any additional information on the suspect or who may have been a victim is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 410-222-3566.

Suspect: Jason Alexander Webb, 26, of 700 block Childs Point Road, Annapolis, Md

Source: AACoPD

An Anne Arundel County jury this afternoon found Michael Stahlnecker guilty of First-Degree Murder and Use of a Handgun in a Felony in the November 2012 killing of John Patrick Ryan, State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess announced.

Leitess, who prosecuted the case, will seek a sentence of life without parole. Sentencing is scheduled for May 6 before Judge Pamela North in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis. Stahlnecker, 51, of Crofton, remains held without bond.

“John Patrick Ryan’s murder was senseless,” Leitess said. “It was for greed – over a petty disagreement. His murder has devastated so many families, and left behind a 30-year-old wife and two young children.”

Members of the Frederick County Maryland Narcotics Task Force began an investigation into Ryan four months before his death after receiving a reliable tip that he was involved in a large-scale marijuana operation in Maryland and California. In October 2012, investigators tapped Ryan’s cell phone and identified Stahlnecker as a close associate.

That month, investigators followed Ryan to California, where they determined he and Stahlnecker had checked in and out of a hotel together.

About one month later, investigators tracked Ryan to a Laurel warehouse leased by Stahlnecker. Investigators observed Ryan and Stahlnecker meeting at a restaurant in Laurel. The pair later returned to the warehouse until just after 6 p.m., when they were seen exiting with small bags in hand.

Investigators became suspicious two days later when all incoming calls to Ryan’s cell phone began directly going to voicemail. Investigators confirmed with the wireless carrier that the phone was powered off, which was out of character for Ryan. It was determined that Ryan did not show up for an appointment. He would later miss a flight to San Francisco.

Ryan’s wife reported her husband missing on November 29. Stahlnecker told police he hadn’t seen Ryan for a month, which investigators knew to be false.

Three days later, police served a search warrant at Stahlnecker’s warehouse, where they located a spent shell casing and what was determined to be Ryan’s blood near the rear loading dock of the business. The blood appeared to have been sprayed down in an attempt to clean it up. A broom also was located, which contained Ryan’s blood.

Ryan’s car was located the following day in Montgomery County. His body was found in the trunk. He had been shot twice in the head. His cell phone, wallet and a floor mat of the vehicle were missing. A pound of marijuana and $1,000 in cash was found next to Ryan’s body.

Leitess thanked Maryland State Police Cpl. Jonathan Martin and Sgt. Richard Bachtell, Sgt. Brian Elliott of the Frederick County Office Narcotics Task Force, FBI Special Agent Richard Fennern and Homeland Security for their hard work and assistance with this case.

On 02-26-2014, at approximately 2:14 p.m., officers from the Northern District responded to the Sears Store at the Marley Station Mall, 7900 Ritchie Highway South in Glen Burnie for a reported Check Subject call.

Upon arrival, officers met with an employee, who said after they detained a person for shoplifting, he displayed a knife to the employees. In an attempt to flee the store, the suspect swung the knife at one of the employees which resulted in a small laceration to his head. The suspect then fled from the store in an awaiting vehicle. The store employee was treated on scene by responding medical personnel. Officers searched the area but did not locate the suspect.

The suspect is described as a white male in his 30’s, 5’08” to 5’10” with a medium build, fair complexion with black short hair and unshaven wearing navy blue jeans/pants, blue/red/white plaid shirt, black shoes, black Orioles baseball cap. Anyone with information is asked to call the Northern District Detective unit at 410-222-6135 or Metro Crime Stoppers listed below.

Source: AACoPD

Anne Arundel County police are investigating a body discovered this morning in the Bestgate Road Park located off of Bestgate Road.  Police say a woman was found deceased and there is no sign of trauma. The Office of the Medical Examiner is enroute.

Developing.

On Friday, February 28, 2014 at approximately 12:19 p.m., officers from the Southern District responded to the Bestgate Recreation Park located in the 700 block of Bestgate Road, Annapolis Maryland for an unattended death.  A citizen walking their dog discovered the deceased body of a white female lying in a ravine behind a sediment pond.

The deceased was identified as Diane Donati, 48 years old; an address is unknown at this time.

Anne Arundel County Criminal Investigation Detectives responded to investigate the incident.  Donati was fully clothed and dressed appropriately for cold weather and even had a blue blanket wrapped around her.  Due to the condition and location of the blue blanket it appeared she had draped it over her shoulders in an effort to keep warm.  Detectives are urging anyone who may have seen this Donati to contact Detective Regina Collier at 410-222-3417.

A forensic investigator from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner responded to assist in the investigation.  Preliminary examination of  Donati revealed no outward signs trauma or foul play.  The investigation is ongoing.

Around 1:00 a.m. this morning, the Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to a reported vehicle fire in the 300 block of Old Riverside Road in the Brooklyn area of Anne Arundel County. Upon arrival, firefighters found a 2003 Cadillac SUV at that location fully engulfed in fire.  It took less than 15 minutes to bring the fire under control.  Fire Investigators who were summoned to the scene have conducted a preliminary investigation into the cause and determined the cause of the fire to be incendiary in nature. Investigators also have reason to believe that an individual involved in this incident suffered burns to their hands, upper body and face. The Fire Department is asking anyone with any information relating to this event to contact investigators at 410-222-TIPS (8477) or arsontip@aacounty.org.

Source: AACoFD

On February 28, 2014, the School Resource Officer assigned to Annapolis High School received a video from an anonymous source showing an Annapolis High School student being assaulted in the community. SRO Gamble located and interviewed the victim, confirming the victim attends Annapolis High School. The investigation determined the victim was assaulted and robbed on Monday, February 3, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. while he was visiting a friend in the 800 block of Coachway in Annapolis. The assault and robbery took place in the front yard of the residence, and the suspects recorded the incident on video.

A total of three suspects were involved in the robbery, and the victim was familiar with each of them. One suspect called the victim prior to the incident to determine the victim’s location, and the victim provided the address of the friend’s house where he was visiting. A short time later, a vehicle containing three people, including the person who originally called the victim, arrived to the residence. The suspect called the victim again and asked the victim to come outside. The victim complied and was almost immediately assaulted by a suspect, later identified as Rodell Hall Pinckney.

Pinckney forcibly removed the victim’s shoes and jacket. The shoes were thrown in a wooded area and the jacket was placed inside the suspect’s vehicle. Pinckney hit the victim in the head with a small wooden object, and repeatedly slapped, punched and taunted the victim as the other three accomplices encouraged Pinckney to continue the assault. The accomplices also taunted the victim as Pinckney kicked the victim while the victim was lying prone on the ground. The accomplices stood over the victim, threatening him and preventing his escape.

The victim did not report the assault and robbery prior to February 28, 2014. His parents were informed of the incident during the course of the investigation. On February 28, 2014, an arrest warrant was issued for Pinckney.
Suspect: Rodell Hall Pinckney, 19, of 610 Wayward Drive, Annapolis, Maryland, charged with Robbery; Conspiracy to Commit Robbery; 2nd Degree Assault; Conspiracy to Commit 2nd Degree Assault; Reckless Endangerment; Conspiracy to Commit Reckless Endangerment and a weapon violation.

Pinckney remained at large until March 5, 2014, when he was arrested at the conclusion of a vehicular pursuit initiated by the Annapolis Police Department. Pinckney was in a stolen 2008 Acura TL when officers attempted to stop the car. The driver fled along I-97 before losing control and crashing the vehicle near Maryland Route Three.

On March 5, 2014, an arrest warrant was issued for Ryan Jospeph Cahouet and he was taken into custody on March 7, 2014.

Suspect 2: Ryan Joseph Cahouet, 18, 113 Chesapeake Ave, Annapolis Maryland, charged with Conspiracy to commit 2nd degree assault, telephone misuse, and reckless endangerment.

On March 5, 2014, a second co-conspirator in the robbery was arrested without incident by the School Resource Officer at South River High School. This suspect, a 15-year-old from Annapolis, was charged with Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery and Theft under $1,000. He was cited and released to a parent.

Late last evening, Twitter and Facebook came alive with reports of shots fired at the Cinemark Egyptian Cinemas at Arundel Mills Mall.

We found the first report of a shooting:

NIGGAS SHOOTING AT ARUNDEL MILLS !!!

— Chris Huie ⛄ (@ItsThatKid_Huie) March 9, 2014

And it was quickly retweeted and shared by many.

Shots fired inside of Cinemark Egyptian 24 at Arundel Mills.

— Aaron Pauley (@AMPs_Randomness) March 9, 2014

Someone shot up the movies at Arundel mills

Omfg we were just at Arundel mills and someone got shot holy fucking shit

— Kaitlin Barnard (@katebarnard4) March 9, 2014

And of course the speculation began.

By 10:38pm, the Anne Arundel County Police Department was alive on Twitter trying to quell the storm…

NO confirmation of shooting at #ArundelMills. Heavy Police presence related to call for shots fired. NO victims of gunshots. No (1/2)

— Anne Arundel Police (@AACOPD) March 9, 2014

evidence of shooting. (2/2)

— Anne Arundel Police (@AACOPD) March 9, 2014

But sometimes, the reports of the storm can overshadow the actual event. As Justin Fenton of the Baltimore Sun pointed out, the police were outnumbered.

.@FOXBaltimore tweet of possible shots fired at Arundel Mills: 225 retweets. @AACOPD tweet that no one was shot: 75 retweets

— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) March 9, 2014

As of this writing, the @AACOPD tweet (above) had 125 re-tweets and the @FoxBaltimore tweet had been shared 293 times.

Fox 45 is hearing reports that there may have been a shooting at Arundel Mills Mall. Fox is headed to the scene, stay tuned for more info

— FOX Baltimore (@FOXBaltimore) March 9, 2014

And of course, it doesn’t help the police that @FoxBaltimore has 31,653 followers to their 10,085.

In the end, police have confirmed that the “shooting” was indeed not a shooting, but someone lighting off a type of fireworks inside the theater. While still illegal and potentially dangerous, thankfully it was not a shooting and the Fire Marshall’s office is investigating.

Many on Twitter were critical of the response (go on, search twitter for “Arundel Mills” and see) by police once the crowd recognized that it was not a shooting. However, we only need to remember January 25th, when two people were gunned down in the Columbia Mall less than fifteen miles away to realize that the police response to an unknown situation was wholly appropriate!

We also need to realize that social media is a terrific tool for instant news and feedback. Media entities can get photographs and first hand accounts of what is happening–but only if they are accurate. No one is without mistakes (and we have made our share as well), but this incident is a great example of verifying information before spreading it around. And if it is unverified, make sure you pass that tidbit along if possible.

Finally, if you are active on the social media channels, understand that the authorities (police, fire, public works, emergency preparedness, etc) are all very active here in the area as well and they will always be a valid source for you. The information may not be as immediate (or as misinformed) as the speculation, but once there is information to be had–they will be on it! The initial reports came in at 10:11pm and by 10:38pm–27 minutes later, the facts were in, but the genie had already been let out of the bottle.

 

On March 8, 2014 at approximately 10:39 p.m., officers of the Western District were dispatched to the area of MD. Rt. 198 and Race Track Road for a report of a crash involving a motorcycle and a SUV.  Due to the severity of the injuries officers from the Traffic Safety Section responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

Preliminary investigation revealed that two motorcycles were traveling west on MD. Rt. 198 from Brock Bridge Road.  As the motorcycles approached the intersection with Race Track Road, an Isuzu Rodeo, being operated by Ira Matthews, was making a left turn onto Race Track Road.  One of the motorcycles struck the side of the Isuzu, ejecting the rider of the motorcycle, a juvenile white male.  The Isuzu continued through the intersection and came to rest on Race Track Road.  The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the Isuzu was flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.  The other motorcycle fled the scene without stopping.

The motorcycle that was involved in the crash was reported stolen through Howard County Police.

Excessive speed appears to be factor in this crash.  The Traffic Safety Section will be completing the investigation.

Source: AACoPD

Two separate fires yesterday injured 4 people, damaged a home and a barn.

Glen Burnie

Just before 1:20 am on March 9, 2014, the Anne Arundel County Fire Department received calls reporting a dwelling fire in the 7300 block of Dotson Lane in Glen Burnie.  Initial arriving units found heavy smoke and fire coming from the basement and first floor of a 2-story single family dwelling.  The assignment was upgraded to a Working Fire Dispatch, bringing approximately 35 personnel to the scene.  The fire was brought under control in about an hour.

There were three occupants in the dwelling at the time of the fire.  They were alerted by the smoke detectors in the home and self-evacuated prior to the arrival of the fire department.  Two of the occupants were transported to area hospitals.  The first victim is a 25-year-old female who was suffering from smoke inhalation.  She was transported with serious but non-life-threatening injuries to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.  The second victim is a 66-year-old female who was transported with minor injuries to Baltimore-Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie.  The injuries were sustained when she self-evacuated from a second-story window.  Two Firefighters were also transported to Baltimore-Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie for evaluation.

The fire was determined to be accidental in nature, and damage to the dwelling is estimated at $65,000.

Lothian

At 3:55 pm on Saturday March 9, 2014, the Anne Arundel County Fire Department 911 center received a call reporting a barn on fire in the 5900 block of Talbot Road in Lothian.  Prior to units arriving on location, additional calls were received reporting heavy fire and smoke, and the assignment was upgraded to a Working Fire Dispatch.

Initial units arriving on location found a 30’ x 40’ barn fully engulfed in flames, with fire extending to a trailer parked next to the barn.  It took 30 personnel from Anne Arundel County Fire Department as well as mutual aid units from Calvert and Prince George’s Counties approximately 10 minutes to bring the fire under control.  Two boys, ages 10 and 12 were treated on scene by paramedics, but neither was transported to the hospital.

Damage as a result of the fire is estimated at $10,000.  The cause of the fire was determined to be as a result of the juveniles playing with matches.  Neither juvenile was charged as a result of the incident.

Source: AACoFD

Gregory Dontae Lewis

On October 31, 2013, at approximately 7:45 p.m.., officers from the Western District responded to a parking lot in the 7400 block of Railroad Avenue in Harmans for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers and fire personnel located a male victim in his 40’s suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the upper body. The victim was initially being transported to an area trauma center, but was then transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Investigators from the Homicide Unit responded to the scene and assumed responsibility for the investigation. Preliminary investigation indicated that this was a targeted incident. It appears the male suspect and the male victim met up at this location. During the encounter, the suspect displayed a gun and shot the victim in the upper body in an apparent attempted robbery. A male witness, who was accompanying the victim, fled from the scene unharmed. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown vehicle. The victim was identified as 44-year-old Rene Filsfdelfo Leiva-Archila of Baltimore.

UPDATE:

During the last several months, Anne Arundel County Homicide Detectives worked tirelessly sorting through mounds of evidence. Evidence was pieced together from the crime scene coupled with multiple forensic examinations of evidence secured from search warrants and a suspect was identified in the homicide/robbery of Mr. Archila.

In working in conjunction with the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office, on Friday, March 7, 2014, an Anne Arundel County Grand Jury indicted Gregory Dontae Lewis, 34, of 700 Block Cecil Avenue North Unit 2, Millersville, Maryland, with the following:

• Count One: First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, and Manslaughter
• Count Two: Armed Robbery
• Count Three: Use of a Firearm in a Felony
• Count Four: Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence
• Count Five:  Possession of a Shotgun after having been Convicted of a Crime of  Violence

On Friday, March 7, 2014, at 11:11 a.m., Detectives from the Special Enforcement Section located Gregory Lewis in a parking lot in the 7000 block of Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Lewis was taken into custody without incident. The investigation revealed Gregory Lewis lured Mr. Archila to the 7400 block of Railroad Avenue in Harmans as a ruse to a fictional Craigslist Ad to purchase a car. During the apparent robbery attempt, Gregory Lewis shot and killed Mr. Archila.

As the investigation continues to unfold we urge anyone with information on this incident to contact Detective Vince Carbonaro of the Homicide Unit at 410-222-3566 or Metro Crime Stoppers. Citizens arranging to purchase items online through Craigslist or through other online advertisements should remember the following safety tips:

• Prior to meeting an online seller, get a name and telephone number
• When responding to a location to buy an online item, park in a high traffic area, preferably during daylight hours and have an adult witness accompany you
• Prior to meeting the seller, tell family and friends where you are going and the time you plan to meet
• Keep a cell phone nearby
• If it seems too good to be true from the beginning, it probably is. Trust your gut

“This case took several months and highlights both the dedication and the patience on the part of detectives who continued to vigorously pursue every piece of evidence and information until and indictment was secured”, said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis. “I am extremely proud of the work these detectives did and remain grateful for our partnership with Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office who we collaborated with throughout this lengthy case.”

“It is because of the close partnership my office has with the Anne Arundel County Police Department that we can move forward in this matter from the initial investigation to charging and now on to prosecution in the homicide of Mr. Archila”, said Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess. “The ability of my office and the Police Department to work as a team in preparing a case of this magnitude is invaluable.”

Source: AACoPD

UPDATE:  The Capital is reporting that the victim of this murder is Benjamin Kirby, Jr. Kirby is reportedly 41 years old and the mini-van/taxi that was left unoccupied belongs to Kirby.  

Anne Arundel County police are on the scene of what is being called a homicide near Honeysuckle Lane and Generals Highway in Crownsville.

Police were called to the scene at 6:00am to check on an unoccupied vehicle with the doors left open.  Officers determined there were signs of a struggle and located a body nearby. The body appears to have suffered trauma to the upper body.

Honeysuckle Lane is closed off in both directions while police investigate.

On March 12, 2014, at approximately 12:37 a.m., officers from the Western District responded to the Baltimore Washington Auto Outlet located in the 2700 block of Annapolis Road in Hanover for a burglar alarm.

Upon arriving, officers discovered that the business had been burglarized. Suspects were still on scene and fled on foot. One of the suspects ran to a red 2005 Chevrolet Corvette parked on Ballentine Way adjacent to the business. It was determined that the Corvette had been stolen from the business. The suspect then drove towards an officer, who was outside of his patrol vehicle, causing a second officer to discharge his department-issued service weapon at the vehicle, fearing for the safety of the first officer. It is unknown if the suspect/driver was struck. The Corvette fled south on 295. Members of the Criminal Investigation Division responded to the scene and have assumed responsibility for the investigation.

Aside from the stolen Corvette, it was also determined that a silver-colored 2007 Mercedes Benz CL 550 was also stolen from the business, indicating the possibility of additional suspect(s). The officer who discharged his service weapon, a three-year veteran of the force assigned to the Patrol Services Bureau, has been placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Criminal Investigation Division at 410-222-3566.

Suspects: Two black males wearing masks. One suspect was wearing a white shirt

Source: AACoPD

Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis has been selected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to participate in the FBI’s National Executive Institute (NEI) in Quantico, VA. Chief Davis was chosen among top law enforcement officials around the world to participate in the exclusive leadership training program. Chief Davis, a 2004 graduate of the FBI’s National Academy, Session 219, is participating in the NEI’s 37^th session.

“It is no surprise that Chief Davis was selected for this prestigious program,” said County Executive Laura Neuman. “Chief Davis has brought great leadership and innovation to our police department, which has been recognized by his peers and his colleagues around the country. We are certainly proud of Chief Davis’s achievement and pleased that the residents of Anne Arundel County get to benefit from his participation in this program.”

“It is an honor to be selected for this program,” said Chief Davis. “This opportunity to interact with law enforcement leaders from across the world will help us continue to move Anne Arundel County forward.”

NEI is an intensive training program for chief executive officers of the nation’s largest municipal, county and state law enforcement organizations. More than 500 executives have graduated from the program since it began in 1976. The program is a 2-week program; the program began the week of March 8 and the second session will be held the week of July 6.