Baltimore County police investigating a man who shot a child in the leg with a pellet gun in February got a surprise when they searched his apartment in Owings Mills -- a pile of guns, ammunition, bombs, fuses and metal pipes.

In addition to bomb making materials, police said they found books with titles such as "The Anarchist Cookbook," "Blaster's Handbook," "The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives," "Improvised Radio Detonation Techniques," "The Do-It-Yourself Gunpowder Cookbook," "Home-Built Claymore Mines," and "Ragnar's Homemade Detonators -- How to Make 'Em, How to Salvage 'Em, How to Detonate 'Em."

Timothy Ray Berry, 28, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Thursday to possession of firearms and explosives and faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on March 1. Here's what police said they found in his apartment:

The BB gun used in the assault, a loaded 9mm handgun, a 12-gauge shotgun, 3 boxes of ammunition, handcuffs, brass knuckles, other BB guns and airsoft pistols and a stun gun.  Police also observed "several improvised explosive devices, including: C-4 explosive material; and a clear plastic container with gray powder and a M-800 pyrotechnic device inside, secured with a white lid with a burnt hole in the center."

Authorities searched the apartment a second time and said they found "items commonly used in the production of illegal improvised explosives, including, among other things: containers of potassium nitrate and potassium chlorate, smokeless shotgun powder, model rocket igniters and motors, pool chemicals, various fuse materials, PVC and metal pipe of varying lengths and pipe fittings."

Police also said they found "numerous books related to firearm and the manufacture of illegal improvised explosives. Berry had underlined and starred book titles including, “Clear Your Record & Own a Gun,” and “How to Lose Your X-Wife Forever.”  Berry’s computer was also seized and a subsequent forensic analysis revealed that less than a month before, Berry had searched online for how to make homemade C-4, and how to fabricate tags for Maryland license plates."

The Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement that on March 1, "following Berry’s arrest and detention on state charges related to child abuse, reckless endangerment, and gun possession, and with knowledge of the imminent federal investigation, Berry called another individual from jail and instructed that person to “burn” the “other books” and to get rid of “anything that looks like it could be suspect...”

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Baltimore County, Courts and the justice system
        

Worried about your pension? Not some Baltimore County police commanders. The Sun's Alison Knezevich reports today that some are retiring with lump sum payments of $500,000, in addition to yearly pensions in the six figures.

It's all because of a unique retirement program designed to keep top cops on the force a little bit longer. The city did the same thing for police and firefighters, but the payouts weren't nearly as high, and leaders disbanded the program several years ago calling it an unaffordable luxury.

Alison writes:

Deferred Retirement Option Programs allow employees who delay retirement to receive the one-time payments when they leave, in exchange for smaller annual pensions. County officials said the county must contribute $7.5 million to its pension fund this year for the program, according to an actuarial analysis.

Such programs, generally used to keep experienced workers on the job, have raised questions around the country as governments debate how much they cost in the long run. Baltimore City's public safety unions sued to try to keep a similar program after the city decided to eliminate it last year. Baltimore County ended the benefit for new public safety hires in 2007, although it still has one for other employees.

Three county police majors left their jobs this year with payouts of more than half a million dollars each, according to the figures. They also have annual pensions exceeding $150,000. Another six police employees — four captains and two lieutenants — left with payments of more than $400,000 each.

Read Alison's complete story.

Read list of DROP payouts.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The Sun's Justin Fenton reports:

Three men were arrested in connection with a series of robberies and carjackings that occurred over a four-hour span Tuesday night across Baltimore County and the city, ending when the men crashed their vehicle near the Domino Sugars factory while fleeing police.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III and Baltimore County Chief James W. Johnson, who announced the arrests at a joint news conference Wednesday afternoon, called the robberies a "mini-crime spree" and said police worked together to catch the suspects, who had open warrants and criminal records.

Read full details here.

Bealefeld said there didn't appear to be any specific impetus for such a rapid series of crimes. "Just bad guys with guns," Bealefeld said. Their names were not disclosed as police continued to investigate and show photo lineups to victims.

"Last night's series of robberies punctuates that a few people are committing most of our violent crime in the Baltimore metropolitan area," Johnson said. "We've worked hard in Baltimore County and the city to build a partnership and relationships that reduce crime and make citizens in the metropolitan area safe."

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County, Northeast Baltimore, Top brass
        

Baltimore County police are seeking a 26-year-old woman who they say carjacked another woman in the parking lot of a Safeway grocery store on Baltimore National Pike on Thanksgiving Day. Police said the suspect was armed with a knife and the victim was cut when she tried to grab it and escape.

The next day, police said they found a car linked to the suspect that was reported stolen in an armed carjacking in Fairfax County, Va. Police say the woman has no known ties to Baltimore County and may be staying in a hotel.

Stephanie Lynn Schwab is described as a white female, 5’3” tall, 165 pounds, with blond hair and green eyes.

Anyone with information can call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to "CRIMES" (274637), then enter the message starting with "MCS," or e-mail a tip to Metro Crime Stoppers.

Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000. For more details, read the statement from Baltimore County Police:

Continue reading "Woman sought in car jacking" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County are investigating a shooting in Woodlawn that has left a 19-year-old in critical condition, and an apparent domestic dispute in North Point that left a man suffering severe burns. Here is a statement from police:

Precinct 2/Woodlawn Shooting:
On November 22 at 10:39 p.m., officers responded to the 2500-block of Molton Way for a shooting.  They discovered a 19-year-old male with multiple gun shot wounds. The victim was transported to the hospital for treatment, and is currently listed in critical condition. Detectives believe that the victim had a confrontation with two black males as he walked to the 7-11 store.  No other information about the suspects is known at this time.  Detectives are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Baltimore County Police Department at 410-307-2020.  This case is eligible for Metro Crime Stoppers.  
 
Precinct 12/North Point:  Burn Victims
On November 22 at 10:45 p.m., officers responded to the 2900-block of Liberty Parkway, 21222 for two patients with burn injuries.  A 33-year-old female was transported to the Johns Hopkins Bayview Burn Unit as a priority 1 patient for treatment of her burns.  A 35-year-old male was transported to the Johns Hopkins Bayview Burn Unit as a priority 2 patient for treatment of his burns. The victims live at the location together and are in a domestic relationship. Both victims got an unknown type of flammable substance on their clothing, which ignited causing the burns.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Detectives are investigating the incident and it has not yet been determined if the burns were accidental or intentional.  

Posted by Peter Hermann at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Two articles today from The Sun's Arthur Hirsch:

"The president of the Baltimore County police union has been suspended with pay and stripped of his police powers after an internal department investigation, months after he received probation before judgment on misdemeanor assault charges, a department spokeswoman said.

Sgt. Cole B. Weston, who has led the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 4 for 12 years, will be suspended pending an administrative hearing that has not yet been scheduled, said Elise Armacost, a department spokeswoman. He could face further disciplinary action, she said.

Weston, who is 49, had been placed on administrative duty and had his police powers revoked early this year, after he was charged in connection with an alleged altercation with a man that took place near his home in Parkville in March. He was restored to full duty in August, immediately after the assault case against him was resolved in Baltimore County Circuit Court."

Benefits claim:

"Two Baltimore County Police officers who were denied health benefits for their same-sex spouses have won their cases before an arbitrator, the first disputes of this kind to be decided in the department.

Officers Margaret Selby and Juanika Ballard got the word on Tuesday that an independent arbitrator ruled in their favor, meaning the county must provide health benefits to the women whom they each married out of state in the summer of 2009. In a 10-page opinion, the arbitrator ruled that the county violated the terms of the union contract by denying the benefits in August 2010.

"I'm very happy and my family is very happy," said Selby, 47, who works on patrol in the Essex precinct and has been with the department for 10 years. "I just want the same benefits that are provided to other married couples in the department."

Posted by Peter Hermann at 6:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Anne Arundel County police had been looking for Cornelius Keith Johnson for nearly week in the killing of a man outside a seafood restaurant and Glen Burnie.

Authorities said Johnson unwittingly came to them.

On Nov. 13, the 24-year-old reported to the Baltimore County Detention Center to serve a weekend sentence -- total four days -- for driving on a suspended license. Jail officials discovered there was a warrant out for his arrest.

He was detained and on Monday was taken to Anne Arundel County and charged with first-degree murder in the Nov. 13 killing of Andrew Michael Johnson, 25, outside MO's Seafood on Ritchie Highway.

Police have not released a motive or said what led them to the suspect, who is not related to the victim. The shooting occurred about 10:30 p.m. The suspect lives in the 4200 block of Shamrock Ave. in Northeast Baltimore.

Correction: Police said on Tuesday that the suspect and victim are believed to be half-brothers. Read the full story here.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Confronting crime, Courts and the justice system
        

Armed robbers have hit two Goodwill stores four times since Nov. 11, stealing money from places in Towson and Cockeysville that take donations and practically give items away.

The latest occurred Friday about 8 p.m. at the Cockeysville Goodwill in the 200 block of West Padonia Road. Police said a masked man armed with a handgun forced several customers and employees into an office and took money from the registers and safe. The same store was robbed Nov. 11, according to Baltimore County police.

The Towson Goodwill store, in the 1700 block of East Joppa Road, was robbed Nov. 11 and Nov. 16, according to police, who said they believe all the attacks are related. Anyone with information is urged to call 410-307-2020.

For more crime in the area, here's a list that is distributed weekly to citizens from county police:

Posted by Peter Hermann at 6:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Walter Oliver joined the Police Explorers youth volunteer program, presumably, because he had an interest in becoming a police officer one day.

But along the way, authorities in two jurisdictions say, he began swiping equipment from officers who took him under their wing.

According to charging documents, he broke into Officer Joseph Tracy’s locker and took a police radio; He took an expandable baton and a wooden espantoon from Officer Charles Connolly; When Officer Karen Crisafulli wasn’t looking, he took her badge; and while on a ride-along with Officer Robert Hankard, Oliver took his Taser. After raiding his family’s Parkville home, police say they found a trove of other items.

Oliver, 18, is charged with multiple counts of impersonating a police officer and theft in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, according to police and court records.

Said Anthony Guglielmi, the city Police Department’s chief spokesman: “If he was interested in a career in law enforcement, he made some poor decisions. Now he’ll never, ever hold a job in law enforcement here or anywhere else.”

A relative reached at Oliver’s home Friday said he would have no comment.

Police say the alleged thefts appear connected to Oliver’s work as a security guard. He worked for a private company called Signal 88 Security, and surveillance video pulled by city detectives shows he wore Baltimore police gear while patrolling a treatment center in Southwest Baltimore.

Guglielmi said that doesn’t make the thefts any less serious.

“These were multiple, malicious attempts at violating people’s trust,” Guglielmi said. The Explorer’s program “is designed to foster relationships between police and kids, and he completely took advantage of that.”

Continue reading "Teen faces more charges in thefts from officers, district station" »

Posted by Justin Fenton at 6:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County, Southeast Baltimore
        

Maryland State Police have arrested a 25-year-old man in a series of armed robberies of gas stations and convenience stores in Baltimore, Cecil and Harford counties. The attacks include a robbery of a gas station at an I-95 rest stop and several along Pulaski Highway.

The suspect is identified as Michael R. Malpass, 25, of Cecil County. Police said they got tips from photos of the suspect distributed to the news media. Police stopped him Thursday night driving a 2008 Chevrolet Impala on Pulaski Highway in Perryville. 

Police said they found evidence linking him to the robberies, and that the car he was driving when arrested was the getaway vehicle. Here is more from a statement from Maryland State Police:

Continue reading "Man arrested in string of armed robberies" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County, Confronting crime, Crime elsewhere, Harford County
        

A former member of a police program for youths has been charged with stealing equipment from Baltimore city and county police, and officials said they are looking into whether he may be connected to some of the recent police impersonator robberies reported in the area.

Walter Oliver, 18, of Parkville, had been a member of the Police Explorers program in Baltimore County and Baltimore City. He was dismissed from the Towson precinct's program in 2010 for failing to follow rules, then joined the city's Southeast District program. He was dismissed from the city program about a month ago, officials said.

A city officer recently observed Oliver with a police radio, and Oliver explained that an officer had lent it to him, according to police. But officials realized that there had been a recent break-in of a Southeast District officer's locker, and obtained a search warrant for Oliver's home.

Inside, county and city police say they found numerous items including an $1,100 bulletproof vest, holsters, strobe lights, handcuffs, uniform shirts, patches and other items, according to city and county police officials. He's been charged in the city and Baltimore County with multiple counts of theft, as well as malicious destruction of property for the break-in, and was released on his own recognizance. But police say they are concerned about why Oliver had collected all of the items.

"There's a concern for police impersonation," said Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the city police. "We're dealing with multiple incidents of impersonation and home invasions, and it's a pretty serious offense. It preys on the trust that police have in the community."

Elise Armacost, a spokeswoman for Baltimore County police, said the alleged thefts are not indicative of the Explorers program as a whole. Though Explorers are volunteers, they have to pass a background check and maintain a minimum grade point average.

"This kind of experience is extremely rare," she said. "We like this program because it's a recruitment tool for us, a way for young people with an interest in law enforcement to cultivate that interest."

A phone message left at Oliver's home was not immediately returned.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 4:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County, Southeast Baltimore
        

A 15-year-old girl walking along a street in Woodlawn Wednesday afternoon told police that a gunman forced into the front seat of a car, where a man later sexually assaulted her and then held her in a house for an hour.

Baltimore County police said the attack occurred about 3 p.m. in the 1800 block of Woodlawn Drive. The girl said the assailants were in a teal-colored, four-door sedan with tinted windows, possibly a late 1990s or early 2000 model.

The girl said that two men talked to her, threatened her with a gun and forced her into the car. Two other occupants were wearing masks. They ordered her to cover her eyes and drove to her to an unknown location, possibly in Baltimore City, police said.

Police said three men left the car and the other one sexually assaulted her. They then drove her to a house, where she stayed for an hour, and was then returned to Baltimore County. The victim walked to the Woodlawn precinct and reported the attack to police.

Anyone with information is urged to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP. 

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The Smoking Gun is calling him "the ex-boyfriend from hell."

Christopher Scott, a 20-year-old college student and former Stevenson University lacrosse player, has been charged in Pennsylvania with uploading a video of him having sex with a former girlfriend in a dorm at the Baltimore County campus. According to documents posted by the web site, Scott told investigators that he posted the video 11 months ago because he was "depressed" over his break-up with the 24-year-old victim.

He admitted that he was "trying to be hateful" and "realized the implications it could have," the site reported. The victim, who was not a student, told police that word of the video spread, leading to her employer asking for her resignation and harassment on Facebook.

The encounter was recorded on his laptop, which was seized from his family's Delaware County home. Also found on the computer were "several files indicative of child pornography." 

Scott is charged with four misdemeanor counts related to the creation and distribution of the video of his ex-girlfriend, as well as two misdemeanors related to drugs found in his Newton Square, Pa. home.

When reached tonight, Stevenson lacrosse coach Paul Cantabene declined comment.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 5:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County, Crime elsewhere
        

UPDATE: Baltimore County police say they believe the motive in the shooting was robbery.

Two teenagers have been charged as adults in last week’s shooting in Baltimore County of a Morgan State University student, who remains in critical condition at Maryland Shock Trauma Center, according to police.

Police identified the suspects as Jerry David Hawkins, 16, of the 800 block Judy Lane in Pikesville, and Brandon Rickman White, 17, of the 5400 block of Orange Grove Court in Ellicott City. Each has been charged as an adult with attempted first-degree murder and handgun violations.

The victim, Ian Holland, 21, who lives in Northwest Baltimore’s Ashburton neighborhood, was shot about 12:15 p.m. Wednesday in the first block of Tent Mill Lane, in Milford Mill. Baltimore County police have not released a motive, but spokeswoman Cathy Batton said it was not a random attack.

Clinton R. Coleman, a spokesman for Morgan State University, said Holland enrolled in the school in the fall of 2008 and has enough credits to qualify as a sophomore. The suspects are being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A student at Community College of Baltimore County in Essex has been charged with having a box cutter and a shank while on campus, according to police. The 18-year-old female was arrested Wednesday while standing in a cafeteria lunch line.

Jamersa Daikyra Kinlaw, of the 5100 block of Harford Road, was charged with two counts of possessing a dangerous weapon on school property. She was released on personal bail and has a court hearing scheduled for next month.

A school spokeswoman, Hope Davis, said her case would probably be referred to the school's judiciary committee, and that she would normally be on interim suspension until the outcome of the criminal case. She said it the first time this semester that a student has been charged with possessing a weapon.

Cathy Batton, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore County Police Department, said a school security guard was tipped off about the student about 9:30 a.m. He approached the student in "B Building," at the grill in a cafeteria, and asked the student about the complaint.

Batton said the student said she had a box cutter. The police spokeswoman said the guard, a special police officer, also found a "small piece of metal attached to a plastic handle."

Posted by Peter Hermann at 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A man who shot the popular owner of Yours convenience store in Catonsville, and killed a customer, during a robbery in 2009 was sentenced today in Baltimore County Circuit Court to life in prison without the chance of parole.

Braderick Greene, 37, used a .45 caliber handgun to shoot Sudhir Shah, the owner, and Brian Meise. Shah was shot in the head and spent months recovering; he has reopened his store. Meise, the lone customer, was killed.

The life sentence is tacked on top of 11 life sentences he received for shooting at nearly a dozen police officers when they arrested him in the Catonsville shooting. The officers had stopped Greene in Baltimore City and exchanged gunfire with him as he fled. Police said he used the same gun to shoot as the officers as he did to shoot Shah and Meise.

Here is a statement with more details from Baltimore Count prosecutors:

Continue reading "Man sentenced to life for shooting Catonsville convenience store owner, killing customer" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 2:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police say that a man might have killed his grandmother and then killed himself in a murder-suicide.

Police found the body of the woman Wednesday afternoon in her house on Sarah Lane in Parkville. Authorities later found her grandson dead in a car on Loch Raven Drive. Police said he was "deceased from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound."

More details from police are below:

Continue reading "Baltimore County police investigate apparent murder-suicide" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Nearly two dozens alleged members of a homegrown prison gang that has spread throughout the country have been indicted on federal racketeering charges that include accusations that they conspired to kill four people, officials announced Wednesday.

Follow this link for the full story.

The alleged Dead Man Inc. members, who refer to themselves as "dawgs" and espouse an anti-government philosophy, used contraband cellphones to direct activities and spread its membership into South Baltimore, eastern Baltimore County, northern Anne Arundel County and at least three other states, authorities said.

Among those charged are the alleged co-founders Perry Roark and James Sweeney. Roark, a Dundalk native who is referred to as the "supreme commander," was charged earlier this year in another murder, days before he was to be released from a 25-year prison term.

"On our streets, this organization has been involved in street robberies, home invasions, property thefts, intimidation, assaults — you name it, they're involved in it," said Randall Jones Sr., an Anne Arundel County police commander. "The northern part of our county has been plagued by these individuals, and this is a major blow to this organization."

The gang formed in the late 1990s. Roark was reportedly close with members of the Black Guerrilla Family, law enforcement officials say, but that gang's rules prohibited him from joining because he is white. With their blessing, officials say he formed a new gang at the Jessup prison that would become an umbrella organization of sorts for other white gangs and performed hits for the BGF.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Gangs, South Baltimore
        

The Sun's Arthur Hirsch reports:

The Baltimore County man convicted of killing a Towson gas station owner for money was spared the death penalty on Wednesday, as a Harford County Circuit Court jury sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The jury found that mitigating factors outweighed the aggravating element of the first degree murder charge that was the reason the state pursued the death penalty: that Walter P. Bishop Jr., 29, shot William "Ray" Porter because he was promised he'd be paid to do it.

Bishop, a father of five children who was found guilty last week of shooting Porter on March 1, 2010, showed no emotion as he stood at the defense table beside his two lawyers wearing a black suit and shirt open at the collar.

Under this sentence, he could be eligible for parole in 25 years, but the terms of his eligibility could change depending on the sentences he receives on Wednesday afternoon from Judge Mickey J. Norman on counts of conspiracy and a handgun charge.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

It was a busy day on Tuesday's crime front. The picture by The Sun's Kenneth K. Lam is from Occupy Baltimore, which is embroiled in security issues (see blurb below).

Catch up on the latest headlines:

Today: Attorneys are scheduled to make closing arguments in the bribery trial of state Sen. Ulysses Currie in federal court. Currie, a Prince George's Democrat, is accused of selling his influence as chairman of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee to do political favors for Shoppers Food Warehouse. Read how the state's power brokers are rallying around Currie, and other stories.

* The man convicted of killing a Towson gas station owner for money apologized Tuesday in Harford County Circuit Court to the victim's family and friends, saying "I'm sorry to the last fiber of my being." The apology came shortly before a jury was to begin deliberating whether Walter P. Bishop Jr. will be sentenced to death or life in prison.

* The Occupy Baltimore protest is now entrenched at the Inner Harbor, but its members are questioning whether they can sustain the movement amid a dwindling number of core leaders and allegations of crime and drug use. Reports that a woman was sexually assaulted in a tent, deemed unfounded by city police, have nevertheless put public safety at the forefront.

* A 52-year-old man died after being shot during a robbery at a carryout restaurant in Better Waverly on Monday night, renewing concerns in the community about the crime connected to the beleaguered business. The Yau Brothers carryout, in the 2900 block of Greenmount Ave., was closed Tuesday, as it was after similar shooting incidents in the past two years: In 2010, 72-year-old security guard Charles Bowman was fatally shot in a robbery there, a year after three men were shot following a fight that broke out inside.

* A former professional basketball player pleaded guilty Tuesday in the pistol whipping of his girlfriend's brother after a dispute at a cookout in Arnold.

* Towson University students and employees were briefly alerted to stay inside Tuesday afternoon, because police were looking for a man with a gun on campus. But the man turned out to be carrying a prop gun for an acting class, said Towson spokeswoman Gay Pinder.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Confronting crime, Courts and the justice system, Crime elsewhere, Downtown, North Baltimore
        

Baltimore County police are asking for help identifying a man who held up a clerk at a CVS Pharmacy in Essex last month. Police said he took two bottles of pills after displaying a handgun under his jacket and then ran out of the store.

The robbery occurred Oct. 24 about 8:30 p.m. at he store in the 500 block of Eastern Boulevard. Police described the man as a white male about 35 to 45 years old and standing 5 feet 10 inches tall. Police said he has a medium build and may have a mustache and a beard.

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to "CRIMES" (274637), then enter the message starting with "MCS."

Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 5:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

This just in from The Sun's Arthur Hirsch:

A jury has found a Baltimore County man guilty of first-degree murder in the murder-for-hire slaying of a Towson gas station owner in March 2010.

The case will next go to the penalty phase, which is scheduled to begin Thursday morning. Walter P. Bishop Jr., 29, now faces the possibility of being sentenced to death. He could be the first person to receive the death penalty since a new law took effect that requires DNA or video evidence or a video taped confession in such cases.

Bishop was accused of shooting William "Ray" Porter in a Hess station on East Joppa Road on the morning of March 1, 2010. Five others have also been implicated in the crime, including Porter's wife, Karla, her sister, brother and nephew.

Watch video of police interview with Bishop.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 5:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Breaking news, Courts and the justice system, Harford County
        

Erick Lee Spencer walked into a Baltimore County Jiffy Lube on the day after Christmas 2006, confronted a clerk and said, "Don't say nothing."

Tyrone Stinnette promptly handed the man money from the till. He testified in court that no weapon was revealed, and nothing else was said. But he concluded, "We got robbed."

The prosecutor asked if he believed the man had a weapon.

"I wasn't taking no chances," Stinnette replied.

Spencer was convicted of robbery, theft and assault and sentenced to 25 years in prison, without the possibility of parole, because he had two prior felony robbery convictions.

The suspect appealed, arguing that evidence was insufficient to support a robbery conviction. Today, the Maryland Court of Appeals agreed, and sent the case back to Baltimore County Circuit Court.

Read the Court of Appeals decision.

For more details:

Continue reading "When a robbery is not a robbery" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Courts and the justice system
        

UPDATE FROM AUTHORITIES: "Police have identified the victims as John Lewis Sigmond, 85; and Margie Beatrice Sigmond, 84. A note was found at the scene. Both appear to have died from a gunshot wound. A family member called 911 after visiting the home."

Baltimore County police say an apparent murder-suicide led to the deaths this afternoon of an elderly couple near White Marsh. 

Few details were made available, but authorities said police found a note and that both had been shot. Their names were not immediately released, but police said the man was 84 and the woman was 85.

They were found about 2:45 p.m. by firefighters in their living room of their house in the 10100 block of Bird River Road. It's unclear who called them.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 4:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

For the second time in two years, Baltimore County prosecutors have successfully convicted a man of murder despite not finding the body of the victim.

The state's attorney, Scott D. Shellenberger, said a jury on Thursday convicted Jason Gross, 36, of second degree murder. Gross killed 16-year-old Rochelle Battle around March 2009 in Essex. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Last year, county prosecutors convicted Dennis J. Tetso, 45, of killing Tracey Leigh Gardner, his wife, who had vanished on her way to a concert to join a man with whom she was allegedly having an affair. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison. The victims body has not been found.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 6:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police announced an arrest in the killing earlier this week of an 18-year-old found stabbed to death in Curtis Bay, a crime which police say was carried out with a hatchet.

Larry Eugene Horton, a 37-year-old who lived in the block where Ryan Wesley Jackson is believed to have been killed, was apprehended in Mobile County, Alabama late Wednesday afternoon by U.S. Marshals, county police said. 

Jackson was reported missing by his pregnant girlfriend on Oct. 14, after two days had passed since she last spoke with him. Family members visited the 700 block of Rambo Court, a "known drug house" where they believed he might be, and found blood inside. 

[Photo via WJZ-TV]

Police obtained a search warrant for the home and found that the carpet had recently been cleaned, but there was still "cast off blood" around the living room. They found a hatchet in a trash bag, along with Jackson's wallet and two bottles of bleach.

Jackson's body was discovered in a wooded area in South Baltimore the next day.

hey say he fled to Alabama and coordinated with authorities there to apprehend him.He was picked up at the Bayou Inn and Suites in Bayou La Batre, Ala.

He's being held in Mobile County, pending extradition. According to court records, Horton has been charged numerous times over the years with charges with theft, drug possession and assault charges in the city and Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Howard counties.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 2:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police have charged a 22-year-old man with sexually assaulting two teenagers, and authorities said they are concerned there might be more victims.

Henry Sukeforth, of the 8200 block of Quarterfield Road in Severn, in Anne Arundel County, was arrested earlier this month.

Police said one case involves a 14-year-old boy and another a 13-year-old boy.

In both cases, police said they confirmed the youths were involved with sexual activity with the young man.

Police said the suspect had a Facebook page and used the social media site to communicate with the victims.

A full statement from police is below:

Continue reading "Man charged with sexually abusing two teens " »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County
        

State police are asking for the public's help in the search for a man who shot at police officers during a robbery at a Virginia bank Friday and is known to frequent Baltimore and Harford counties.

Police say James Whittlesey, 51, may frequent or live sometimes in Harford and Baltimore counties. Authorities in Winchester, Va. have obtained an arrest warrant changing him with the attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer after he fired at officers during a robbery of a bank on Oct. 14. 

Whittlesey is described as a white male, 5'11", 235 pounds with black/grey hair and brown eyes. He may have a mustache, and has a tattoo on his right forearm. He's considered armed and dangerous. According to the Winchester Star, he lists Dundalk as his residence on a Facebook page.

Anyone who sees Whittlesey or knows of his location is urged to contact Maryland's 24-hour tip line at 1-800-492-TIPS.

Maryland court records show Whittlesey was convicted in 1978 of armed robbery and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He escaped from the Brockbridge Correctional Institute in July 1980, and while a fugitive committed other crimes in Florida. Records indicate he was serving a 136-year sentence in Florida after being convicted for armed robbery and narcotics violations. Whittlesey appealed his Maryland conviction, arguing that he was not competent to stand trial; that, along with an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit, was denied.

After serving 25 years in prison, he moved back to Maryland, according to the Star.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 5:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Harford County
        

UPDATE: County police confirm that Ryan Wesley Jackson's death is being investigated as a homicide that occurred in Baltimore County. Police say his girlfriend reported him missing on Oct. 14 after not hearing from him since Oct. 12, and family members found blood inside a home in the 700 block of Rambo Court where they believed he may have been. Anyone with information was asked to call 410-307-2020.

The man found stabbed to death Saturday in a wooded area in Curtis Bay has been identified as an 18-year-old who went missing from Lansdowne last week, ABC-2 is reporting.

Reginald Jackson told the TV station that police told him that his son, Ryan Jackson, was the man found Saturday afternoon in the area of the 5500 block of Pennington Ave. Ryan was reporting missing Wednesday and was last seen at a home on Rambo Court, which Reginald Jackson was described as a "known drug house." He believes his son's body was taken to another location, he told the station.

"Whatever the incident was, it doesn't give another person rights to take someone's life," Reginald Jackson said.

We're made an inquiry with city police to get more information on this case. This morning, spokesman Kevin Brown said the case wasn't listed on the list of city homicides, and that could be because investigators have determined Jackson was killed on Rambo Court in the county.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (22)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Law enforcement officials differ all the time, but rarely in public. That's what made the case of Joseph A. Miranda so intriguing. The young man was killed five years ago when an earth mover ran over him at a landscaping company.

Police and prosecutors all ruled accident. Joseph's mother, Adrienne, thought differently. And through her persistence, got the ruling she wanted. This summer, the Maryland Medical Examiner's Office ruled that Joseph had been pushed or had fallen face down during an altercation with another man before the Bobcat ran over him.

The cause of death was changed, from undetermined to homicide.

Still, prosecutors and police in Baltimore and Carroll counties refuse to investigate further, leaving the mother to try to find some other way to bring justice. Said Baltimore County Scott D. Shellenberger: "It does not rise to the level of a crime."

The Medical Examiner pointed to inconsistencies in a key witness statement taken during a civil deposition five years after the accident. But the ME had questions going back years, and had been asking the police do do more. Police believed the account of the witness -- that Joseph slipped off the wheel of the machine and was accidentally crushed, which the ME says now was impossible.

It is a remarkable tale of a mother (seen above in the picture by The Sun's Amy Davis) who won't give up, no matter how many people she's exacerbated over the years during her relentless campaign. Read the full account here.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A 61-year-old man has pleaded guilty on Friday to holding up three banks in Baltimore County, once putting a gun to a teller's face and another time robbing the same teller at the same bank twice.

Gregory O'Neil, faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 5.

Prosecutors outlined a brazen series of robberies that began Jan. 25 when he walked into the Wachovia Bank on Rolling Road in Catonsville and escaped with nearly $4,000. Authorities said he pointed a gun at the teller's face and body.

A few days later, on Feb. 3, the man hit the M&T Bank on Ambassador Road in Woodlawn. He again pointed a handgun at the teller and got away with nearly $3,000. Police said he returned to the same branch on Feb. 22 and confronted the same teller,

Here are more chilling details from the plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court in Baltimore:

Continue reading "Man pleads guilty to holding up three banks" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

[Note: Embedded video does not appear to be a Maryland Bloods member but was linked to on a Frederick South Side Brim member's YouTube account]

Read the full indictment here.

Two years after police found a gang roster in a Frederick motel room, federal authorities announced Thursday a racketeering indictment charging 35 alleged Bloods gang members with murder, kidnapping and other crimes from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore — a move they said had "dismantled" the gang.

Authorities say cells of the South Side Brims coordinated gang activity across the state and region, and court documents offer a tutorial on how modern criminal organizations operate, including posting photos and messages on Facebook, and uploading initiation videos on YouTube.

Those indicted are accused of at least one murder in Baltimore, an attempted murder in Wicomico County, a home invasion in Howard County, a kidnapping in Frederick, and witness intimidation in Allegany County, among a host of other alleged crimes.

"Gangs represent the most significant violent crime challenge we face throughout the state of Maryland," said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein, flanked at a Baltimore news conference by police officials from across the state. "We hope these gang indictments send a message to gang members and prospective gang members to get out while you can."

Frederick police chief Kim C. Dine said the case was "extremely significant" for his city, which he said has been conducting gang outreach work in recent years but is not immune to the spreading of gangs. "Sixteen of these gangsters are from Frederick, and it will have a huge impact on the city of Frederick and quality of life," he said.

The alleged leader of the gang was identified as Andre Ricardo Roach, a 34-year-old Prince George's County native. Known as "Redrum," he's accused of leading the gang since 2005 from behind bars at the North Branch Correctional Institute in Cumberland, where he is serving a 50-year sentence for second-degree murder.

Here's an article from the Frederick News Post from March in which a county detective told citizens that the South Side Brims were among several active sets there. 

The list of people charged is after the jump:

Continue reading "Feds indict members of Bloods gang subset" »

Posted by Justin Fenton at 9:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Crime elsewhere, Gangs, Howard County, Witness intimidation
        

A Baltimore County jury on Thursday convicted a man of shooting and wounding the owner of a Catonsville convenience store and killing the lone customer during a robbery nearly two years ago, according to prosecutors.

Braderick Green, 37, faces life without parole when he is sentenced in November. He already is serving 11 life sentences in connection with a shootout with nearly a dozen police officers in Baltimore four days after he held up Yours Convenience Store on Frederick Road.

The 56-year-old store owner, Sudhir Shah, was shot in head during the Nov. 17, 2009 robbery, but managed to dial 911. The native of India recovered and returned to his popular store six months later, with relieved patrons throwing him a welcome home festival.

“It screwed up my life,” Shah said at the time. “And I have bad memories in my mind. I’m going to work. I have to. But I’m not going to own a gun. I don’t believe in that.” Shah could not be reached for comment on Thursday. He's seen above during his reopening, in a photo taken by The Sun's Lloyd Fox.

More details:

Continue reading "Man guilty of shooting Catonsville clerk, killing customer" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The Sun's Luke Broadwater writes:

The bleach and Pine-Sol fight that temporarily shut down a Baltimore County Walmart over the weekend was the latest dispute in a heated love triangle, according to court documents, witnesses and attorneys involved in the case.

A Baltimore County judge on Tuesday ordered Theresa Monique Jefferson, 33, of Lansdowne held on $350,000 bond on charges that she attacked another woman with bleach at a Lansdowne Walmart on Saturday. The fumes from chemicals caused 19 people to be taken to area hospitals, police said.

Baltimore County Assistant State's Attorney John P. Cox argued that Jefferson is a danger to her former boyfriend, Calvin Pannell, and his current fiance, Ebony Odoms, whom she's accused of attacking.

"We have grave concerns for the safety of the two victims if she should be let out on the streets," Cox said.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Courts and the justice system
        

In case you were out enjoying the beautiful weather this weekend and missed the crime, here is a bit of what you missed:

A woman poured bleach and Pine-Sol on a Walmart customer in southern Baltimore County, police said, in an incident that closed down the store for several hours Saturday and sent 19 to area hospitals. The two women knew each other and were involved in a continuing dispute, police said.

State police say a traffic stop in Hagerstown led to a major marijuana seizure. A trooper pulled over the driver of a 1979 Cadillac early Friday morning for not having a working light on the rear license plate. State police troopers found a bag with nine pounds of freshly cut marijuana.

Baltimore city police said they were investigating an overnight shooting in Northwest Baltimore that injured a 25-year-old man. The man was found near Park Heights and Belvedere avenues shortly after an officer on patrol heard gunshots around 1:43 a.m. The victim, who was not identified, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, police said, adding that he was taken to a local hospital, where he was in serious but stable condition.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Crime elsewhere, Northwest Baltimore
        

It was 2 in the morning, and Craig Bouie and his wife were feeding their month-old son in an upstairs room of their Milford Mill home. Their 11-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son were sleeping. That's when police say Kelly Shird, 28, broke into the home on Western Woods Circle, on Aug. 5, 2010.

Authorities say Bouie confronted Shird, who had gotten in through a rear basement window, and was shot three times. Prosecutors say Shird accidentally shot himself as well. Bouie died at a hospital.

Police captured Shird, of the 800 block of McHenry St. in Baltimore, a week later in Virginia. On Thursday, Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott D. Shellenberger said a jury convicted Shird of first-degree murder, burglary and using a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence.

Shird is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 20.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Courts and the justice system
        

A Baltimore County police officer was arrested Tuesday night and charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend and pointing a handgun in her direction, according to authorities and court documents.

Officer Brian Eaton, a 5-year veteran assigned to the Pikesville Precinct, was charged with first and second degree assault, false imprisonment and destruction of property. Police said the alleged attack occurred Sept. 23 in the 1200 block of Halstead Road in Towson.

Police charging documents say that the victim, Shenell Wilkes, arrived at Eaton's house to talk about her new relationship with another man, who a report identifies as another police officer.

Wilkes and Eaton have a daughter together. The report says Wilkes believed the officer had been drinking the night of the attack.

Eaton got into Wilkes car and the two argued, the report says. "Brian grabbed Shenell numerous times by the right arm, causing a large bruise to the front and back," the report says. Police also said the officer squeezed the victim's head into the driver's side window.

The report says the two fought over a cell phone and continued to argue back in the officer's house, where their 13-month-old girl was sleeping. The report says the victim took the child back outside and to her vehicle.

Police said Eaton then drew his handgun from a holster "and pointed the handgun in the direction of Shenell and stated, "Get the ... away from me." The victim got into her car and drove off.

Police said in a statement that Eaton has been suspended and his gun taken away. He has been freed on $50,000 bail.  

Posted by Peter Hermann at 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police have arrested a man in Monday's shooting near the Social Security Administration headquarters in Woodlawn. The victim was a social security worker on a lunchtime stroll, according to police.

Police said in court charging documents that the victim, Obie Blackmon, was robbed of his cell phone and shot in the arm.

The suspect is identified as Gary Stokes Jr., of the 6700 block of Richardson Road in Gwynn Oak. Police said Stokes has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, armed robbery and use of a handgun in commission of a felony.
 
He is being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

No motive has given by police.

Read more details of the shooting.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Monday evening, a man wanted in a string of burglaries managed to escape from the back of a Baltimore County police car in Towson.

Authorities said he was being returned to the Baltimore County Detention Center when he somehow freed himself of handcuffs and shackles, took off his jumpsuit and broke out the back window of the patrol car.

He jumped out at York and West Roads. It's unclear if the squad car was in traffic or stopped, and whether the officer was inside. Police quickly put out an alert for Vincent Avila, 25. Police found him later on Monday near York and Seminary and got him back in custody.

Police said he is suspected in a string of burglaries. Last week, Baltimore County police put out an alert for residents about a string of burglaries in and around Towson. There have 30 burglaries reported since mid-September in three police precincts. It's unclear whether this suspect is connected to any of them.

Here is that alert from Sgt. Stephen Fink:

Continue reading "Man wanted in burglaries escapes, later captured" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

UPDATED 2:14 p.m. Baltimore County police are now saying that the victim works at the Social Security Administration and was taking a stroll on his lunch break when the robbery attempt and shooting occurred.  That new information comes from Det. Cathy Batton, a spokeswoman for the department. Batton said the victim has non-life-threatening injuries.

UPDATED at 1:15 p.m. Police are now saying that the shooting was part of a robbery in the woods near the SSA, and not on the campus. Baltimore County police department spokeswoman Elise Armacost said the victim was shot on Walden Circle, but was able to walk to Parallel Road, where he collapsed. Parallel Road is near the entrance to the SSA campus, but Armacost said, "It has nothing to do with the Social Security Administration."

From Baltimore County Police: 

Baltimore County Police are on the scene of a shooting in the woods near Walden Circle. This is a street robbery and did not occur on the campus of the Social Security Administration. SSA was notified because the suspect has not yet been apprehended.

The call was dispatched at 11:43 a.m. The location was Woodlawn Drive and Parallel Road.

The victim, and adult male, has suffered non life-threatening injuries and will be transported to Sinai.

Earlier post: Baltimore County police have confirmed reports that there has been a shooting on the campus of in the woods near the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn.

Elise Armacost, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore County Police Department, said officials are still trying to determine precisely what happened, where it occurred and whether it had anything to do with Social Security. 

An email sent by Social Security officials to staff said the campus is on lock-down and that the gunman apparently has fled the area "and is some distance away."

We'll update the story as more details become available. 

Posted by Peter Hermann at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Baltimore County, Breaking news
        

Baltimore County police are investigating a spate of car thefts and attempted car thefts in in the Wilkens area. Police say the first was reported Aug. 18, and the latest Sept. 27.

The suspects are targeting Doge, Chrysler and Jeeps built between 1994 and 2006. Mos are being taken between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., and most have been found abandon, damaged or crashed before owners even get a chance to report them stolen.

Here is a map of the incidents provided by the police. Police say they have no suspects. Here are some tips, and a tip line for people with cars:  

Continue reading "Baltimore County police investigate 19 car thefts" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

An off-duty Baltimore police officer was arrested last week after leading Baltimore County police officers on a chase and failing a breath test, records show.

County police were monitoring traffic on Sept. 23 at 2 a.m. when a black Lexus sped by an officer's marked cruiser, nearly striking her at a speed of 72 miles per hour in a posted 35 mile per hour zone, charging documents show. The officer attempted to pull over the Lexus, which accelerated and crossed five lanes on Liberty Road near I-695, cutting in front of several vehicles which had to brake to avoid a crash, records show. The vehicle continued to flee for nearly a mile before stopping suddenly.

Police said the driver, identified as Timothy Terrell Smith, failed to exit the vehicle, and officers attempted to forcibly remove him and place him in handcuffs, according to charging documents. The officers then noticed a semi-automatic handgun in a holster on Smith's right waist, and attempted to remove the gun, records show. Officers wrote in charging documents that Smith moved his hands toward the weapon, but officers grabbed his arms and took possession of the gun.

Smith identified himself as a city police officer and was "uncooperative and argumentative throughout the process," records show. Smith told the officers that he saw their emergency lights but did not hear a siren. County police said Smith smelled of alcohol and failed field sobriety tests, then consented to a breath test and registered a .14, according to records.

Anthony Guglielmi, a city police spokesman, said Smith is a five-year department veteran assigned to the Northern District and was immediately suspended after the arrest. He'll face an internal investigation after the court case has played out. "Any activity that undermines the integrity of the agency simply will not be tolerated," Guglielmi said.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Some new details from police on the fatal shooting in Dundalk Sunday night.

Officers had been called to a man threatening suicide and shot a man they said charged at them with a knife from behind a closed glass storm door. The officer who opened fire was outside on the porch.

This has raised some questions about whether the officers were in danger. Late this afternoon, Baltimore County police said this:

The man's girlfriend had told a 911 operator that the man was armed with knives and was “fixing to get someone hurt,” according to a department spokeswoman quoting from a transcript of the call.

Police dispatchers told the officers responding to the rowhouse that the man’s girlfriend had indicated in her 911 call that the man was threatening suicide and that the “first person who comes near him will get stabbed.”

“He was a very dangerous individual,” said police spokeswoman Elise Armacost.

Armacost said the first officer to respond went up to the porch, saw the man inside holding a large knife with his back to her. She turned the door handle and then the man turned and charged at her. A backup officer fired several times through the door, hitting the man.

Reaction from the family:

Continue reading "Man shot by officers through door threatened to stab, police say" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 6:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County, Police shootings
        

A man armed with a knife who was shot during a confrontation with Baltimore County police Sunday night has died, and a department spokeswoman confirmed a witness account that an officer fired at the man through a glass storm door.

"They killed an innocent man who needed help,” said Sandra Jacobs, whose daughter dated the man.

Det. Cathy Batton, a county police spokeswoman, said Monday that the 40-year-old man “was behind a glass door” and  “was charging at the officer” with a knife in his hand. She said the officer and the man were in “close proximity.”

A statement released by police this morning said officer responded about 9:20 p.m. to the home in the 7000 block of Berkshire Road for a man threatening suicide. Officers saw Nathaniel D. McCormick “standing near the door inside the home” and ordered him to drop the knife.

Police said in the statement that he refused. “He then charged toward the front door and the officers standing on the front porch on the other side of the door. Fearing for their safety, one officer fired several rounds from his duty weapon.”

Another spokesman, Lt. Robert McCullough, said the man “was coming through the door at the officer” and at one point had been armed two knives, one with a nine-inch blade. Batton said this morning she did not know which knife he was holding when he was shot.

Police said the shooting is under internal investigation and that the officer who fired his weapon has been placed on routine administrative leave. Batton declined to release the name of the officer.

Read here for more details.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Baltimore County, Police shootings
        

A Baltimore County police officer shot and wounded a man who was threatening to take his own life, and then attacked an officer with a knife, according to a department spokesman.

Few other details were immediately available of the Sunday night incident in Dundalk. The wounded man was being treated at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Names of the officers and the man who was shot were not released Sunday night.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Maryland State Police have long complained about laser pointers interfering with aircraft. Last year, they demonstrated how even a dime-store pointer can blind a pilot, and police made several arrests (read story on the demonstration).

This morning, they announced charges against a 14-year-old Middle River boy, saying he repeatedly shined a green laser into the cockpit of a state police helicopter as it helped Baltimore County police search for a person threatening to commit suicide. Police describe the lasers this way:

Shining lasers at aircraft can have very serious and potentially catastrophic effects. A direct laser strike in an aircraft cockpit can cause temporary blindness and disorientation for the flight crew. If the flash occurs during a critical phase of flight, the crew members can be temporarily incapacitated and unable to perform their in-flight functions effectively. The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has experienced a half dozen laser incidents in 2011 with two leading to prosecution.

Continue reading "Teen charged with pointing laser at police helicopter" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police are seeking help identifying a robbery suspect who they said help up a clerk at a motel and tried to rob a store in a mall.

Police said that on Aug. 26, a man walked into the Comfort Inn in the 5800 block of Baltimore National Pike, implied he had a weapon and demanded money from a cash register. The robbery occurred about 6:20 p.m.

"The suspect ordered the victim onto the ground, and left the location with money from the register," police said in a statement. He was last seen running through the parking lot toward Baltimore National Pike.

On September 1 about 9:10 p.m., police said the same man walked into Macy's at the Security Square Mall in Woodlawn. "He provided an item for the cashier to ring up, and then demanded money from the drawer," the police statement says. The clerk was able to run away, and police said the man "did not get any money."

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 40 to 50 years old, 5’10” tall, approximately 160 pounds, with a dark complexion and short hair. Anyone with information is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587).

To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to "CRIMES" (274637), then enter the message starting with "MCS," or e-mail a tip to www.metrocrimestoppers.org. Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

From the start, it was a test of free speech versus public safety.

Duane Gerald Davis Sr. said he was making a political statement when in February he left a toilet outside a courthouse in Towson. It was adorned with newspaper clippings, an electronic transmitter and a cell phone.

The bomb squad came, and police shut down streets. A bomb-sniffing dog and a robot helped investigate, and Davis was arrested and charged with making a false statement concerning a destructive device. He put his own photos and address on the toilet, and wanted police to investigate the death of his son in Illinois.

Legitimate protest or free speech? Did police over-react or did Davis go too far?

On Thursday, a Baltimore County judge ruled in favor of Davis, saying the state failed to prove its case. I'm seeking out an opinion from the judge, if there is one. Here is a story from today's paper by The Sun's Steve Kilar.

The photo is by Brendan Cavanaugh.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County Police Det. Evelyn Grant is a real life Bones.

The 29-year-old even describes her job as, "Read the bones."

This month, a recreation she sketched of a skull found Westminster in 2007 was matched to a woman who had went missing in Baltimore 14 years ago. It gave the police new leads in a murder and the family a body to bury.

Grant is one of 22 certified forensic artists in the country. She does the traditional sketches of suspects from witness interviews, but she also takes skeletal remains and gives them faces. She's helped police in Pennsylvania and Prince George's County.

Her most recent work identified Toni Dee Vogel. Here is a picture of the victim, before she disappeared from South Baltimore, and the sketch Grant came up with using nothing more than a skull and strand of hair. 

A person saw the sketch and identified the victim, confirmed by police by matching DNA to Vogel's mother. The case has been ruled a homicide.

Grant was a fun interview. She talked about how her husband buys her art supplies and doesn't seem to mind that she handles skeletons as part of her job. She carries her sketches with her -- faces of the dead in her purse.

The pictures here were taken by The Sun's Barbara Haddock Taylor.

Read the complete story here.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Breaking news from The Sun's Andrea Siegel:

The teenager who pleaded guilty in the beating of a transgender woman at a Rosedale McDonald's was sentenced Tuesday to 5 years in prison.

(Read more stories about the attack here, and look at video from the restaurant).

Teonna Monae Brown, 19, pleaded guilty last month to first-degree assault and a hate crime after the beating of Chrissy Lee Polis, 22. The April attack drew national attention after a video of it went viral online.

Brown was sentenced to 10 years total but five years were suspended. She will also serve three years' supervised probation. The combined maximum sentence for the crimes is 35 years.

In court, Brown apologized for the attack. "My mother didn't raise me like this," Brown said. "I would really like to apologize to the victim."

Polis submitted a statement to court but did not attend the sentencing. "My private life has been exposed to the world. I lost my job. I cannot go anywhere without the fear of getting hurt again," Polis wrote. "I want to go into a hole and hide."

Posted by Peter Hermann at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A Baltimore County basketball coach was charged over the weekend with sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy, police said Monday, but the coach's employer defended the man, The Sun's Luke Broadwater reports.

Police have charged Tyrone Terry Jordan, 55, of the 3400-block of Oakfield Avenue in Gwynn Oak, with sexual abuse of a minor, a felony, and fourth-degree sex offense, a misdemeanor.

A 14-year-old boy told police that Jordan, his basketball coach, had touched him inappropriately on Aug. 31 while he was at the Hoops Summer Camp, located in the 3700 block of Twin Lakes Court in Windsor Mill, at the Twin Lakes Racquet Club, according to Baltimore County police.

Court records show that Jordan was charged in 1997 in Baltimore City with a third-degree sex offense, a felony, but was not convicted. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault in that case and received probation before judgment. Details of that case were not immediately available.

The owner of the Twin Lakes Racquet Club, Vadim Fishkin, asked the public not to jump to conclusions. Fishkin said he has eight cameras recording the facility at all times and police have not yet reviewed the footage.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 4:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The first black motorcycle officer for the Baltimore County Police force has died. The Sun's Erik Maza takes a look at her career (read full obituary here):

Astride the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, the Baltimore County police officer cut a striking figure. The officer was a rookie, on the short side — and an African-American woman.

Twenty years ago, Gwendolyn Parrish became the first black woman on the Baltimore County police force on motorcycle patrol.

The image of her wearing "black leather motorcycle boots up to her knees" is still the way Baltimore County police chief James Johnson remembers Parrish, who died last Saturday at 56 from complications following surgery.

"It takes a strong woman to handle that big machine," Johnson said. "Gwendolyn was tough. … She was a shining example of America's best in law enforcement."

Here is a statement from Baltimore County Police:

Continue reading "Remembering Officer Parrish" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

While everyone was trying to stay dry on Thursday, I spent the day trying to get wet.

I headed down to Severna Park, to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department's Jones station, Company 23, headquarters of the special operations command. Accompanied by Sun photographer Barbara Haddock Taylor (her pic at left), I was trying to get out with a water rescue team on a call.

In the photo, Lt. Jeff Halpern, left, and Firefighter/Paramedic Ronnie Carr await a call. Read The Sun's storm coverage. Read Frank Roylance's weather blog for the latest updates.

The previous 12 to 14 hours had been busy for firefighters here, responding to more an a dozen calls for people trapped in water, most of them after having driven into what at first glance looked like a puddle but was really a small lake.ne person had died in Pasadena, a person a bit south drove into a sink hole big enough to have swallowed her car, and firefighters got their truck stuck while helping a county police officer, also stranded in the water. In another case, police officers used ropes to rescue a stranded motorists (more details on that later).

More details below:

Continue reading "Firefighters rescue people stranded by storm" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Crime elsewhere
        

Howard Scott Kalin, the Baltimore County magician who was arrested in Florida on a charge of seeking sex from a child, has signed a plea agreement with prosecutors.

The Orlando Sentinel reports:

A Baltimore balloon entertainer faces up to 10 years in prison after signing a plea agreement in which he admitted traveling to Lake County for sex with a 14-year-old boy he found through an Internet personal ad.

Here is some background from our story in May:

Continue reading "Local Magician signs plea agreement in child sex case" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Courts and the justice system, Crime elsewhere
        

Baltimore County police say they have charged a former day camp and studio operator with sexaully abusing a female, teen-aged relative.

The suspect also works as a code enforcer for the county goverment, and has been suspended.

Police said the girl told them she was attacked at her home and at the suspect's business, School House Studio Company. The camp he ran, Superior Christian Summer Camp, was located on the grounds of Towson University.

Here are more details from a police statement:

Continue reading "Former camp operator, code inspector arrested in sexual attack on teen" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 4:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Former Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan, a Cy Young Award winner who became a television announcer and top executive with the club, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Wednesday afternoon, according to police.

Though one media report that was widely circulated said the suicide was prompted by depression over his role with the team, police said Thursday that Flanagan had been upset about financial issues.

Flanagan's wife, Alex, who was out of town, had sent a neighbor to their house in the 15000 block of York Road in Sparks on Wednesday afternoon when she didn't hear from her husband. According to police, Alex had last spoken to an upset Flanagan around 1 a.m. and was concerned when he failed to call her the following day. The neighbor, unable to find Flanagan, called 911.

Baltimore County police found Flanagan's body on trail about 250 feet behind his home around 4:30 p.m.

Police confirmed Thursday that Flanagan, 59, appeared to have shot himself in the face, making identification difficult and causing official confirmation of his death to be delayed. Flanagan did not leave a note, police said.

The Flanagan family released a short statement Thursday through the Orioles.

"We thank you for your support and kind words at this difficult time. Thank you for respecting our privacy as we grieve," the statement said, adding that a private memorial would be held but did not provide details.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 3:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

In an odd twist, the state medical examiner has ruled the death of a man who was run over by a Bobcat to be a homicide, overturning the conclusions of several police agencies who believe the case to be an accident (read full story here).

Joseph A. Miranda, 19, died in July 2006 when he jumped off the small front-end loader and was run over. Police said the driver had been looking back and didn't see Miranda get off the earth-mover. The medical examiner's office initially ruled the death undermined.

But the victim's mother brought the chief medical examiner a deposition taken from the only witness in a civil suit against the landscaping company where her son worked. The medical examiner told me the statements contradict earlier accounts and the results of the autopsy.

Maryland's chief medical examiner, Dr. David R. Fowler, said that the victim had at one point been standing on the wheel and in the bucket of the Bobcat, making it difficult for him to believe the driver didn't see him. He also said the victim suffered only head injuries, inconsistent with fall through two wheels, as the original police account says.

Baltimore County police say they aren't pursuing criminal charges and the case has been closed. Still, because of the ruling, Miranda's death gets added to this year's homicide count, making him the county's 18th victim. How the ruling of homicide bears on the civil case remains to be seen.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 6:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police say a man found dead in a vehicle that crashed in Parkville had first been stabbed in a domestic altercation. Here's the statement from police on the killing and the quick arrest:

Baltimore County Police have charged Vincent Garnett Forney, 44, of the 1700-block of Forrest Avenue, 21234, with first degree murder after a stabbing on August 20. 

On August 20 at 10:30 p.m., officers responded for a motor vehicle crash in the 1700-block of Forrest Avenue, 21234.  911 callers advised that a white vehicle crashed off the roadway and into the woods.  When officers located the white 2008 Honda Accord, the driver was not breathing and had injuries that did not appear to be from the crash.  Jamari Davon Mathis, 38, of the 4000-block of Ridgecroft Road, 21206, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Detectives determined that Jamari Mathis attempted to visit a female friend in the 1700-block of Forrest Avenue, 21234.  Vincent Forney was visiting at the same house when the victim came to the location.  There was an argument at the home, and Vincent Forney stabbed the victim. Jamari Mathis tried to drive away from the home, but crashed a short time later. 

Vincent Forney was arrested on August 21, charged with first degree murder, and is currently being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center without bail.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 5:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Last week's raid by Baltimore County police on the Black Hole Rock Club in Dundalk has triggered a wave of responses from readers. Many support the club and complain the police unfairly targeted the manager, who authorities suspect of at least condoning rampant drug distribution.

The bar has a troubled history in the neighborhood and with the liquor board. Read today's article on the contentious past and police efforts to padlock the two-story, barn-like building. Here, read a previous blog post that has a lengthy police statement detailing their side of the raid. It's worth reading before you get to the next part (pictures are by The Sun's Joe Soriero).

Thursday night, I got a series of emails from former patrons. Here are there stories:

Continue reading "Supporters of Black Hole club respond; police want to padlock building" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police are searching for two men who tried to rob and then assaulted a Giant Foods worker outside a store in Owings Mills, in the police department's Precinct 3/Franklin district. The worker was retrieving grocery carts when he was attacked.

Police said the worker was hit when he told the men he didn't have any money. Here is a video from police. A statement with more details on the incident is below:

Continue reading "Men try to rob, then assault Giant worker outside store" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 2:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Jermaine Lewis, the former Ravens wide-receiver and kickoff returner, has been released on $50,000 bail pending his trial on charges that he resisted arrest at his Baltimore County home.

Police had gone to his house after several motorists on Monday reported his car swerving on county roads near Boring, and running over a sign in front of a volunteer fire company. Police said an officer used a Taser to subdue the retired player, who returned a kickoff to help the Ravens win the 2001 Super Bowl.

Read a story on the arrest here.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (21)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

In this time of fiscal frugality, here comes a financial advisor who federal authorities say bilked "vulnerable clients" out of more than $838,000. An indictment says the suspect stole from a trust for a child with birth defects and from an 85-year-old with dementia.

Ralph Edward Thomas Jr., 52, was charged with mail fraud. The licensed insurer, between 2000 and 2004, was vice president of Harbor Financial, a subsidiary of Harbor Bank that did financial planning and sold insurance. He worked for Well Fargo Advisors from 2004 through 2010, authorities say.

The details are below from a statement from the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office:

Continue reading "Financial advisor accused of bilking clients, including trust for child and elderly man" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County, Courts and the justice system
        

An update on the arrest of ex-Ravens Jermaine Lewis: 

Former Ravens player Jermaine Lewis, who returned a kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown in the team’s 2001 Super Bowl victory, has been charged with driving recklessly and resisting arrest after police said an officer had to fire a Taser to subdue him.

Police said witnesses followed Lewis’ vehicle Monday evening and reported it swerving and running over a volunteer fire company sign before it turned into the player’s home on Pleasant Grove Road in northern Baltimore County.

A police officer who went to the home said in a report that he found the 36-year-old Lewis lying on his living room couch, smelling of alcohol, and that the retired wide-receiver fought attempts to put him in handcuffs.

“I ain’t hurt no one,” Lewis shouted, according to a charging document filed in court. “I’m in my house.” After being stunned by the Tased and arrested, Lewis shouted three times, “I did it!” the report says.

He was ordered held on $50,000 bail, but a representative of Big Boyz Bail Bonds said the company was in the process of getting him freed Tuesday evening. Lewis could not be reached for comment. A woman at his home, Imara Lewis, declined to comment when reached by phone.

Continue reading "County officer used Taser to subdue ex-Ravens Jermaine Lewis" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 4:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A 27-year-old man whose blood alcohol level measured twice the legal limit and who was speeding at 82 mph when his car struck two pedestrians on the shoulder of Interstate 70 was sentenced on Tuesday to 20 years in prison.

Donneil Raeburn had been found guilty in April of two counts of manslaughter. Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Patrick Cavanaugh handed the suspect the maximum sentence, 10 years for each victim, and made the terms consecutive.

The families of the victims, Jonathan Henderson, 29, and his girlfriend, Mary-Kathryn Abernathy, 21, issued a statement after the hearing.

Continue reading "Man gets 20 years in auto-manslaughter case" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 4:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Former Baltimore Ravens wide-receiver Jermaine Lewis, who returned a kickoff in the team’s 2001 Super Bowl victory, was arrested Tuesday and charged with resisting arrest after a hit-and-run accident in Baltimore County, according to police. At far left, he's pictured after his Super Bowl return, in a photo by The Sun's Karl Merton Ferron. His mug shot is at right.

Few details were immediately available. Baltimore County Police Chief James W. Johnson confirmed the arrest in an interview with The Baltimore Sun. “I was told he became combative and resisted,” the chief said.

It was not immediately clear where in Baltimore County the incident occurred, or what time. Johnson said a police report would be provided later today.

According to court documents, Lewis, whose address is listed in Reisterstown, was charged with one count of resisting arrest and interfering with a police officer. He was being held on $50,000 bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center pending a formal bail hearing.

Lewis, 36, played for the University of Maryland and nine seasons in the National Football League — with the Ravens from 1996 to 2001, the Houston Texans in 2002, the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003 to 2004. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 2001 and as all-pro first team returner in 1998.

He played 111 NFL games, had 143 receptions and averaged 14.9 yards a catch. He averaged 11.1 yards on punt returns and 21.8 yards on kick returns, and he scored 23 touchdowns. His 84-yard kickoff return in the 2001 Super Bowl helped the Ravens seal a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The calls, comments and emails are pouring in about the Baltimore County police raid of the Black Hole Rock Club in Dundalk. As we reported Monday, cops swarmed the bar and shut it down, alleging rampant drug dealing.

(I'd love to talk to longtime patrons of the bar, and those who oppose it. Please email me at peter.hermann@baltsun.com. You must be willing to be quoted by name).

Seven people, including the manager and four patrons, were charged with drug offenses, the county police chief wants to padlock the joint as a public nuisance and other officials said the building was in such bad shape it had to be condemned. Read statement from Baltimore County police.

One of the patrons charged with drug possession, Elizabeth Kim Lee Walger, 25, called me this morning to complain about her name being published, and then she offered an explanation for her being there.

She told me she had stopped going because of problems but returned when a friend asked her to come see him spin records. She picked the wrong evening. Cops came in and she got caught up in the case.

“I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he told me, complaining about being identified. “My family is going to  see that. That’s what I’m mainly worried about. It’s damning. There’s no way I’m going to be able to flip that and make it look okay.”

Walger said that the bar used to be a place to go for good music and to meet new people. “People went there to hang out and make new friends,” she said. “It used to be about a lifestyle. It wasn’t about drugs and selling drugs. It was about the music and the people. Then a lot of people stopped going because of what it turned into. That night was the first night I had been back in three months.”

Walger said she got caught up in the arrests because a group of underage girls told police they had seen her in the bathroom smoking marijuana. She denies this. “There is no proof that I had it whatsoever,” she told me.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (32)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The federal government is looking to seize $90,000 in cash found in a dead Baltimore County man's rental car after he was killed in an apparent "hit" by a New York drug organization, according to recently filed court papers.

On Jan. 10, Baltimore County police responded to gunshots at 9809 Lands Road and found Nathan Bowles, 41, dead in the stairway of his apartment. Authorities searched his apartment and found one ounce of marijuana, digital scales, and packaging materials. 

Gwendolyn Price, a special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, wrote in court papers that detectives learned that Bowles and another man were planning to travel to New York and had rented a 2010 Honda Accord. Detectives gathered information that Bowles was a "multi-pound marijuana dealer who traveled to New York regularly to conduct illicit drug business" and that "individuals interviewed believed that Bowles' murder was a hit from the New York organization."

In March, county police charged a Brooklyn, N.Y. man in Bowles' death, who has pleaded not guilty.

Detectives search the rental car and found a bag containing $90,000 in cash, wrapped in $1,000 bundles. Price wrote that Bowles and the other man he rented the vehicle with do not have a record of reporting income, and say the cash should be seized as drug proceeds.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 8:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

More than 100 Baltimore County police officers raided a Dundalk night club last week, alleging that "drugs were used openly throughout the club and undercover officers purchased narcotics inside the club at several times during the investigation."

Several people were arrested and Baltimore County's police chief said in a statement issued Monday that he might try to use the padlock law to shut the bar down. The manager of the club was among those arrested on drug charges, according to authorities. Police said the building was condemned after the raid.

Here is the complete statement from Baltimore County police: 

Continue reading "Baltimore County police raid Dundalk bar; allege drugs sold in Black Hole Rock Club" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 5:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

New details on suspect in credit card theft from Baltimore County police:

Baltimore County Police are looking for a woman they say is responsible for the theft of wallets and credit cards from the St. Joseph’s Hospital Breast Cancer Center in Towson.

On July 21, between 11:20 a.m. and 12:40 p.m, an unidentified woman committed the theft at the medical facility. She also attempted to enter other medical facilities in the Towson area, but was diverted by employees before she could commit the same crime.

After the theft, the suspect entered an area mall at around 1 p.m and used the stolen cards to purchase merchandise. After leaving the mall, she used the credit cards at area Target stores where she bought infant products and electronic devices. In a matter of hours, the suspect used the stolen cards to purchase $14,000 worth of merchandise.

The suspect is a black female, in her late 20s early 30s, 5’5” – 5’7”, with a medium build. Police believe the suspect maybe driving a silver 2010 Nissan Altima with unknown tags.

 If you have seen or know this woman and her whereabouts, you are asked to contact Detective M. Coyne at 410-887-2190.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County Police are looking for a woman they say is responsible for the theft of wallets and credit cards from a medical center in Towson.

On July 21, between 11:20 a.m. and 12:40 p.m, an unidentified woman committed the theft at the medical facility. She also attempted to enter other medical facilities in the Towson area, but was diverted by employees before she could commit the same crime.

After the theft, the suspect entered an area mall at around 1 p.m and used the stolen cards to purchase merchandise. After leaving the mall, she used the credit cards at area Target stores where she bought infant products and electronic devices. In a matter of hours, the suspect used the stolen cards to purchase $14,000 worth of merchandise.

 The suspect is a black female, in her late 20s early 30s, 5’5” – 5’7”, with a medium build. Police believe the suspect may be driving a silver 2010 Nissan Altima with unknown tags. If you have seen or know this woman and her whereabouts, you are asked to contact Detective M. Coyne at 410-887-2190.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 4:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A criminal complaint filed by federal authorities reveals a substantial haul from a suspected drug dealer's house and car in Woodlawn. Police said they found a backpack in a silver Infiniti with $238,131 in cash inside.

Here is the complaint that provides some interesting insight into the drug culture:

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County prosecutors have released the plea agreement they made with Teonna Monae Brown, the 19-year-old charged with beating a transgendered woman in a McDonald's, a case that caused a sensation when the video went viral.

Watch two videos the case: an interview with Polis and a surveillance video of the fight.

Brown pleaded guilty to assault and committing a hate crime in the attack on Chrissy Polis. Prosecutors said they will seek a prison term of five years when Brown is sentenced in September. Here is the plea agreement:

Continue reading "Prosecutors release plea agreement in transgender beating" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Breaking news from Andrea Siegel:

A teenager whose beating of a transgender woman at a Rosedale McDonald's was captured on a video (one above is from a McDonald's surveillance camera, provided by the Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office) that went viral online pleaded guilty Thursday to the attack.

Teonna Monae Brown, 19, pleaded guilty in a Baltimore County courtroom to one court of first-degree assault and one count of a hate crime in the attack on Chrissy Polis, 22, said Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger.

The April attack brought attention nationwide to the plight of transgender people, with thousands signing online petitions and holding rallies. Prosecutors expect to seek a prison term of five years when Brown is sentenced next month.

The girl who was charged as a juvenile in the same attack admitted her role in juvenile court on July 1 and was committed to a locked facility, Shellenberger said.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Maryland State Police have charged a man with assaulting a woman on I-83 after authorities say he rear-ended her vehicle and then tried to get her to not report the incident.

Michael Henshaw, 30, of York, Pa., was charged with second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and robbery. Police also said he is being charged with driving on a suspended license, reckless driving and failure to remain at the scene of an accident.

The incident occurred Friday, July 29, about 10 p.m. in Parkton. The woman and man were each driving northbound when police said a man in Jeep hit the woman's car. Both stopped and got out, and police said the man offered the woman money to not call police and settle on the side.

When the woman tried to dial 911 from her cell phone, police said the suspect "knocked her to the ground," grabbed her phone and punched her in the face. She managed to run away but police said the man grabbed her again and dragged toward some woods. She got away again, got back to her car and drove away.

Police said they arrested Henshaw at his house after releasing a composite sketch of the suspect and putting out a description of the Jeep, which had front-end damage. Police said numerous people called with tips. He was being held in a jail in York, Pa., pending extradition to Maryland.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A 34-year-old man from northern Baltimore County is among 72 people charged this week with participating in an international child pornography ring that federal authorities say traded in tens of thousands of illicit images.

The Associated Press, citing immigration officials, named the suspect as Desmond Meredith, of the 21000 block of York Road in Freeland. He faces several charges including sexual exploitation of children and engaging in child pornography. He was indicted by a grand jury in Shreveport, La.

Court documents show the indictment was returned in October and unsealed on Wednesday, when law enforcement authorities in Washington announced the investigation, called Operation Delego, and made arrests in more than a half-dozen states.

Prosecutors said the suspects were part of a members-only Internet club called Dreamboard which they said had 600 members around the world. Court documents show numerous participants are accused of sexually abusing children, producing images and videos and sharing them with other club members.

Continue reading "Baltimore County man charged in suspected International porn ring" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Maryland State Police looking for a man in a case of road-rage.

They say he assaulted a woman on northbound I-83 after rear-ending her vehicle near Parkton, and then pleading with her to not report the accident.

Police said the man offered her money to settle.

The woman refused, police said, and the man knocked her to the ground and held her here, refusing to let her go until she promised nto to call the police.

When she tried to run, police said he chased her down, dragger her toward trees and threatened to kill her.

More detail and a description of the attacker:

Continue reading "Police investigate violent road rage on I-83" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 5:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

National Night Out has become a big community event, getting residents and cops together to take back the streets. Below is a list of events in the city and the counties, scheduled for today, Aug. 2

National Night outs:

Baltimore City

Baltimore County

Harford County

Anne Arundel County

Howard County

I could only find one in Carroll County, in Eldersburg. Here is a link to details. If anyone knows of more here, please let me know and I'll post.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, City Hall, Confronting crime, East Baltimore, Howard County, Neighborhoods, North Baltimore, Northeast Baltimore, Northwest Baltimore, South Baltimore, Southeast Baltimore, Southwest Baltimore, West Baltimore
        

From reporter Arthur Hirsch:

An account clerk in Baltimore County's Budget and Finance department has been suspended without pay after she was arrested in her office this week on theft charges, a county spokeswoman said.

Santrel L. Goodwin, 30, of Towson, was arrested at the historic courthouse on Washington Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, said Baltimore County spokeswoman Ellen Kobler. Charging documents filed at District Court in Towson show that Goodwin was charged with stealing a man's wallet in June and charging nearly $1,000 on a credit card.

Kobler said Goodwin worked as an account clerk, was hired by the department in December, 2008 and went through routine criminal background checks that turned up no convictions. She said Goodwin did not have access to sensitive information and the county is "confident" that no such information was compromised.

Kobler said Goodwin was suspended Thursday without pay pending the outcome of the case.  Baltimore County Police Det. Cathy Batton said Goodwin was released on Tuesday after posting $3,500 bail.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 2:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County Police are investigating a bank robbery that occurred at the PNC Bank inside of Giant Food, 8100-block of Loch Raven Boulevard, 21286.
 
Baltimore County police are searching for a man who robbed a PNC Bank branch inside a Giant Food store on Loch Raven Boulevard. The holdup occurred about 1:30 p.m. when police said man handed a note a teller demanding money and implying he was armed.

He left with the store and may have driven away in a vehicle. Police said the man was in his late 30s to early 40s, stands about 5 feet 10 inche tall and weights about 190 pounds. He has a light to medium complexion.

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587).

To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to "CRIMES" (274637), then enter the message starting with "MCS," or e-mail a tip to Metro Crime Stoppers. Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County Police said Monday that they arrested two suspects late Sunday for a double shooting in Woodlawn earlier in the day that left one victim dead. They also identified the victims of the shootings and said detectives were able to determine that the victims and suspects knew each other before the incident.

According to Det. Cathy Batton, the suspects arrested Sunday were Ryan Mackenzie McLean, 17, of the unit block of Calgary Court, and Elrich Delona Smith, 18, of the 900 block of Joshua Tree Court. McLean and Smith were both charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. Smith was also charged with use of a handgun during a felony crime.

The victims were identified as Darnell Hill, 22, of the 4100 block of Brookside Oaks Road, and Katelyn Messina, 17, of the 10800 block of Liberty Road.

On Sunday at 4:45 a.m., police said, officers responded to a report of a shooting around Stansfield Lane and Stansfield Court. They found Hill suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso, and Messina suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest and head. Both victims were transported to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where Messina was pronounced dead later in the day. Hill remains hospitalized Monday with “very serious injuries,” according to Batton.

According to police, the exact motive for the shooting is unknown. Both suspects are being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center, awaiting trial.

Here is a statement from Baltimore County Police:

Continue reading "Arrests made in double shooting in Woodlawn; one victim dies" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

From Baltimore County Police:

Baltimore County Police are releasing two sketches of men in connection with the Club Baltimore shooting on July 2. George William Bryant was found in the parking lot suffering from gunshot wounds and was later pronounced deceased at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

Baltimore County Police detectives are trying to identify the individuals in these photographs who are believed to have been at the nightclub at the time of the shooting.  
 
Anyone with information about the identities or whereabouts of these two individuals is asked to call the Baltimore County Police Department at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587).

To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to "CRIMES" (274637,) then enter the message starting with "MCS" or e-mail a tip to Metro Crime Stoppers. Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a case reward of up to $2000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of a suspect for this case. 
 

Posted by Peter Hermann at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Maryland State Police are seeking a man charged with pushing his girlfriend out of a vehicle that was traveling 60 mph along Interstate 95 earlier this week. The 27-year-old woman "bounced on the road several times," police said, but she managed to crawl to the side.

The woman was seriously injured and is being treated at Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

Police identified the suspect as Dante A. Williams, 36, who lives at several locations in Baltimore, Brooklyn and Catonsville.

He is charged in a warrant with attempted first-degree murder and assault, and police said they believe he is armed with a knife.

Continue reading "Police seek man accused of pushing girlfriend out of moving car on I-95" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 3:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police are seeking help from light rail passengers in identifying people who may have witnessed a double stabbing that occurred at the Patapsco Avenue station. It occurred Saturday shortly before midnight.

Baltimore County police said in a statement:

Officers responded to the light rail station in the 700-block of West Patapsco Avenue, 21227 for an armed robbery call. Two victims, a 27-year-old male and a 19-year-old male, were walking to the buses when they were confronted by a group of suspects. Both victims were stabbed multiple times and had their cell phones and other personal property taken during the robbery. 

The 19-year-old victim boarded an MTA bus and left the light rail station. He was taken to a local firehouse for treatment. Both victims were transported to Shock Trauma for treatment of serious injuries. A third victim, a 45-year-old male, tried to intervene to stop the robbery and was punched. He did not require medical treatment for his injuries. 

Continue reading "Police seeking help in Light Rail stabbings" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

[UPDATE: While the New Jersey press reported that Dwek's whereabouts were previously unknown, I was pointed to a link tonight showing that the Baltimore Jewish Times had written about Dwek's local residency a full year and a half ago, link here. I regret the oversight.]

The operator of a massive Ponzi scheme and key informant in a federal corruption sting in New Jersey, which led to the arrests of dozens of politicians, public officials and rabbis, has been living in Pikesville while waiting to testify in the cases.

The information first came to light late last month in New Jersey, when Solomon Dwek, 38, was unable to take the stand in the trial of the former mayor of Secaucus, N.J. because of an arrest here. Dwek, who turned informant after being implicated in a $400 million Ponzi scheme, was charged in Baltimore with failure to return a rental car, triggering a federal judge to revoke his bail.

On Thursday, the car theft charges were dropped in Baltimore District Court. Defense attorney Marc Zayon called the case a "financial oversight with no criminal intent." He said the car had been returned to Hertz Rent-a-Car, where Dwek is a "gold" member, and all payments had been made.

But Dwek's troubles are far from over. His bail was revoked after the FBI said he lied in an affidavit when quizzed about the car theft, and a federal judge ordered him jailed over recommendations from prosecutors that he be placed on home monitoring. A $12,500 monthly stipend he was receiving from a federal bankruptcy trustee has been revoked, along with a $100-an-hour private security team.

With Dwek incarcerated, prosecutors had to move forward without his testimony in the trial of former Mayor Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, who was convicted last week of bribery but acquitted on extortion charges.

Continue reading "Informant in N.J. corruption probe has been living in Pikesville" »

Posted by Justin Fenton at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Crime elsewhere
        

From a police statement:

Baltimore County Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying six individuals in reference to a robbery investigation for an incident at the Owings Mills Mall, 10300 Mill Run Circle, 21117 on June 13.   

On June 13 at 12:02 a.m., an employee of the Greene Turtle, unit-block of Restaurant Park Drive, 21117, reported that he was robbed while walking home from work. He told officers that he was cutting across the parking lot of Owings Mills Mall when two suspects approached him and displayed a handgun.  The victim gave his wallet, cellular phone, MP3 player, and his keys to the suspects.  The victim ran home to report the crime, and the suspects were last seen running across the mall parking lot. Detectives later recovered surveillance video and are attempting to identify six individuals as part of their investigation.  

Continue reading "Police seek robbery suspects in attack at Owings Mills Mall" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 1:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County's Police Chief James Johnson said he is "prepared to act" against a White Marsh club where a 36-year-old man was fatally shot last weekend, saying the club has a history of noise complaints and fights.

"We hoped that the owner of Club Baltimore will cooperate with Precinct 9's efforts to improve conditions there," Johnson said in a news release. "But we are looking at taking action against the club if that does not happen."

"I'm extremely concerned about last weekend's homicide as well as the actions of the patrons on the club parking lot that night," Johnson said, referring to a melee that accompanied the shooting of George William Bryant Jr.

Club Baltimore owners are scheduled to appear before the county liquor board in August for noise complaints, the news release says.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The 13-year-old case of a missing Baltimore County doctor was solved Tuesday, with a surprise murder confession announced in a federal courtroom nearly a thousand miles away, The Sun's Tricia Bishop reports.

Dr. Henry Peter Ackerman was a 48-year-old widower and recent transplant to the Baltimore area when he went missing in the summer of 1998 during a trip to Memphis, Tenn. He and his wife, Velma, had lived in a suburb there before her death from leukemia in 1994, and Ackerman went back to the area planning to buy a vehicle and drive it to his new home in Maryland, federal prosecutors said.

But he never returned, and more than a decade would pass before anyone looked to Dale Mardis, a gun dealer, for answers.

Mardis, 57, was convicted earlier this year in federal court in Tennessee in the racially motivated killing of an African-American code enforcement officer named Mickey Wright in 2001. Mardis shot Wright, dismembered the body with a Becker BK-1 Brute survival knife, burned it and spread the remains in junk cars that were later crushed, according to court documents and news accounts

Posted by Justin Fenton at 4:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Courts and the justice system, Crime elsewhere
        

UPDATE: Baltimore County Police Chief James W. Johnson told reporters that his agency confirmed the victim was a witness in a city murder only after her relatives divulged that information to reporters.  

Baltimore County police have charged the boyfriend with killing his 25-year-old girlfriend and her 4-year-old daughter, whose bodies were found this week in an apartment in Parkville. Police also revealed that the victims had been shot.

Brian Lamont Eggleston Jr., 28, has been charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Alicia Lee Avery and her daughter Darry'el Parker. The domestic nature of the killing has left city police fuming that a county police spokeswoman revealed that Avery was under protection as a witness in a city murder case.

The statements implied that the motive was witness intimidation and that city police had failed to protect Avery. County police had said they were unawre that Avery had been placed in the apartment by the city.

Privately, city cops are upset by the false implication and that Avery has been outed as a witness by another police agency. A city police source said the killing of Avery had nothing to do with the murder case. Reporter Steve Kilar is heading to a news confernce this morning to seek more answers.

Here is a statement from Baltimore County police:

Continue reading "Police arrest boyfriend in Parkville double killing; city police fuming over disclosure that victim was in witness protection" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police continued on Tuesday to investigate the suspicious deaths of a mother and her 4-year-old daughter whose bodies were found in their Parkville apartment.

Authorities identified the victims as Alicia Avery, 25, and her daughter Darry'el Parker. They were found by police officers Monday afternoon in a bedroom of their temporary residence in the 8700 block of Loch Bend Drive.

A cause of death had not been determined by Tuesday evening, and no arrests had been made. But County police spokeswoman Cathy Batton said the victim had been relocated to the apartment by city police. She said county police were unaware that Avery and her daughter were at the apartment.

Avery had been an informant for Baltimore City police since March, said a city law enforcement source who cannot be identified because he is not authorized to speak with reporters. City police officers found the bodies, the source said, after they were unable to contact Avery.

That information emerged after Batton indicated that Avery was a witness in an upcoming case, which the source said was not accurate. Avery had been working with police but charges had not been filed.

Avery's cooperation with police is only one element of the county's investigation into her death, Batton said. She declined to comment on a possible motive in the slaying.

-Steve Kilar with Justin Fenton

Posted by Justin Fenton at 6:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police are in Parkville this morning investigating the suspicious deaths of a woman and her daughter, who were found dead Monday in heir apartment in the 8700 block of Loch Bend Drive.

The Sun's Meredith Cohn reports that Alicia Avery, 25, and Dariel Parker, 4, had not been seen for several days, and when police officers entered the apartment, they found the pair. Police say the deaths are suspicious and detectives investigating, though no information on suspects was available Monday evening.

The bodies have been taken to the medical examiner for autopsies, police said.

Sun reporter Steve Kilar is on his way to Parkville and we'll have more news as it develops.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

UPDATE: Trial postponed after defendant fires lawyer

Free speech or fake bomb?

That's the question that could be answered as the trial opens for the man charged with leaving a device on a Towson street that police say was meant to look like a bomb, and  scare people, and the owner says was meant only to express his political views.

Here's a picture gallery from the scene.

The Sun's Nick Madigan explains:

A man accused of leaving a device that appeared to be a bomb — actually a toilet equipped with electric gadgets — outside a Baltimore County administration building in February is scheduled to stand trial today in a courthouse just down the block from where the incident took place.

Duane G. Davis, 51, who has a history of objecting to political figures and institutions, was charged with two counts under state laws tailored to address items that might be bombs or could appear to be toxic or dangerous.

The first charge accuses Davis of making a false statement about a destructive device, meaning that the act of leaving the toilet where it was gave the false impression of creating a dangerous situation. The second count refers to the toilet and its gadgets, under a law that forbids the placement of any item “that is construed to represent a destructive device with the intent to terrorize, frighten, intimidate, threaten or harass.”

Continue reading "Toilet "bomb" case goes to trial today" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

UPDATE: County police said in an e-mail sent out at about 3:35 PM that Markel was found earlier this afternoon. 

From Baltimore County Police:

Baltimore County Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Markel Justin Dates, an 11-year-old boy missing from the Woodlawn Precinct. The child lives in the unit-block of Cahill Court, 21244. 

Markel Dates was last seen in the area of Richglen Drive and Kafern Drive, 21207 at       6 p.m. yesterday. Friends reported seeing him walking in the direction of his house. He did not come home last night, and his family reported him missing this morning. 

Markel Dates is a black male, 11 years old, 5’6” tall, 120 pounds, with brown eyes and short black hair.  He was last seen wearing black jeans and a black shirt. He may also have a green and yellow polo shirt with him. 

Baltimore County Police are asking anyone who may have seen Markel Dates to call the Baltimore County Police Department at 410-887-1340 or 410-307-2020. 

Posted by Peter Hermann at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A body pulled from the Liberty Reservoir on Sunday has been identified as the Baltimore city fire recruit who went missing n May and had been the subject of an intensive search. Rodney E. Goggins Jr., 20, had apparently left his car in the area, which was found shortly after he had disappeared.

"This entire ordeal has been especially troubling to the recruits and the members of the department. We all had held out hope and optimism of his return," said city Fire Department spokesman Kevin Cartwright. "We continue to pray for the family."

Boaters had called the Baltimore City Watershed Rangers patrolling the reservoir shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday, reporting that they saw a body near the Carroll County shoreline area south of the Liberty Road Bridge. The rangers found the partially decomposed body in a remote area with dense vegetation, and contacted the sheriff's office and rescue dive teams from Gamber Volunteer Fire Company. Goggins' body was taken to the Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Pit bulls have a bad reputation.

But a pit bull named Mya is a victim.

A man and a woman have been charged with stealing the dog during a burglary at a Baltimore County home. Police said the dog's owner had left the pit bull home alone, but assure authorities that he checked on the pet daily.

Police say they do not know a motive for the dognapping. The suspect's are pictured in police mug shots at left.

Statement from police:

Continue reading "Two charged with stealing pit bull" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 4:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Cops are lucky when they have a face to put to a bank robber. But Baltimore County police are asking a lot if they expect to make a bust based on this surveillance picture.

All they got was a rear-end -- literally.

Police say two men on May 19 held up the PNC Bank in the 13800 block of York Road, a branch located inside the Broadmead Retirement Community.

They approached the teller about 2:20 p.m., and one jumped over the counter and pushed an employee down.

They took and undisclosed amount of money from the drawer and ran out a back door. The suspects are described as black males, 20-30 years old, with a medium build, and dark complexion. 

Anyone with information about the identities of the suspects is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587).

To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to "CRIMES" (274637), then enter the message starting with "MCS," or e-mail a tip to Metro Crime Stopper.

Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 5:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Weeks after his office and home were raided by federal agents, attorney Stanley Needleman is in trouble again — this time with allegedly stealing a judicial clerk's school textbook from a Baltimore County courtroom.

Needleman, 68, has been charged with one count of theft under $100 after police say a check of court surveillance cameras showed him on May 9 flipping through the textbook, titled, "Understanding White Collar Crime," walking away with it and resuming his spot behind the defense table to represent a client.

In an interview with a detective, according to police charging documents, Needleman said he picked up the book because it "had to do with my situation," an apparent reference to raids on his North Calvert Street office and Pikesville home in mid-April by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The City Paper has reported that agents seized $600,000 in cash.

Needleman told the detective in the textbook case that he "did not have any intent whatsoever to take anybody's book," but police noted that he made no attempts to return the book, valued at $41. He did not respond to a request for comment.

The court clerk, Bradford Gorney, also did not return a phone call seeking comment. But on his Facebook page, he posted on May 10: "It's official, someone stole my school textbook from inside my courtroom with cameras … DUMB."

Read more here.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A pair of brothers — one 35, the other eight years younger — have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shootings early Sunday of two men in a Pikesville parking lot, The Sun's Nick Madigan reports.

The shootings took place shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday behind a row of businesses on the 1300 block of Reisterstown Road. Officers discovered Guillermo Garcia, 30, and Antonio Guzman-Rangel, 33, suffering from gunshot wounds that proved to be fatal.

The two men's deaths bring to 13 the number of homicides in Baltimore County so far this year.

A police statement said detectives learned that the suspects, Mario and Fredy Linares, had been asked to leave the nearby Paradiso Italian Grill and Bar earlier after getting into a physical altercation with the two men who ultimately were shot. The suspects left the restaurant but returned to the area at closing time, police said. When the victims left the bar shortly it closed, the suspects confronted them in the parking lot and Garcia and Guzman-Rangel were shot, according to police.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 5:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

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Two men were killed early Sunday morning outside a restaurant on Reisterstown Road in Pikesville, police said, The Sun's Yeganeh June Torbati reports.

At 1:32 a.m., police received a report of a double shooting outside an Italian restaurant on the 1300 block of Reisterstown Road in Pikesville. At least one of the men died at the scene, police said, and they have no suspects in the case.

The restaurant is located at a busy shopping strip called The Alley Shops, where the stores cater to the area's large Orthodox Jewish community and sell jewelry, liquor, used goods and Russian books, as well as hair styling and tax consulting services. It's also a block away from the Maryland State Police headquarters.

On Sunday afternoon, shop managers in the area said they had been surprised to hear of the killings because the area is usually safe. They said they believed the shooting occurred in the shared parking lot behind their stores.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 8:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The Maryland State Police have announced a scholarship fund to help the children of Trooper Shaft Hunter, who died this past weekend in a car accident in Howard County. Here is a statement from police:

THE HUNTER CHILDREN’S SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Donations can be made at any M&T Bank in Maryland.  Or, they may be mailed to: M&T Bank, 207 Bowie Road, Laurel, MD  20707. All donations will be used to provide for the education of TFC Hunter’s six children. His children range in age from 4-19. 

The Hunter family and the members of the Maryland State Police are grateful for the support of citizens across the state that has been shown during this difficult time. The kindness of so many has been deeply appreciated.

Hunter's funeral is tomorow, and there is a viewing tonight. Here are details, and a warning about traffic for what is expected to be a long motorcade:  
 

Continue reading "Scholarship set up for trooper's children" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Howard County
        

An attorney from Rodgers Forge pleaded guilty today to child pornography charges and will be sentenced to 24 to 37 months in federal prison, the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office has announced.

I had written about Joseph Patrick Redd in April after neighbors wondered why it took so long between the time the feds raided his house in March 2009 to the filing of criminal charges in April of this year. People wondered if authorities had left a potentially dangerous man in a neighborhood.

The answer was that Redd had been charged with downloading images of child pornography on the Internet, and not interacting with children. His case was deemed a low priority, compared to child predators, and it took a while for his computer and other evidence to be analyzed.

Of course, neighbors couldn't help but wonder why the big show of force and then nothing for more than two years. Here's a statment from the U.S. Attorney's Office:

Continue reading "Lawyer pleads guilty to child porn charges" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Courts and the justice system
        

A 47-year-old attorney and magician who runs a children’s entertainment company in Baltimore County was arrested Monday and charged with flying to Florida to have sex with a 14-year-old boy, who turned out to be an undercover detective, according to police.

Howard Scott Kalin, who lives in the 1700 block of Anne Ave. in Essex, was being held without bail by the Lake County, Fla. Sheriff’s Office. Police said he runs “Funhouse Entertainment,” which has an address on York Road in Lutherville.

Members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office cyber crime division said in a statement that Kalin contacted them in January through an Internet chat line, using the name “Ben Aldridge.” The detectives posed both as a 14-year-old boy and as the boy’s caregiver, the police statement said.

“Mr. Kalin also told undercover detectives that he would bring a basketball to the child and planned on having sex with the boy during his visit,” according to the police statement. On Monday, police said Kalin travelled to Florida and was arrested at a undisclosed meeting place.

Continue reading "Lutherville magician charged with child sex crime in Florida" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 9:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Breaking news, Courts and the justice system, Crime elsewhere
        

The Sun's Nick Madigan today tells the story William Thomas, a football player who was shot and confined to a wheelchair in 2004 and graduates with an engineering degree from Morgan State this month.

Here's an excerpt: 

By any measure, the events of May 7, 2004, were far from just another random, easily dismissed act of violence. Sparked by a dispute, apparently, between two teenagers — neither of them Thomas — the shooting erupted as a charity basketball game was letting out. Four students were wounded, Thomas the most grievously. One of the two shooters was given a 100-year prison sentence, with lesser terms for two other men.

For Thomas, the goal was to come to terms not only with his paralysis but with those who caused it. "For me, personally, the decision to keep going was immediate," he said. "The forgiveness took a while longer."

Thomas focused as much as he could on getting through college, although he berated himself for taking longer to do so than is considered normal. He was three weeks' shy of his senior prom when he was shot, and he entered college in the fall of 2005, his entry delayed a year by his medical care.

Since then, he has become a vocal advocate for nonviolence, and speaks at schools, colleges and other venues to what he calls "problem children and juvenile delinquents" about the perils of being a miscreant. He illustrates his presentations with a documentary about his experience that has been shown on the Discovery Health Channel.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 1:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

In the wake of the videotaped beating of a transgendered woman in a Rosedale McDonald's over bathroom rights, Gov. Martin O'Malley is pledging to provide "even greater protections." This comes just a few days after Baltimore County's chief prosecutor charged a woman in the attack with a hate crime.

The Sun's Julie Bykowicz reports:

Lawmakers who fought unsuccessfully this year for legislation to prohibit employment and housing discrimination against transgender people welcomed the support of the Democratic governor. State Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr., who plans to sponsor another transgender protection bill next in a future legislative session, said it "could be critical to the success of the legislation."

Meanwhile, a Baltimore Sun editorial today stresses the importance of enhanced hate crime laws:

But it is worth reaffirming the importance of hate crime statutes and the legal basis for them. Maryland law prescribes greater penalties for crimes motivated by the victim's race, color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, disability, national origin or (in a recent addition to state law) because that person is homeless. It does so not because members of some groups deserve more protection than others but because crimes perpetrated as a result of such biases pose a danger to society that goes far beyond the individual victim.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The 18-year-old woman charged in an attack on a transgender woman at a Rosedale McDonald's that went viral last month will face an additional hate crime charge after being indicted Monday by a Baltimore County grand jury.

Teonna Brown, of the 2000 block of Kelbourne Rd., now faces one count of first-degree assault, three counts of second-degree assault, plus the newly-filed hate crime charge. She remains held without bond since her April 25 arrest. Brown's attorney, Timothy Knepp, declined to discuss the case in detail, but said "anything that happened, happened in self-defense."

"She's a well-mannered, thoughtful young lady, and I firmly believe that when this case comes to trial, she'll be found not guilty," Knepp said. He said hate crime charges "certainly do not apply in this case."

A hate crime charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, which could be added to 25 years in the assault charge. Chrissy Lee Polis has said she was attacked in an apparent dispute over her using a women’s restroom.

Prosecutors “came to the only possible conclusion in deciding to try the assault on Chrissy Lee Polis as a hate crime,” said Lynne Bowman, the interim executive director of Equality Maryland. “Lack of understanding or fear about someone who is transgender is never an excuse for violence and when it occurs, it should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Sandy Rawls, who founded Trans-United, a Baltimore-based group that fights transgender discrimination, praised the work of police and prosecutors in the case but said the charge is not reason to celebrate.

“It’s a tragedy for everybody involved,” Rawls said. “It’s a tragedy for the community, it’s a tragedy for Chrissy and it’s a tragedy for those two young ladies” charged in the beating.

“They’re going to find out the wrong way” that you can’t attack those you don’t understand, Rawls said.

Continue reading "Hate crime charges in McDonald's attack" »

Posted by Justin Fenton at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (43)
Categories: Baltimore County, Breaking news
        

An autopsy has identified the man whose body was found floating in the Inner Harbor last week as Pikesville resident Wayne Guy Paige, 25, who was reported missing in Baltimore County on May 7. There was no word on a cause of death, or whether police believe foul play was involved.

Paige had last been seen at his girlfriend's residence, following an argument. According to a police report, Paige had a history of depression.

The picture seen at right is from Paige's Facebook profile, where he wrote that he was a graduate of Harbor City High School.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Baltimore County, Downtown
        

State police say an elderly man reported missing May 9 was found dead inside a partially submerged vehicle in a northern Harford County creek.

Police said Edward Jackson, 72, of the 5000 block of Brightleaf Court in Rossville, was found Tuesday morning just before 9:30 a.m. inside a 2003 Mercedes that was submerged in Broad Creek, off Route 165 and Pylesville Road in Whiteford.

Jackson had been last seen leaving a Veterans Affairs Hospital at about 5:30 a.m. on May 9, prompting a "Silver Alert," the senior equivalent of Amber Alerts that go out when children are missing.

State police said they are investigating along with Baltimore County police.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Harford County
        

Last month's brutal attack on a transgendered woman in a Rosedale McDonald's captured national attention after a video surfaced on the Internet.

People were outraged not only by the assault, but that a restaurant employee filmed it and then warned the attackers to leave before the police came. A bystander, Vicky Thoms, interceded and helped stop the assault. Thoms met the victim, Chrissy Polis, for the first time on Friday at Thoms' house.

Police have charged an 18-year-old woman and a juvenile with assault, and Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger is contemplating additional charges that could include hate crimes. He told reporter Nick Madigan on Friday that he has not made a decision.

Above is a 911 call made from the restaurant, apparently after the victim suffered what she described as a seizure. The caller refers to Polis as a "he" and only as an afterthought does she say, "It's crazy because they beat him up." The dispatcher, thinking she was dealing with a medical emergency, appears surprised. "Oh, this was an assault," she says. Authorities are withholding another 911 call, saying it "is part of the investigatory file and is evidence that may be used in the criminal court case."

Posted by Peter Hermann at 2:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County Police are searching for a man who robbed a Bank of America branch on Belair Road on Friday. Police said the man walked into the bank about 4:10 p.m. and passed a demand note to the teller.

Police said the teller gave the man money and he ran toward the 7900 block of Belair Road. He is described as a white male, 25-30 years old, approximately 6’ tall, 250 pounds, with brown hair. 

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to "CRIMES" (274637), then enter the message starting with "MCS," or e-mail a tip to Metro Crime Stoppers.

Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Police in Baltimore City and County are investigating separate shootings overnight. A report from Baltimore:

A 24-year-old man was found shot multiple times around 11:30 p.m. in the 1200 block N. Luzerne Ave. in East Baltimore, according to Det. Kevin Brown, the city police spokesman. Police found the victim, who was not identified, sitting on steps with wounds to the chest and leg. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was listed in serious condition, the spokesman said. The victim told police he heard gunshots as he was walking along Luzerne and realized he was hit. Police have no suspects or motives, Brown said.

Around 3:15 p.m., a man was shot multiple times near the corner of Rogers and Elderon avenues in Northwest Baltimore. The victim told police he was leaving an address near there when an unknown male began following him, pulled a handgun and started shooting before fleeing. The victim, whose identity was not released, was taken to an area hospital, where his condition was unknown.

BREAKING NEWS: Police are at this hour are investigating a suspicious death at a home inthe 2700 block of Matthews St. North Baltimore. An adult female was found face down at that location.

Baltimore County incidents:

Three people were stabbed and a man was shot in separate incidents Saturday night and early Sunday in Baltimore County, a police spokesman said.

The stabbings occurred around 11:30 p.m. in the 3600 block of Florida Road off Liberty Heights Avenue, after a disturbance broke out at a carnival being held at Security Square Mall. All three stabbing victims were taken to local hospitals with nonfatal wounds, the police spokesman said. The spokesman provided no information on the victims' identities, and said police had no suspects.

A man was shot around 12:30 a.m. Sunday at the Windsor Inn in the 7200 block of Windsor Mill Road, police said. The victim, also not identified, was taken to a local hospital. Police have no suspects in that incident, the spokesman said.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County, East Baltimore
        

The Sun's Nick Madigan reports:

The death of an 18-month-old Randallstown boy in February has been ruled a homicide, the Baltimore County Police Department announced on Friday.

On Jan. 31, the toddler, Stiles Brown, was taken by ambulance from his home on the 9500 block of Branchleigh Road to the University Specialty Hospital with “multiple traumatic injuries,” a statement from the police said. He was pronounced dead on Feb. 4.

The hospital, located in the 600 block of South Charles St., has a traumatic brain injury unit and his operated by the University of Maryland Medical Systems.

The office of the Chief Medical Examiner infomed the police of the cause of death on April 20. Detectives have been awaiting the results of the autopsy and the investigation into the case continues, the police said.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 6:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A Baltimore Circuit Court jury convicted a man of attempted first degree murder and several handgun violations for opening fire on 11 city police officers in 2009. The suspect still faces charges in the killing of a customer and the wounding of the owner of a Catonsville convenience store.

Bradrick Green got into the confrontation with police who were searching for a suspect in the November 2009 shooting of Sudhir Shah, who owned Yours Convenience Store in Catonsville. A customer, Brian Michael Meise, 52, was killed in that holdup. At left is a picture of Shah when he reopened his store, taken by The Sun's Lloyd Fox.

Shah, a popular member of the community, reopened his store in May 2010. "And I have bad memories in my mind," he told a reporter then. "I'm going to work. I have to. But I'm not going to own a gun. Don't believe in that."

Here is a story with more details on the arrest of the suspect and his conviction in the shootout. He is scheduled for trial Oct. 3 in the store shooting.

Continue reading "Man convicted of opening fire on police; faces murder charge in killing of customer, wounding owner of convenience store " »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 5:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Baltimore County, Courts and the justice system, Southwest Baltimore
        

Two men have been arrested and charged with robbing nine people who were waiting in line to pay rent at a Cockeysville apartment complex. A third suspect died prior to being charged, according to statement from Baltimore County police.

The suspects were identified as Dacron Hobbs (pictured left), 34, of the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Ave. in Baltimore, and Dwaun Thomas, 31, of the 1000 block of Herndon Court, also in Baltimore. Both have been charged with multiple counts of armed robbery and are being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

Police said the victims were lined up outside a rental office at the apartment complex on Hogarth Cricle on Dec. 27 when three men, one armed with a handgun, demanded money.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 5:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The mother of the transgendered woman who was beaten in a Rosedale McDonald's met with Vicky Thoms, the only person to try and stop the attack that was videotaped by a restaurant employee. They met at a rally Monday night to support the victim (picture by The Sun's Gene Sweeney Jr).

"I'll never forget you for this," Renee Polis told Vicky Thoms, who was hit in the face as she stepped between Chrissy Polis and the two teens who were caught on video punching and kicking Polis, and dragging her by her hair until Polis appears to have a seizure.

The Sun's Nick Madigan and Erica L. Green report today on why Thoms stepped in and why police have thus far charged the suspects with assault, but not hate crimes. Baltimore County's top prosecutor said his office is reviewing the case and could add more charges later.

Read the complete story here.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Vicky Thoms says she's no hero, that she'd have stepped in to help anyone.

What the 55-year-old from Rosedale did was try to break up a brutal beating of a transgendered 22-year-old at a McDonald's, which was captured on video and broadcast around the world on the Internet.

The person who shot the video, a McDonald's employee who has been fired, did not try to help, and in fact warned the suspects to leave because the police were on their way. Here is what Thoms told Sun reporter Erica L. Green (who also took the picture of her above):

"I knew she was clinging on to her life. ... I just keep seeing it over and over again. ... It's terrible that a human being had to go through that."

More follows:

Continue reading ""I'm not a hero. I would have done it for anyone"" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (48)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

UPDATE, 5:25 PM: Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger says the accuser in last year's incident asked prosecutors to drop the case. Here's more from Sun reporters Nick Madigan and Erica L. Green. 

As we interview the Good Samaritan who tried to intervene in last week's Rosedale McDonald's attack, and try to get answers from police on why charges weren't filed against the adult suspect Teonna Monae Brown until four days later when the story went national, the Smoking Gun has obtained court documents showing that Brown had been accused of assaulting another woman - in the same McDonald's - last year.

In a handwritten police statement, Dower said that she had left the McDonald’s with her two daughters when Brown confronted her, asking “Did you call me ugly?” Though Dower said she had not, Brown “kept trying to badger us.” At one point, Dower said, the teenager “pushed me in the back.” After Dower pushed back, Brown “took her fist and threw a punch to my face.”

As the pair scuffled, Dower said, Brown hit her in the back with an umbrella and “pulled my wig off my head.”

As Dower called 911, two females grabbed her daughter by the hair and dragged the teenage girl across the floor. “I had to stop talking to the operator, get on top of my daughter and protect her while trying to fight off those girls,” Dower stated.

The victim in that case pressed charges herself, and prosecutors dropped the case a few months later.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

DNA has come through again for authorities.

The Sun's Jessica Anderson reports that Baltimore County police have used forensic evidence to link a man serving time for killing his wife to a 10-year-old rape:

Nankisoor Ramnath, 56, was charged with second-degree rape and related charges after his DNA was linked to a 2001 rape, said police spokesman Lt. Robert McCullough. McCullough said Ramnath met the victim on April 21, 2001, at an Exxon gas station in Baltimore and took her to lunch at a McDonald's restaurant in Baltimore County. He later took the woman home, where, the woman said, he forcibly raped her, McCullough said.

The woman reported the incident to police, but detectives had "exhausted all leads" and suspended the investigation several months later, McCullough said. In December, Maryland State Police officials contacted Baltimore County Police, alerting them to a DNA match in the Combined DNA Index System, a national DNA database, McCullough said. Ramnath's DNA was collected following his conviction in 2008.

He is serving a 25-year sentence for strangling his wife, Nirmala Maharaj, 50, in their home in the first block of N. Ritters Lane.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police have released a composite sketch of a man who exposed himself to an elementary school student. Authorities are warning children to not accept rides from strangers. Here are details from police:

On April 12 at 8:30 a.m., the suspect approached two 9-year-olds in the 3400-block of Upton Road, 21234 as they walked to Carney Elementary School in Precinct 8/Parkville. The suspect offered the two children a ride to school in his vehicle and they accepted. As the two students were exiting the vehicle when they arrived at school, the suspect exposed himself to one of the students. The students reported the incident to school staff members later in the day. 

The suspect is described as a light-skinned black male, approximately 40 years old, 5’8” tall, with bushy black hair.  He may have dental braces on his teeth, but witnesses gave conflicting reports. 

The suspect vehicle is described as a faded red truck or SUV with black leather interior.  The interior was cluttered and there was a booster seat in the back seat. 

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to "CRIMES" (274637), then enter the message starting with "MCS," or e-mail a tip to Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

By some accounts, Randy Scott DiGennaro was a terrific neighbor — the type who would shovel snow and cut grass for the elderly, and run errands for the sick. But others felt intimidated by the man who sat guard on his front porch.

Baltimore County authorities said the tension on Fairgreen Road in Dundalk erupted Friday night in an argument over a parking space and ended with gunfire. In the aftermath, the 55-year-old DiGennaro has been charged with attempted murder and a man who lived nearby remains critically injured with bullet wounds to his face and chest.

The 45-year-old victim, Brian David Sheppard, had planned to visit his childhood friend, a disabled man who lived next door to DiGennaro, and had a six-pack of beer in his vehicle. Neighbors said he might have parked too close to the suspect's new truck, sparking an argument.

"I can't tell you what happened or why it happened," friend and neighbor Mark Phoebus said. "He was not disgruntled. He'd always wave and talk to you. He wasn't a troublemaker. I was shocked when I saw the [police light] hit that home. Not Randy."

Posted by Justin Fenton at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police have released the name of a Dundalk man charged with shooting a man who pulled into the wrong driveway.

Randy Scott Digennaro (seen at right), 55, of the 7800 block of Fairgreen Road, faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, second-degree assault and use of a handgun during a felony after shooting Brian Sheppard, 45, of the 3500 block of Louth Rd. Police say Sheppard was visiting a friend and pulled into Digennaro's driveway, and before he could even exit his vehicle he was shot multiple times.

Digennaro went back into his house and barricaded himself inside for several hours, police say.

A check of court records indicates Digennaro doesn't have any prior arrests.

Here's what Sun reporter Jill Rosen wrote Saturday. Fox 45 interviewed a neighbor over the weekend.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Two men, ages 31 and 33, have been charged with shooting two teens and a woman Wednesday night in Dundalk, a dispute that county police say stems from a fight at a middle school from earlier in the day. The Sun's Nick Madigan reports:

The two men charged were identified as Charles Gregory Robinson, 33, of the 4500 block of Pimlico Road in Park Heights, who was also charged with using a handgun in a felony, and Quincy Alford, 31, of the 3300 block of W. Forest Park Ave. in the city's Ashburton neighborhood.

The shooting took place about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday in the 100 block of Lee Lawrence Court in Dundalk, where county police found three people suffering from gunshot wounds. Two boys, ages 14 and 15, were taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital in East Baltimore for treatment of their wounds, while a 31-year-old woman was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. None had injuries that appeared to be life-threatening.

A statement from Baltimore County police said the shooting may have been connected to a fight earlier in the day at Dundalk Middle School.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

[UPDATE: County police say three people - two male teens and a female - were shot in the incident in Turners Station]

Police say a shooting in Turners Station touched off a chase that led through Baltimore and ended when the suspect vehicle crashed into a city police officer's cruiser in Northwest Baltimroe.

Details about the shooting were not immediately clear, but at least two people were struck, according to reports. At about 8:30 p.m., I started getting Twitter messages from people who reported seeing a large number of police cars flying through Southeast Baltimore. It's fairly typical for me to get a message or two like that in a given night, but they kept coming in, and from all over the city - Fells Point, downtown, Northwest Baltimore.

Police say the chase ended in a collision at Northern Parkway and Reisterstown Road. A city police officer was injured and taken to Maryland Shock Trauma with non-life-threatening injuries. Amid that chase, authorities were also responding to the shooting of a female in the 4500 block of Westchester Road north of Leakin Park, and two fires in Northwest Baltimore. 

Posted by Justin Fenton at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Baltimore County, Breaking news, Northwest Baltimore, Southeast Baltimore
        

People watch the FBI raid a house but it takes two years for prosecutors to file charges. It's only then they learn the target was charged with viewing child pornography.

A bus driver is arrested on the same charge, but had been suspected 10 months earlier when police raided his house and seized his computer.

Both cases have left people wondering why the suspects were left on the streets. It's become an outrage in Montgomery County, where an unsuspecting school system allowed the bus driver to continue making rounds with students.

Police and prosecutors say the cases are tougher then many people think, and they can't go around naming people before formal charges are filed, potentially ruining the lives of innocent people. I explore these tough cases in today's Crime Scenes.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Baltimore County, Crime elsewhere
        

The mother of a 27-year-old motorcycle driver killed during a high-speed police chase last year filed a $40-million lawsuit Wednesday against the city and the officer who struck her son, alleging the man ignored orders to abort the pursuit and lied about how the crash occurred, The Sun's Tricia Bishop reports.

The lawsuit comes after a lengthy investigation report, prepared by the Maryland State Police, concluded that Baltimore Officer Timothy Everett Beall was "told to end the chase" and that he acknowledged the command, turning "off his lights and siren." Yet he still followed the driver, Haines Holloway-Lilliston, onto an Interstate-695 exit ramp, ramming into the back of the motorcycle while distracted by his telephone and radio communications, the report said.

Beall, 32, told investigators that Holloway-Lilliston "crashed out in front of him" and that the cruiser never collided with the bike. But Maryland State Police Sgt. John McGee concluded that such an "account of the collision could not have occurred as it would defy the laws of physics."

Posted by Justin Fenton at 7:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Courts and the justice system
        

Three Baltimore police officers and a Baltimore County firefighter will be honored next month at the annual Fallen Heroes Day ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. The event is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday, May 6.

A procession of 25 honor guards will open the ceremony at the Timonium cemetery, which is to include an address by Gov. Martin O'Malley.

At left is a photo from Fallen Heroes day in 2009, taken by The Sun's Lloyd Fox.

Here is a list of police and firefighters being honored, from a statement issued by organizers:

Continue reading "Dulaney Valley honors fallen police, firefighters" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Confronting crime, Crime elsewhere, Police shootings
        

Baltimore County police have just posted a video of a robbery and shooting of a gas station attendant who was held up on Feb. 17 at the Carroll Fuel shop on Baltimore National Pike. Police are trying to identify two suspects.

During the robbery, the clerk was shot in the head and money was taken from the cash register. The two men are approximately 17-25 years-old, and were wearing all black clothing at the time. Watch the video here.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The president of the Baltimore County police union and a 27-year veteran with the department was charged on Tuesday with hitting and pointing his gun at a sedan service driver during a dispute in Parkville.

Harford County State’s Attorney Joseph I. Cassilly said Sgt. Cole B. Weston was issued summonses charging him with misdemeanor counts of second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. The citations order him to appear in Baltimore County Circuit Court for a hearing at a date to be determined; he was not arrested.

Baltimore County police spokesman Lt. Robert McCullough said that Weston’s police powers have been suspended and he has been placed in an administrative duties pending the outcome of the criminal case and a separate Internal Affairs investigation.

For more details:

Continue reading "County union chief charged with assault" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 3:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Just hours after Baltimore County police announced that homicides had dropped more than 35 percent in 2010, compared to 2009, police were on Winelee Road in Randallstown investigating the latest slaying.

It occurred about 11:45 p.m. on Monday. Few details were released but we expect more information later in the day.

The county reported 20 slayings in 2010, down from 31 the previous year. There have been five thus far this year, not including Monday nights. That's roughly the same pace as in 2010.  

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police on Friday issued several news releases on previously undisclosed cases, including a shooting on York Road in 2009 in which the man's body was dumped along I-270 in Gaithersburg. It took police until November to determine where the shooting had taken place an until February to charge a suspect.

Several of these cases had been reported by the media, but not disclosed by county police on their iWatch web site. The delay in reporting these incidents to the public is the subject of my Crime Scenes column today.

The county launched a new iWatch website (read about these cases) in February but it rarely is updated with breaking news. Instead, the site asks the public for help on weeks and even months old cases that had not been previously disclosed. That includes some homicides:

Continue reading "County cops announce arrests in undisclosed cases" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The owner of a Towson title agency was sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for defrauding lenders out of $3.9 million in eight months, the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday.

Anthony V. Weis, 45, pleaded guilty to charges of mail and wire fraud and was ordered to report to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to begin his sentence on May 17. The president of Maple Leaf Title also was ordered to pay $4 million in restitution to 13 victims and their insurance companies.

One of the victims, Suzanne Hall, recounted last summer how her Cockeysville house went into foreclosure when she tried to refinance her adjustable-rate mortgage through Maple Leaf, which took her money but failed to pay off her old loan.

Continue reading "Title company owner sentenced in mortgage fraud case" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Courts and the justice system
        

The head of the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police is being investigated after the owner of a sedan service accused him of assault and pointing a gun during a dispute, according to a report. That report says Sgt. Cole B. Weston, who was off-duty, appeared intoxicated.

The Sun's Nick Madigan wrote:

Hosseim Taranpisheh, 51, told police he was waiting for a customer to return to the car and pay him for a ride when Weston approached and began berating him. The customer, Sean Manigault, told police that when he saw Weston draw his gun, he ran into the woods until other officers arrived.

Weston, 48, who has been a police officer since 1984, has not been charged in the incident.

Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger said Friday that, because the Fraternal Order of Police had endorsed him in his campaign for re-election, he has referred the Weston case to the Harford County state's attorney's office to avoid any conflict of interest.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A 25-year-old Baltimore man who held up a Towson liquor store and threatened to kill one of its clerks was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison Thursday for armed robbery, according to the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Aaron Davis and a co-conspirator emptied two cash registers at York Liquors in Towson on Jan. 19, 2010, according to his plea agreement. Davis put a gun to the back of a clerk’s head during the robbery. He was captured on a surveillance video.

His accomplice, Edward Sample, pleaded guilty in January to armed robbery and is scheduled for sentencing May 5.

-Tricia Bishop

Posted by Justin Fenton at 5:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot on Tuesday in Baltimore County, the result of a dispute among a group of youths, according to police. The shooting occurred about 2:30 p.m. in a townhouse development in Lansdowne-Baltimore Highlands.

Lt. Robert McCullough, a Baltimore County police spokesman told The Sun's Nick Madigan that only one gun had been fired and that it had not yet been recovered. A bystander said she saw three young men in separate police cars; McCullough said "a few" persons of interest had been taken in for questioning.

Meanwhile, in Baltimore City, police were investigating yet another killing, that of a man who was fatally stabbed about 9:45 Tuesday night in the 500 block of East North Ave. We're awaiting more details on this case.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, East Baltimore
        

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A 23-year-old Baltimore County man has been arrested and charged with setting his mother on fire yesterday at her Eastpoint home, police said.

Gordon R. Jenkins has been charged with first-degree arson, attempted murder, first-degree assault and related charges in an attack that police say left his 47-year-old mother in critical but stable condition at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

At about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, police and firefighters responded to a fire in the 7900 block of Baltimore Street, where Teresa Marie Hamel said her son had entered her bedroom and choked her until she lost consciousness, police said.

Continue reading "Son, 23, charged with setting mother on fire" »

Posted by Justin Fenton at 1:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (33)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The owner of two American bulldogs that attacks a 7-year-old girl this past weekend has been fined by Baltimore County animal authorities. The Sun's Jessica Anderson reports:

Owner Tina Baker will not be criminally charged, police spokesman Lt. Robert McCullough said, but Baker faces multiple fines, including $1,000 dangerous animal, $500 menacing animal, $50 wearing of license tags, $200 license required and $50 animal at large violations for each of the two dogs. She has less than a week to pay the fines or appeal the charges, McCullough said.

Police said the two dogs escaped from Baker's fenced in yard and attacked the girl who had been riding her bike in the 700 block of Villager Circle in Dundalk. She was taken to a Johns Hopkins Hospital for serious injuries after the incident, and will need several surgeries to recover from her injuries, a police spokesman said.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

UPDATE: Police say the children have been found safe. Prosecutors are reviewing case to determine whether to file criminal charges.

Baltimore County Police are seeking help finding two children who they say were abducted last month by their biological mother. The children were in the custody of their foster mother at the time, police said.

Police identified the children as 7-year-old Tyquan Rashard Wiggins (far right in the picture above), and 3-year-old Shani’ya Lashay Wiggins (center). Police said they were taken Feb. 26 by Dannelle Lynnette Wiggins (seen at far left).

The police said Wiggins and the two children were last seen March 1 near Lexington Market in Baltimore. Authorities have issued a reward:

Continue reading "Baltimore County police seek abducted children" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A Parkville bar where four people were stabbed during a melee in the parking lot last month will remain open, the Baltimore County liquor board has ruled. But members warned the owners to shape up:

"It seems to us we have a problem at this location," said liquor board Chairman Charles E. Klein. But rather than suspend or revoke the Parkville bar's license, the three board members added a requirement for more security guards outside the bar when crowds leave at night. Klein also warned that if violent incidents continue, the board could revoke the license.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County, Confronting crime
        

Police have charged Ellerson Carter, 55, with second-degree murder and related charges in the killing of George Marshall, a landscaping wholesaler who police say was run over when he tried to stop Carter from breaking into a vehicle on his South Baltimore warehouse property. 

Not surprisingly, Carter has a long record of similar incidents, with a slew of criminal convictions for theft, burglary and car theft dating back to the late 1980s and is currently on probation. None of them turned deadly like Saturday's incident, however.  

Here's a snapshot of his record from available online court records:

Continue reading "The criminal history of Ellerson Carter" »

Posted by Justin Fenton at 9:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Baltimore County, Courts and the justice system, South Baltimore
        

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An update on yesterday's home invasion in Pikesville, courtesy of Baltimore County Police:

Baltimore County Police have arrested and charged Deondre M. Pedersen, 15, of the unit-block of Neptune Court, 21234. He is charged with the March 3, home invasion of a house in the 6500-block of Liberty Road, 21207.

On March 3, at approximately 4:48 p.m., a Baltimore County police officer was flagged down by the victim in this case. The victim told the officer that three suspects armed with a handgun forced their way into his residence. The victim fought off the suspects and was able to escape from the house. Police responded and searched the residence which revealed that the suspects had fled the scene in an unknown direction. Police detectives initiated an investigation that led to the arrest of Deondre Pedersen.

Continue reading "Teen arrested in Baltimore County home invasion" »

Posted by Justin Fenton at 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

New court documents outline an alleged marijuana pipeline that funneled drugs from Mexico and Arizona into Baltimore County on a tractor trailer driven by a man nicknamed "The Russian."

In a complaint for forfeiture, federal authorities say they want to seize a 2004 Peterbilt tractor trailer used by a man named Dmytro Holovko who is accused of being a courier for a drug trafficking organization that has been in operation since 2000. The documents outline how the truck was once pulled over in Arizona, carrying six vehicles, one of which had $250,000 in cash stuffed into compartments.

Continue reading "Feds: tractor trailer used to transport drugs from Ariz. to Baltimore" »

Posted by Justin Fenton at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A Baltimore police officer involved in a pursuit and a fatal crash on I-83 will not be criminally charged, Baltimore County prosecutors said on Thursday. The ruling comes despite an investigator's report that says the officer had been ordered to stop the chase.

The Sun's Nick Madigan reports:

In a letter to the state police's crash reconstruction team, which investigated the July 25, 2010, incident, the prosecutor's office said there was not "sufficient evidence to sustain charges of manslaughter by automobile" against the officer, Timothy E. Beall, a 10-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department who had pursued the motorcycle from the city into the county after concluding that it had been racing with a car on Northern Parkway.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Baltimore County, North Baltimore, Top brass
        

Baltimore County police officers quickly arrested a man who held up a bank Thursday morning in Pikesville using a fake bomb, according to authorities.

Police said the man walked into a Bank of America branch in the 2800 block of Smith Ave. shortly after 9 a.m., approached a teller and demanded money. Police said in a statement that the man “told the teller that he had a bomb.”

The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of money and the man left the bank. While in the parking lot, police said the dye packs from the money “exploded inside the suspect’s bag.”

Bystanders told police which way the man had run and officers had him in custody with 20 minutes of the holdup. Police said he was found hiding, but they didn’t disclose other details. Police said the bomb was a hoax.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County, Breaking news
        

Two Perry Hall High School students have been charged with bringing an unloaded gun to school. The Sun's Liz Bowie reported today that a fellow student tipped off a teacher, who reported it to police. A school resource officer found the weapon in a bag.

Authorities do not believe there was any intent to harm anyone.

Also in Baltimore County, two people were reportedly shot and wounded Wednesday night in Woodlawn. The victims were shot in the legs.

UPDATE FROM COUNTY POLICE: 

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police have put an alert about a white pit bull that attacked an officer in the Towson area today. Police warn people that if they see the dog, do not approach it, and call 911 immedately.

Here is a statement:

On February 28, 2011 at approximately 12:30 p.m., a Baltimore County Police Officer assigned to Precinct 06/Towson responded for an animal complaint on Deanwood Road. When the officer exited his vehicle he was attacked by two dogs and bit multiple times. The officer used his pepper spray to repel the dogs and was also affected by the spray.
 
The officer who has been employed by the Baltimore County Police Department for 6 years was taken to an area hospital for treatment. One of the dogs has been captured.
 
Police are asking anyone that sees a white pit bull with an orange spot on its backside to not approach the dog and call 911 immediately. The dog was last seen in the area of California Avenue and Harford Road.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 3:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County, Confronting crime
        

There's been a surprising twist in at least one of the burglaries that had Glen Arm residents worried -- one woman has been charged with breaking into her own parent's home.

The Sun's Nick Madigan has this report:

In a remorseful letter to her mother, a 23-year-old pregnant woman accused of burglarizing her parents' home described how her heroin habit had overshadowed her sense of right and wrong.

"I'm sorry for everything that I have done to you," Crystal Ann Evans wrote in the letter, reproduced in court documents after her Feb. 14 arrest. "It really wasn't me, the drug took over my life!"

Evans is one of two women picked up by police in connection with a string of crimes in recent months in the Baltimore County countryside that prompted some residents to arm themselves. Evans was charged with first-degree burglary, a theft scheme and other counts, and was being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center in Towson. She is scheduled to appear in court March 11.

Asked by a police sergeant whether her boyfriend had helped her break into her parents' home, from which she had been barred, Evans replied, "No, I broke into the house myself, actually," according to the court documents. "I was too embarrassed for him to see that I was stealing from my own family. He just waited outside."

Posted by Peter Hermann at 9:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police are searching for a man who they say held up three banks in the Wilkens area between Jan. 25 and this morning.

Each time, police said the man entered the bank, threatened a teller with a handgun and demanded money.

The robberies occurred M&T and Wachovia branches.

More details are below in a police news release:

Continue reading "Bank robbery suspect sought in Baltimore County" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 1:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

While wind-swept fires dominated the news, at least eight people were shot -- three of them fatally -- in a spate of violence this weekend in the city and Baltimore County. Two of the dead were in Parkville and in Lansdowne.

The Baltimore County slayings -- one early Sunday at a gas station -- were the county's third and fourth homicides of the year.

In Baltimore, six people were wounded by bullets, including a 15-year-old boy, in shootings that began Friday night. Two men were shot on Cliftview Avenue, in East Baltimore between Harford Road and Wolfe Street, on Sunday afternoon. One of the men died.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County, East Baltimore
        

The son of a 68-year-old man who shot and killed an armed intruder in his Perry Hall home last year has been arrested in Florida and charged with conspiring with the gunman to rob his father, police in Fort Lauderdale said this morning.

William Bozman Jr., 44, (left) was arrested Tuesday by the FBI’s Fugitive Task Force after a warrant was issued by the Baltimore County Police Department. The suspect is in a Florida jail being held without bail and awaiting extradiction to Maryland, according to authorities.

He is charged with several criminal counts, including attempted armed home invasion, burglary, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and using a handgun in the commission of a violent crime. Baltimore County police did not immediately comment.

The news from Florida police is the first indication of a twist in a case the public had thought was closed last year. Police had said Marvin Cook Jr., 29, had broken into the home of William Bozman Sr., 68, who owns a towing company, and demanded money at gunpoint.

Police at the time said the elder Bozman fired his own handgun several times, hitting Cook at almost point-blank range in the chest inside the home in the 4200 block of Chapel Road. Cook collapsed onto the elder Bozman, who wriggled free and called police.

Fort Lauderdale police said in a statement that Baltimore County homicide detectives learned of an alleged co-conspirator. On Feb. 7, police in Florida said a fugtive warrant was issued for the younger Bozman’s arrest.

No other details were provided.

Here is the release from Fort Lauderdale Police:

Continue reading "Police arrest son of home invasion victim, charge conspiracy" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Thousands of dollars was exchanging hands weekly at the Lynch Point Social Club in Edgemere, police say, where dozens of men would meet regularly to play no limit Texas Hold 'Em poker games and gamble on electronic machines.

County police said it was all off the books and against the law, and busted the club's members in a raid involving a tactical unit last week. The organizer and dealers were arrested and face charges.

Almost immediately after our story posted, there was a quick backlash against police. The story's been shared nearly 200 times on Facebook and generated 40 comments as of this writing, and Sun business columnist Jay Hancock quickly weighed in on his blog, where someone who said he was at the club at the time posted this:

I WAS ONE OF THE PLAYERS "DETAINED " THAT NIGHT ON ROGER RD. I PERSONALLY WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS AN ORGANIZED CLUB EVENT, AND PART OF MY $65 BUY IN WENT TOWARDS CLUB FUNCTIONS, LIKE OUR CRAB FEAST THIS PAST FALL.ALTHOUGH WE WERE TREATED RESPECTFULLY BY THE OFFICERS INVOLVED,I FOUND IT DISTURBING THAT EVERY PENNY TAKEN OUT OF MY POCKETS WAS CONFISCATED. WHY,IF THEY ADMIT WE ARE THERE FOR A $65 TOURNAMENT, IS IT NECESSARY TO REMOVE MONEY FROM MY POCKET THAT IS NOT BEING USED FOR POKER AND HAVE IT CONFISCATED? AT THIS POINT I HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGED OR ARRESTED FOR ANY CRIME, BUT FORCEDTO SIT AT THE TABLE IN HANDCUFFS FOR NEARLY AN HOUR, ONLY TO BE TOLD I AM FREE TO LEAVE AFTER MY MONEY WAS TAKEN.ALTHOUGH THEY MAY HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE LETTER OF THE LAW I SURELY BELIEVE THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH BETTER USE OF RESIDENTS TAX MONEY THEN BUSTING A $65 POKER TOURNAMENT.IN REFERENCE TO COMMENTS THERE IN NO WAY WAS ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY WON THAT WOULD FALL INTO GOVERNMENTAL BUDGET "TAX WINDOWS", WE WERE JUST A BUNCH OF GUYS HAVING FUN TOGETHER ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, ALBEIT JUST NOT UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE MARYLAND LOTTERY OR ANY OF THE 100'S OF BINGO PARLORS IN MARYLAND.

But all the the other commenters had no tie to the event but were angered at an investigation they believe was a waste of police resources. Admitted organizer Michael Gilbert's attorney, Andy Alperstein, noted that while some illegal poker tournaments also involve drugs, guns or prostitution, this case appears to just be a bunch of guys who got together to play cards.

Gilbert's played plenty of legal poker. There's a profile page of him on PokerPages.com, listing his prior winnings, and one of his poker buddies emailed me to say he'd come in second last year at a Timonium restaurant's tournament.

But police say games like the ones hosted in Edgemere are against the law and must be enforced, and may even put the players at risk for becoming victims of a robbery.

The story recalls a bust of a Texas Hold 'Em game in South Baltimore in 2005, in which 80 people were arrested. That was around the time when poker was really taking off in popular culture, with tournaments being broadcast on television and making celebrities out of players. And yet locally, it remains against the law and could get you locked up.

Here's the story on the '05 bust:

Continue reading "Anger over county police poker bust" »

Posted by Justin Fenton at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police  is unveiling the latest local law enforcement entry into high-tech distribution of crime. The iWatch program will allow residents to receive information through e-mail subscriptions and in turn they can provide the cops with crime tips and non-emergency complaints.

It goes beyond police, in that users will be able to file complaints about quality-of-life issues on everything from animals to abandoned cars. This service is in addition to the department's monthly newsletter and news releases on major crimes.

Police across the region are using social media, e-mails and text alerts more and more. Baltimore police have an interactive Facebook page, along with a Twitter alert system that provides breaking news alerts. The agency's spokespeople are visiting other departments to learn more, and are exploring a crime-tip-by-text or e-mail service. But there's a concern that the tips won't be read quickly enough for immediate action. One used in Philadelphia is only read once every 24 hours.

The police departments in Anne Arundel County and Howard County also have Facebook pages.

For more details on the Baltimore County iWatch initiative:

Continue reading "Baltimore County announces iWatch program" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Confronting crime
        

A state worker was carjacked in Northwest Baltimore earlier today, sparking a pursuit using a police helicopter that ended with the arrests of two suspects.

The pursuit went from Baltimore and into the county and then back to Baltimore, and part of it was captured by a news crew for WJZ-TV, which broadcast it live during its 5 p.m. newscast. Here is The Sun's news story and the video from WJZ:

Posted by Peter Hermann at 9:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Breaking news, Northwest Baltimore, West Baltimore
        

Baltimore County police are asking for help in locating a car and a suspect in one of two fatal hit-and-run accidents that occurred over the weekend.

One claimed the life of Cindy Feldstein, who worked as an assistant to the state's chief medical examiner. The other claimed the life of Jason Cheslik, who was hit by a van on Hazelwood Avenue about a mile from his Overlea home. He accident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday.

Here is a picture from the police of a van believed to be similar to the one involved in the accident. Police say they do not know the color of the van.

Here are some more details from police:

Continue reading "Police search for help in fatal hit-and-run" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The spokeswoman for the state medical examiner's office was one of two pedestrians killed in accidents in Baltimore County over the weekend, officials said. One case involved a hit-and-run driver, the other a Maryland Transit Administration bus.

In the bus incident, police identified the victim as Cindy Feldstein, a secretary and public information officer for medical examiner David R. Fowler. Feldstein was in a crosswalk on Park Heights Avenue near Slade Avenue at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday when she was struck, police said. She was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore and pronounced dead.

“It’s a small agency, a very small staff, so its absolutely devastating to the staff,” said Fowler.

Feldstein served a number of functions at the medical examiner’s office, which she joined around 1994. Her title was secretary and administrative aide, but she also served as a public information officer for the press, an officer troubleshooter, handled subpoenas, and interacted with the public.

“There wasn’t something that could be handed to her that she couldn’t do,” Fowler said. “She was just an absolutely wonderful person in dealing with people and had a real sense of caring.”

Continue reading "Medical examiner spokeswoman killed by MTA bus" »

Posted by Justin Fenton at 4:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Residents of the farms, rolling hills and historic villages of Baltimore County's Long Green Valley have long basked in the tranquility that comes from country living. Now, they are increasingly worried about a rash of crime in their remote communities, and are urging police to step up patrols of the area.

In response to the spree, some people have bought weapons to protect themselves, according to a resident, who along with others began to agitate publicly for help after a shootout on Jan. 7 between a burglary suspect and a female homeowner on Glen Arm Road. The intruder carried an AK-47 assault rifle and wore camouflage gear.

"We used to be a quiet town with no crime," said Mike Harris, who for about seven years has lived a mile north of the shootout site. Crime, he added, has risen drastically in the past few months, compared with previous years, when it was "nothing even close" to what it is now. As a result, he said, "there's tons of people out here who are up in arms."

On an average night, Harris said, there are between three and five crimes in the area, usually break-ins of homes or cars. Harris, who along with other members of the residents' association has been trying to keep a tally of crimes, said a police officer had told him at the beginning of the month that there had been more than 100 vehicle break-ins in the previous 60 days.

Posted by Justin Fenton at 9:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The man charged with trying to blow up a Catonsville Armed Forces Career Center wanted to wage a holy war, according to newly filed court documents by the FBI. They describe how the suspect (read the original criminal complaint) used computer terminals at a Baltimore County library.

Baltimore Sun reporter Nick Madigan reports today:

For weeks, federal agents say, they had Antonio Martinez under surveillance, watching as he pulled up jihadist videos on computers in Baltimore County libraries and posted Facebook messages urging holy war on nonbelievers. The agents tracked his every move, the hours he spent staring at the screen, his comings and goings.

On Dec. 7, the night before Martinez — he prefers the name Muhammad Hussain — embarked on what the agents say was an attempt to attack the Armed Forces Career Center in Catonsville, he wrote via Facebook to a man he believed was helping him but who was an undercover FBI agent.

After thanking his "beloved brother" for taking part in the plan, Martinez wrote of "a journey that will require patience, sincerity, unity" and expressed the hope that "with the help of Allah we will be victorious."

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

"He smirked at me."

That's how Baltimore Police Officer Todd Strohman described the gunman just before he
pulled the trigger, putting a bullet into his shoulder, a bullet that will remain inches above his heart for the rest of his life.

The cop had another message for state lawmakers who make up the Senate's Judiciary
Committee contemplating tougher guns laws proposed by the city (see city's website describing proposed legislation): If the proposed laws had been on the books, the person charged with shooting him wouldn't have been on the street.

The audience applauded Strohman and the lawmakers wished him well. There was no sense
in grilling him on the necessity of enhanced gun legislation. The man charged in the crime had served two years of a 12-year sentence for armed robbery (the judge had suspended six of the years) and had been charged with five previous gun crimes. He had gotten out a little more than two weeks before the shooting on North Calvert Street.

"Seventeen days after he gets out, he shoots one of our cops," said Deputy Police Commissioner Anthony Barksdale.

See more on the gun hearing:

Continue reading "City, county leaders press for tougher gun laws" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, City Hall, Confronting crime, Courts and the justice system, Crime elsewhere, Kenneth Harris trial, Neighborhoods, Police shootings, Top brass
        

Baltimore's sometimes troubled night-life scene and the links to crime are common stories. But we shouldn't forget that alcohol and violence go hand-in-hand outside the city lines. A recent fight at a Parkville bar that left four people stabbed is just one example.

Just like in Baltimore, residents complained and made it a discussion at a community meeting with police. Cheers Bar has a troubled past, but has been relatively quiet over the past year. That is, until this past weekend.

The Baltimore Sun's Jessica Anderson followed up on the incident and found a liquor board file full of police reports. In the latest incident Saturday, Baltimore County police charged Allen Quentin Johnson, 25, of the 1500 block of Lester Morton Court in Baltimore, with 18 charges including first-degree assault.

Jessica's story gives this account:

According to charging documents, a witness told police that Johnson pulled a folding knife from his pants and stabbed Keith Epps in the chest, Billy Bowden Jr. in the shoulder, David Matthews Jr. in the lower back and Baye Campbell in the right middle finger.

The witness told police that Johnson said after the Saturday incident that "a couple people might die tonight 'cause I started hitting everybody.'"

During an interview with a responding police officer, Johnson told an officer he was trying to break up a fight and admitted he carries a knife. At the end of the interview, he said, "How many people did I hawk up tonight?" The officer asked him to define "hawk," to which he replied "stab," according to charging documents dated early Saturday.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

County police have arrested and charged Duane G. Davis with leaving a toilet - festooned with newspaper clippings, an electronic transmitter and a cell phone — outside the historic Baltimore County courthouse Monday morning, triggering a police reaction that included a bomb-sniffing dog and a small robot.

Though there did not appear to be any threats of violence or indications that the toilet was intended to be perceived as a possible bomb, Davis has been charged with having a "phoney [sic] destruction device" and "false statement - destruction device." He's being held on $200,000 bond, records show.

The Sun's June Torbati reported today that Monday's incident shows how vigilant security officials and the public have become on potential threats, said Ellen Cornelius, a law and policy analyst with the University of Maryland's Center for Health and Homeland Security. "I think people have become more aware, and there have been effective public awareness campaigns" by governments.

We'll have more on this later on line and in print. Here is a copy of the police charging document so you can decide for yourself what crimes he allegedly committed:

Continue reading "Man arrested in Towson toilet incident" »

Posted by Justin Fenton at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The device was a toilet bowl plastered with stickers and newspaper clippings with a cell phone and compact disc attached to it. An old radio sat next to the toilet bowl with a note written on cardboard nearby, and an apparent petition attached to it.

After finding the device outside the courthouse, the maintenance worker notified security personnel at the courthouse.

"It appeared to be suspicious, so they contacted police," police spokesman Lt. Rob McCullough said.

The note requested that state and local officials push the town of Zion, Ill., to "conduct a complete and impartial investigation" into the 2006 death of a Baltimore man's son.

[Photo courtesy Mike Minervini]

Posted by Justin Fenton at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

For months, authorities in southern Pennsylvania were stumped by a string of serial car arson fires at which playing cards were found at the scenes. On Friday, police arrested two men who face charges in the fires, one of which occurred in March in Parkton.

Here's the tale:

Continue reading "Police arrest two in PA arson spree; one victim from Parkton" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County, Crime elsewhere
        

It's time to move the chairs.

Again.

The snow from the most recent storm is all but gone, the ice storm didn't quite materialize and the latest winter blast bypassed us for the Midwest and Northeast. And yet, even now, people are saving public parking spots with lawn chairs.

The snow hit a week ago, and I know crusty piles remain along residential streets. And yes, we here at The Sun just did a story today titled: "Some parts of city still struggle with snowy streets." Some places like Northeast Baltimore's Hamilton neighborhood didn't get very good plow service.

It was a year ago, after back-to-back snow storms, that Baltimore's mayor made a public plea for people to stop saving public parking spaces with lawn furniture and other household items. I wrote that the city looked like a yard sale after a hurricane (the picture here is from last year in Baltimore and was taken by The Sun's Kim Hairston). People were fighting over spots.

It didn't seem an issue during our latest bout with winter. At least that's what I thought until I got an e-mail today, sent out to community folks around Towson. Baltimore County Police Sgt. Stephen Fink, a community liaison, is pleading with people to remove their chairs:

Public roads are just that --PUBLIC-- meaning that an open parking spot along the curb is open to anyone who comes along. I know that parking is a premium in communities such as Rodgers Forge, Ridgeleigh, Loch Raven and Annaslie to name a few here in Towson, but there are many other similar communities throughout Baltimore County and the City that face the same exact dilemma every time it snows.

I recognize how time consuming and strenuous it is to dig one's vehicle out of the snow and then to not have that space available upon returning is frustrating but everyone needs to understand that's what happens in large residential communities that have limited parking which includes parking on the street.  Placing lawn furniture or other items in the street to "save" one's spot is actually a violation of State Law, these items are "foreign materials" and it is illegal to place such items in the roadway.

Fink wrote more:

Continue reading "County cop: chairs marking parking spaces must go!" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

A fire tonight destroyed the Charles Village Pub in Towson, a popular hangout for Towson University students.

The blaze was first reported shortly before 7:30 p.m. and might have started in the kitchen. About 100 firefighters battled the blaze, near the traffic circle, which shut down numerous streets on a busy Saturday night.

The photo was taken by The Sun's Jerry Jackson. Reporter Arthur Hirsch reported:

 "I spent half of my college existence in that building," said April Shaw of Towson, who graduated with a mass communications degree in 2003.  "I just texted my college roommates" to tell them about the fire, she said.

Paul Donhauser, who took some classes at Towson University and now works as law clerk nearby, said he goes to the restaurant occasionally for lunch and went often when he was in school. "It was definitely a college bar," he said. The fire appeared to be under control by about 8:30 p.m. but firefighters remained at the scene, still showering the building with water, although most of the smoke had dissipated by 10 p.m.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Baltimore County, Breaking news
        

SNOWWWWWWWWWW! !

That's stating the obvious, I know, but it comes via Twitter, courtesy of the Baltimore Fire Department firefighters union #734. It's my way of passing along the latest public safety news!

Not to be outdone, Baltimore police put this up on Twitter: "DRIVING ADVISORY: Winter weather conditions are making area roads very slick. Please drive with care and consider staying home."

Of course, the rank and file firefighters and paramedics would be remiss if they didn't also remind you, again via Twitter, that the city continues to close fire companies to save money. So along with storm news, you get this:

Units closed to save money today are Engine 5 & Engine 8. Engine 43 is closed for maintenance. Use caution walking & driving in winter weather.

Engine 8 operates from a firehouse in the 1500 block of West LaFayette Avenue. The house also has a truck and a medic which are operational Engine 5 is out of the Roman Kaminski station in the 2100 block of Eastern Ave.

But enough politics. The last Twitter from Baltimore police was last night, with a man shot in the back in the 800 block of Lennox St. No word yet on his condition. Meanwhile, Liz F. Kay is reporting that the snow you see this morning is "just a teaser" of what we'll see later today and tonight.

Check out the rest of The Baltimore Sun for more snow news, including accidents and road conditions, and closing information. Or better yet, head to Frank Roylance's Maryland Weather blog, Let's see if the adage prove true -- more snow equals less crime.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 7:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Breaking news, Carroll County, Downtown, East Baltimore, Howard County, North Baltimore, Northeast Baltimore, Northwest Baltimore, Southeast Baltimore, Southwest Baltimore, West Baltimore
        

Baltimore County police have announced an increase in a reward leading to the arrest and conviction of four men who who held up people lined up to pay rent at an apartment building last month.

Hendersen-Webb, Inc., owners of Wood Stream Apartments -- are offering $2,500 and Metro Crime Stoppers put up another $2,000.

Here are some of the details from county police:

On December 27, 2010 at approximately 9:45 a.m., four suspects robbed several victims at gunpoint while they were standing in line to pay their rent at 14 Hogarth Circle in Cockeysville. Investigators do not know the identity of the suspects. The four suspects are all described as black males, 25-35 years old, 5’8”-6’ tall, with thin to medium builds. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police are investigating a serial Dunkin Donuts robber that has struck at least six times since October.

The latest attack occurred Dec. 14 about 7:46 p.m. at a shop in the 1600 block of Eastern Boulevard. Police said the man walked into the shop, made coffee and went to the counter. She the clerk opened the register, police said he took out a gun and demanded money. He fled with an undisclosed amount.

In some other robberies, police said the man approached the counter with a cup of hot coffee and then threw it into the clerk's face when she opened the cash register drawer. He then reached into the drawer and took money as the clerk recovered.

Police said they have linked the man to these other cases:

Continue reading "Dunkin Donuts robber sought" »

Posted by Peter Hermann at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police are seeking help from the public in identifying two men who held up a Domino's Pizza at gunpoint in Woodlawn.

Police said that detectives have not received any tips or leads in the robbery, which occurred in the 3500 block of Brenbrook Drive on Dec. 5. Police gave this account of the holdup:

"The suspects entered the store and placed an order. When the clerk opened the cash register, one of the suspects produced a handgun and demanded money while reaching into the register and taking cash. The pair fled the location with an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspects’ images were caught on a store surveillance camera. The first suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5’9” tall, with a large build and short black hair. The second suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6’ tall, with a slim build, also with short black hair. Both suspects appeared to be approximately 28-35 years old."

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to "CRIMES" (274637), then enter the message starting with "MCS," or e-mail a tip to www.metrocrimestoppers.org.

Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

Baltimore County police are seeking help identifying two people (pictured at far left) who they believe have information in the whereabouts of a 48-year-old man who has been missing since Oct. 24. The missing man is identified as Kent Lafon Ridley (pictured on right), who lived in the 100 block of Wesley Ave. in the Wilkens area. He is described as a black male standing 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 130 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes, a light mustache and usually wears glasses.

Police said he was last seen by a relatives at his house.

Today, police said two people have been captured on surveillance camera at a food store in western Baltimore County. Police said they had used an Independence Food Card that belonged to the missing man.Anyone with information is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). To text a message to Metro Crime Stoppers, send to "CRIMES" (274637), then enter the message starting with "MCS," or e-mail a tip to www.metrocrimestoppers.org. Those contacting Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Posted by Peter Hermann at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Baltimore County, Confronting crime
        

The man charged by the FBI with trying to blow up a military recruiting center in Woodlawn got the idea from undercover agents and couldn't have carried it out without their help, the suspect's lawyer argued in federal court.

Joseph A. Balter, with the federal public defender's office, said his client didn't even know how to drive a car but was taught by the FBI. "All of this activity was purely the creation of the government," Balter said of Antonio Martinez.

But prosecutors, arguing that Martinez needed to be held until trial, said he was "grinning from ear to ear" on the day the bombing was to be carried out. They described him with obsessed with dying for God.

The issue of entrapment has come up in several recent and similar cases in which FBI agents latch onto a potential terror suspect and ease him along into trying to blow up a building. In this case, an informant concerned about Martinez's Facebook postings alerted an undercover FBI agent who became Martinez's friend and confidant.

The FBI said last week the agent got the "bomb" built, trained Martinez in how to use it, got him a car and helped him learn to drive it, and convinced him that a bomb would be more deadly than shooting. The FBI says Martinez picked the target and when it came time to blow up what was a fake bomb, he made the calls on the cell phone to detonate it in front of the building.

"We are one of those who wage war," he told the undercover FBI agent, according to a story in today's Sun by Tricia Bishop. "We are not criminals. There will be no peace for oppressors, you will feel our bullets."

Posted by Peter Hermann at 8:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Baltimore County
        

The tactics the FBI used to uncover a plot to bomb a military recruiting center in Catonsville are being increasingly used across the country, but are also raising some questions about whether federal agents are entrapping suspects.

The issue is explored in a lengthy article in today's Sun. It appears from talking with legal experts and attorneys tha