East Baltimore stick-up boy linked to killing
A man who authorities say bragged to an informant about a recent East Baltimore killing has been indicted on federal robbery, drug distribution and firearms charges, which could ultimately end up netting him more prison time than the murder charge in state court. The city homicide unit's beleaguered clearance rate takes a hit, but it's all the same to investigators if the suspect is off the street and another example of how some cases get closed without a murder arrest. Here's how The Sun's Peter Hermann leads off the piece:
He went by the name "Preacherman," according to federal law enforcement authorities, and he made his living on the streets of East Baltimore robbing drug dealers and selling the stolen merchandise himself.
It's a perilous way to spend one's day. Someone once dared rob "Preacherman," and, according to a federal indictment unsealed last week, he bragged to a police informant that he shot and killed the robbery suspect, Donte Vandiver, on Belnord Avenue on May 24.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says in court documents filed last week that "Preacherman" is 27-year-old Tyrell Smith. Agents arrested him June 22 after a stakeout and a midafternoon car chase through several city neighborhoods east of Patterson Park that ended in Highlandtown.
It was one of those theatrical-looking police operations that get a neighborhood talking but rarely make the news, despite a flood of cops and a helicopter that pursued the speeding car even as an occupant threw a loaded handgun onto Pratt Street, spilling seven 9 mm bullets onto the sidewalk.
Comments
Omar?
Posted by: Groundskeeper | July 7, 2010 1:14 PM
Mr.Herman your info.in incorrect and not accurate at all.Especially the part about him being 27 that youngman is 22yr old.This informant just needed a person to help him get out of the hotchair with the feds.My brother is not a killer or a robber. But now you have people thinking he is If you are going tell it may sure you at least who the informant is. So we all can know. The street of baltimore is full of a bunch of liars.Someone always ways want to blame my brother for something. He just turn 22 in May he is still a baby.This is not what he deserved. I wish you could understand.. signed unhappy family
Posted by: m | July 8, 2010 12:00 PM
stop lying..get your info corret. what are you trying to do because you are not making a difference..peter herman that man is 22 he is not a stick boy.that boy made his own way in life.and stop trying to tie him to a muder of a gang member.that boy gaNG PROBABLY SET HIM.just like you what you are trying to do. YOU KEEP SAying an informaNT DO THE HOOD SOME JUSTICE AND GIVE THAT MANS NAME ..(B K) from tell is like it is
Info comes from federal agents and federal prosecutors. We're not interjecting any opinion into it, "f" - JF
Posted by: f | July 12, 2010 7:40 AM
his family saying he not a murderer well he is. He killed my son and now justice has been served. He admitted his guilt in court, and for the record my son was not in a gang. He was a student at Randallstown high and if tyrell smith would not have killed my child he would have graduated May31,2011. So yall need to get your fact straight.
Posted by: Weeping mother | July 11, 2011 2:40 PM
Hey this is Tyrell wife he is not a killer an don't bother no one,Tyrell is a loving an caring person an will do anything to help any one out,its so sad that everyone is going through the hard times right now........love Tyrell an NUK
Posted by: russhia smith | July 30, 2011 4:15 PM