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

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

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

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

Source: AACoPD

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

Glen Burnie

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

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

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

Lothian

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

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

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

Source: AACoFD

Gregory Dontae Lewis

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

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

UPDATE:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: AACoPD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: AACoPD

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

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

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

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

On March 12, 2014, at approximately 6:00 a.m. officers from the Western District responded to the 1100 block of Honeysuckle Lane in Crownsville/Annapolis for a report of an unoccupied taxi minivan. The caller advised that the vehicle appeared suspicious and the meter was running.

Officers arrived on scene and found blood inside of the vehicle along with other signs of a struggle. At this point, there was no one in the immediate area of the vehicle. Additional officers were summoned to the area to conduct an extensive search.

Officers searched the area and found the body of an adult male on a driveway near the intersection of Honeysuckle Lane and Generals Highway. The male was suffering from upper body trauma.

The Criminal Investigations Division responded to handle the investigation. At this point, no motive has been established and it is unknown if this was a random or targeted incident.

The deceased has since been identified as Benjamin Delano Kirby, Jr. 41, of Annapolis.

There is no information on a suspect(s) at this time.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Metro Crime Stoppers or the Anne Arundel County Police Homicide Unit at 410-222-3566.

Source: AACoPD

On March 13, 2014, at approximately 10:20 a.m., a student at Southern High School approached a teacher and conveyed that they believed another student was under the influence of alcohol.  The teacher alerted school administrators, and they brought the 16-year-old male to the office to speak with him regarding a possible alcohol violation.

These discussions led school officials to believe the student drove a truck to school.  The student was not, however, authorized to park on campus.  Additionally, school officials had reason to believe the truck contained contraband prohibited on school property.

Administrators requested assistance from the School Resource Officer as they searched the student’s truck.  During that search, an unloaded 12-gauge shotgun was found in the truck’s covered bed.  A single, unspent 12-gauge shotgun shell was found in the cab, as was a bottle containing an alcoholic beverage.  The School Resource Officer took custody of the weapon, the ammunition and alcohol.  The 16-year-old male was arrested and transported to the Southern District station.  Prior to the weapon’s discovery, there are no indications the student made any threats against anyone at the school.  The student faces disciplinary sanctions from Anne Arundel County Public Schools in addition to criminal charges.

Suspect:  16-year-old male from Lothian; cited for underage alcohol possession and possession of a deadly weapon on school property. 

Source: AACoPD

On January 20th at 10pm officers responded to the area of 20 Silopanna Road for a report of an armed robbery. When they arrived they located Brett Shumaker, 32, of Harwood seated on the roadway suffering from gun shot wounds. Shumaker was walking on the footbridge in the area when he was approached by two men. One of the men pointed a firearm at Shumaker and demanded his belongings. The other man displayed a knife. Shumaker fought the suspect with a knife. While fighting he heard the gun being fired and felt a pain in his right arm. Shumaker ran from the area seeking help. Shumaker was shot multiple times and transported to Baltimore Shock Trauma for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. On January 24th Shumaker was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of CDS with intent to distribute, three counts of possession of CDS, and three counts of possession of CDS paraphernalia for items recovered at the time of the shooting. Shumaker was released by the District Court Commissioner on his own recognizance.

UPDATE
Through investigation Annapolis Police Department detectives determined that Maurice Hall, 26, of Annapolis and Savvas Pantelides, 24, of Annapolis are connected with this incident. On March 13th both Hall and Pantelides were arrested and charged with attempted first and second degree murder, first and second degree assault, use of a firearm in a violent crime, armed robbery, robbery, theft less than $1,000 and conspiracy to commit attempted first and second degree murder, first and second degree assault, use a firearm in a violent crime, armed robbery, robbery, reckless endangerment, and theft less than $1,000. Hall and Pantelides are both being held at the Jennifer Road Detention Center without bond. Anyone with information about this shooting is urged to contact Detective Michael Prout at 410-268-9000 ext. 7209 or msprout@annapolis.gov.

The mayor’s office has confirmed that Pantelides is indeed the mayor’s cousin but is offering no further comment.

Eye on Annapolis has learned that acting city attorney, Tim Murnane, was present at the police station and with Pantelides. City spokeswoman Rhonda Bentley-Wardlaw told us that Murnane was not acting on behalf of the city.

Savvas Pantelides, 24, of Annapolis

Savvas Pantelides, cousin of Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides, has had a long history with law enforcement in the County.  Savvas (sometimes spelled Saavas) was first arrested when he turned 18 for trespassing and resisting arrest. Any citations issues while a juvenile are sealed. Most recently, he was arrested for attempted murder surrounding an incident that happened earlier in the year.

According to the Maryland Judiciary search, Pantelides has been charged in 7 separate incidents.

1. July 2008, Trespassing and resisting arrest.  Sentenced via Probation Before Judgement (PBJ) for 1 year probation.
2. October 2008, 2nd Degree Assault on a police officer. Served 2 months in jail and violated terms of his probation within the following year.
3. March 2010, Theft and giving false statement to police officer. Sentenced to 5 years of probation.
4. March 2010. Negligent manslaughter and various other charges. Sentenced to 4.5 years in jail with 3 years suspended. He was to begin his jail sentence on 12/20/2012 and serve 18 months. This would have put his release date 6/20/2014.  Pantelides requested modifications to his sentence several times and all were denied. It is unclear from the database why he was released prior to serving the sentence.
5. April 2012. CDS charges. The disposition of this case is unclear.
6. August 2012, CDS charges. Possession of CDS paraphernalia. The case was put on the STET docket and no action was taken.
7. March 2014, Attempted 1st and 2nd degree murder and various other criminal charges.

On Friday, March 14, 2014 at 8:00 a.m., the Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Homeland Security and Intelligence Section received information regarding a possible threat to Anne Arundel Councilman Dick Ladd, Maryland State House Speaker Michael Bush and Maryland State Senator Mike Miller, Jr.

An investigation was immediately launched by Homeland Security & Intelligence Unit. The detectives’ investigation revealed an individual, who was later identified as Paul David Grimm, made verbal threats of violence towards the above elected officials.

The suspect, who resides in the 100 block of Tarks Lane, Severna Park, MD, was upset over a storm water management pond in his community. He expressed discontent to an Anne Arundel County Public Works contractor and Councilman Dick Ladd. Councilman Ladd was also contacted by an Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works contractor informing him about Grimm expressing discontent over the work being done.

On March 12, 2014, Councilman Ladd received a call from the Department of Public Works complaining that Paul Grimm was being very verbally abusive about work being done at the storm drain. Councilman Ladd advised that Paul Grimm was upset over the county digging the storm drain on his street and disagreed with the project.

On the same date, Councilman Ladd and a witness proceeded to the area of the 100 block of Tarks Lane to speak to Mr. Grimm and to look at the work being done. When contact was made with Paul Grimm, he became agitated about the water drain project. While Councilman Ladd was speaking to Mr. Grimm’s daughter, Mr. Grimm pointed his finger at Councilman Ladd and made reference to “taking him out” and the fact that he would have a weapon. Mr. Grimm then referenced Mike Miller and Mike Busch advising that he would “take them out” too. He continued by advising “it would be a fantasy of his to see Mike Miller and Mike Busch” knock on his door because “they would come out in body bags.”

Fearing for their safety, Councilman Ladd and the witness departed the area without escalating the situation.

Detectives corroborated this information by conducting witness interviews as well as examining additional evidence obtained during the investigation. Homeland Security & Intelligence Section detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Grimm based on their investigation. Detectives arrested Paul David Grimm without incident at his residence. He was transported to the Eastern District where he was interviewed and processed for 3 counts of Threats to State Official.

“We take criminal threats against our elected officials very seriously,” said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis. “We will act expeditiously when someone detracts from the capacity of the people’s representatives to safely represent our communities.”

Suspect:         Paul David Grimm, 58 of 100 Block of Tarks Lane, Severna Park, MD 21146

Charges: (3) Counts Threat/State Official to Injure

Source: AACoPD

Anne Arundel County police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide which occurred in the 8000 block of Highpoint Road in the Orchard beach section of Pasadena this afternoon.

Details are limited, but police say they received a call about a possible shooting shortly after 2:00pm. Upon arrival officers were told the man left the home and was carrying a long gun (rifle or shot gun). The man eventually returned to the home and barricaded himself inside.

SWAT teams were called to the scene and while they were getting in place, another shot was heard. They made entry and discovered two people dead.

There was no further information.  More details to follow.

On Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at approximately 2:19 p.m., officers from the Eastern District responded to the 8000 block of High Point Road, Baltimore, Maryland for a report of a shooting.

Upon arrival, officers were informed a female had been shot and the suspect was in the residence with her.  Officers observed a male inside the residence and shortly thereafter heard a gunshot.

The Anne Arundel County Police Special Operations Section made entry into the residence and located a female with an apparent gunshot wound to her upper body lying at the bottom of the basement steps. A male was located seated in a room near the front door with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the upper body.  Fire personnel responded to the scene and pronounced both the male and female as being deceased.

Anne Arundel County Homicide Detectives assisted by Eastern District Detectives responded to the scene and interviews with multiple witnesses were conducted.  The investigation revealed the suspect, Charles Benton White, 67, of the 8000 block of High Point Road, got into an argument with his girlfriend who lived with him.  During the argument Charles Benton White obtained a long gun and shot his girlfriend, identified as Elizabeth Leigh Thorpe, 25, of the 8000 block of High Point Road.

A witness tried to get the weapon from Charles Benton White, but he was able to retain possession at which time he turned the weapon on himself taking his own life.  This incident was a domestic related homicide and not a random act of violence.

As the investigation continues we urge anyone with information on this incident to contact Detective Jack Hartzell of the Homicide Unit at 410-222-3460 or Metro Crime Stoppers

Suspect: Charles Benton White, 67, of the 8000 block of High Point Rd. Orchard Beach, MD

Victim: Elizabeth Leigh Thorpe, 25, of the 8000 block of High Point Rd. Orchard Beach, MD

Source: AACoPD

On March 12, 2014, at approximately 6:00 a.m. officers from the Western District responded to the 1100 block of Honeysuckle Lane in Crownsville/Annapolis for a report of an unoccupied taxi minivan. The caller advised that the vehicle appeared suspicious and the meter was running.

Officers arrived on scene and found blood inside of the vehicle along with other signs of a struggle. At this point, there was no one in the immediate area of the vehicle. Additional officers were summoned to the area to conduct an extensive search.

Officers searched the area and found the body of an adult male on a driveway near the intersection of Honeysuckle Lane and Generals Highway. The male was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The Criminal Investigations Division’s Homicide Unit responded to handle the investigation.

The deceased has since been identified as Benjamin “Benny” Delano Kirby, Jr. 41, of Annapolis. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on the victim and ruled his death as a single gunshot wound with the manner being Homicide.

UPDATE:

While the homicide investigation was on-going, the Anne Arundel County Police Department responded to a burglary in the 700 block of Governor Bridge Road on Friday, March 14, 2014 at approximately 7:56 p.m. Located in the residence was Trevor Allen Snead, 17, from Charles County. Trevor Snead was located hiding in the residence and taken into custody without incident and charged with First Degree Burglary and related charges.

Officers located a truck at the scene of the burglary. That truck was later found to be stolen by Snead from Charles County. Southern District Detectives executed a search warrant on the truck. As a result of that search, multiple pieces of evidence were discovered linking Snead to the Benjamin Kirby Jr. homicide.

The evidence included a pair of pants located within the truck that had apparent bloodstains on them. The Anne Arundel County Evidence Collection Unit assisted by the Serology Lab was able to determine the blood on the pants was that of Benjamin Kirby Jr. Also located in the truck were .45 caliber rounds of ammunition. This ammunition is consistent with what was recovered from the crime scene. Several latent prints were recovered from the victim’s taxi cab. A latent print recovered from the driver’s door of the taxi cab matched that of Trevor Snead.

On Wednesday, March 19, 2014, homicide detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Trevor Snead with First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Firearm Use/Felony Violent Crime, and Handgun on a Person in regards to the Benjamin Kirby Jr. homicide.

Trevor Snead was already in custody in regards to the burglary so detectives picked him up at which time he was interviewed. Trevor Snead admitted his involvement in the murder/robbery of Benjamin Kirby Jr. as well as his associate, Michael Juvan Wallace, 23, of the 2900 block 2nd Army Drive, Fort Meade, Maryland.

Investigation revealed that after leaving the scene of the murder, Trevor Snead and Michael Wallace fled on foot and went to a business located on Defense Highway. Surveillance footage from the business shows Wallace and Snead enter the establishment. Wallace is wearing clothing that is consistent with the clothing containing the blood of the victim. Surveillance footage shows Wallace buying beverages for Snead and himself with apparent money taken during the homicide/robbery.

Homicide detectives secured an arrest warrant charging Michael Juvan Wallace with First Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Firearm Use/Felony Violent Crime, Handgun on a Person and Handgun in a Vehicle.

During the early morning hours of Thursday, March 20, 2014, Homicide Detectives assisted by Army Criminal Investigation Division and their Swat Team executed a search warrant in the 2900 block 2nd Army Drive, Fort Meade, Maryland. Located within the residence was Michael Wallace where he was taken into custody without incident. Michael Wallace was interviewed by Homicide detectives at which time he admitted to his role in the robbery/homicide of Benjamin Kirby Jr.

Michael Juvan Wallace, 23, of 2958 2nd Army Dr. Unit B, Ft. Meade, MD 20755
Charged with: First Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, Firearm Use/Felony Violent Crime, Handgun on a Person and Handgun in a Vehicle

Trevor Allen Snead, 17, of 9830 Sodus Manor Pl. Faulkner, MD 20632
Charged as an adult with: First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Firearm Use/Felony Violent Crime, and Handgun on a Person

“This tragic case was solved quickly thanks the situational awareness patrol officers and detectives,” said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis. “They observed evidence and passed this information along to our Criminal Investigation Division who worked tirelessly to bring charges against these two suspects.”

Even with the arrests of Wallace and Snead, this investigation is very active and detectives are urging anyone with information on this case to call Detective Jovone Martelle at 410-222-3463 or Metro Crime Stoppers.

Source: AACoPD

Annapolis Police detectives arrested two suspects in the 2013 killing of John Ray on March 16^th and 18^th closing Annapolis’ only unsolved murder from April of last year.

Tahzay Brown, 24, of Glen Burnie was arrested on March 16^th and charged with first and second degree murder, first and second degree assault, armed robbery, use of a firearm in a violent crime, handgun possession, and theft under $10,000.  After initially being held without bond, Tahzay Brown was released from the Anne Arundel County Detention Centeron $500,000 bail following a hearing.  Todd Brown, 25, of Annapolis was arrested on March 18^th and charged with the same offenses as Tahzay Brown.  Todd Brown is being held at theCounty Detention Center without bond.

On April 21, 2013 officers responded to the 200 block of Victor Parkway for a report of a possible shooting.  Officers found John Ray, 32, of Huntingtown in a vehicle.  John Ray had been shot and died at the scene.  Through investigation Annapolis Police Department detectives determined that Tahzay Brown and Todd Brown are responsible for the murder of John Ray.  The detectives worked to solve this case as a non-stop priority merging video surveillance, phone evidence, and significant help from the community.

These latest arrests underscore the Department’s continued progress in reducing violence in Annapolis.  For the last three years violent crime has declined to levels not seen since the 1979.

“Both arrests are the result of exemplary police work and true community partnership,” said Police Chief Michael Pristoop.  “My continued promise to the people of Annapolis is that our department will use every resource available to continue to make our city safer and send a very clear message to those individuals who bring violence to our communities that they will be held accountable.”

Anyone with information about this homicide is urged to contact Detective Charles Bealefeld 410-268-9000 ext. 7299 or cebealefeld@annapolis.gov.

This morning at about 3:15am, two men entered the 7 Eleven at the corner of Bay Ridge and Edgewood Roads.  One of them jumped over the counter and displayed a handgun.

Both men took money, packs of Newport cigarettes, and Dutch Master cigars from the business.

An employee’s purse and cell phone were also stolen.  The suspects fled the business and could not be located.

During the summer of 2013, the Anne Arundel County Police Department began to observe a noticeable rise in heroin overdoses in the Southern portion of Anne County in areas such as Annapolis, Parole, and Edgewater. Through intelligence gathering, it was determined that the majority of the overdoses were occurring in public places such as malls and shopping centers and many of the people purchasing and using the heroin were traveling from other counties into Anne Arundel County. After obtaining this information and sensing the potential huge public safety and health issue, Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis directed members of his Command Staff to put together a plan with a focus on targeting heroin dealers who travel to the area to purchase and/or sell heroin, potentially increasing the risk of overdoses in the County along with providing users with education and avenues for treatment. As a result, “Operation H.O.P.E. (Heroin Overdose Prevention and Eradication) was created.

Based on observations and information obtained regarding heroin trafficking, members of the Anne Arundel County Police Department began working closely with other federal, state and local partners to identify, disrupt and target the operations of heroin dealers in Anne Arundel County while conducting interviews and gathering intelligence to ultimately make criminal arrests when probable cause existed. Aside from enforcement, Chief Davis has asked the Anne Arundel County Department of Health and the Anne Arundel County Crisis Response System to assist the Police Department in an effort to provide resources to heroin users who need assistance in battling their addiction.

In many cases, police officers are the first responders on the scene of an overdose and every second counts in this type of scenario. With this in mind, Chief Davis decided to take another valuable step by purchasing “Narcan”, a potentially life-saving drug that can reverse the side effects of a heroin overdose. Members of the Anne Arundel County Police Department are currently being trained by members of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department on how to use “Narcan”. “Narcan”, which police officers will administer through a nasal spray that they will be issued, has been successful in treating overdoses of heroin and other opiates by EMS providers for years. The drug reverses the effects of an overdose. During an opiate overdose, a patient may suffer a disruption in normal breathing. In some cases, breathing may stop altogether, quickly leading to death.

During training, every patrol officer in the agency will receive a dose of naloxone. In Anne Arundel County alone so far in 2014, 85(*) people have suffered heroin overdoses. Of those overdoses, 12(*) were fatal. The Police Department has continued to combat the two most prevalent crimes in Anne Arundel County: theft from automobiles and theft of precious metals. The common denominator in these types of crimes is suspects addicted to the drug heroin. During the last several months, officers in several districts have made arrests during Operation H.O.P.E. resulting in seizures of suspected heroin.

“The heroin problem that exists is not isolated to Anne Arundel County, and this is not an issue that law enforcement can arrest their way out of,” said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis. “A holistic approach, involving education, treatment and enforcement is needed to tackle this disease. One of the major tenets of law enforcement is to protect lives and I believe that outfitting officers with “Narcan” is an invaluable tool in the effort to save people from losing their battles with substance abuse.”

Source: AACoPD

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On March 20, 2014 detectives from the Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division received information in reference to reports of a possible child sex abuse.

During the course of the investigation, evidence was obtained that Andrew Dickinson Grabau had sexually abused a child over a several month period in 2013. Grabau had been hired by the victim’s parents to babysit. Family members indicated to investigators that they left their child in the care of Grabau on numerous occasions between April 2013 and October 2013.

Based on the investigation charges were filed against Grabau. On March 27th, 2014 Andrew Dickinson Grabau, was arrested on a warrant. He was charged with Sex Abuse of a Minor, 3rd & 4th Degree Sex Offenses, and 2nd Degree Assault, stemming from the investigation that was initiated on March 20th, 2014. The offenses took place at the victims residence.

Anyone with information or concerns regarding Andrew Dickinson Grabau is encouraged to contact Detective Joshua Williams at 410-222-3484.

Suspect:
Andrew Dickinson Grabau, 22, 2900 block Poplar Trail Annapolis, Maryland

He was released on $25,000.00 bail.

Source: AACoPD

Darrius Eric Carr

On March 21,2014, the Anne Arundel County Police Department initiated an investigation involving the sexual abuse of a child.

Through the investigation, it was learned that a toddler left in the care and custody of Darrius Eric Carr was sexually abused over the course of several days.  Based on evidence recovered during the investigation, detectives submitted an application for a statement of charges to the District Court Commissioner.

Currently, there is an outstanding arrest warrant charging Carr with Sex Abuse of a Minor, Third and Fourth Degree Sex Offenses, and Second Degree Assault, Production and Possession of Child Pornography. The identity and age of the victim is not being released.

Anyone with additional information related to this investigation or if there are any additional victims, they are urged to contact Detective Kristine Mays at 410-222-3478.

Suspect: Darrius Eric Carr, 20, of no fixed address, but is known to frequent the Baltimore area. 

Source: AACoPD

Shauna Gunter had been in some trouble locally. She was accused of working as a Physician’s Assistant with stolen credentials and stealing from her employer. ABC2‘s Joce Sterman initially reported on the story in conjunction with Eye On Annapolis back in October and now she is updating it via twitter. Gunter, of Arnold has been indicted by Federal authorities with wire fraud, aggravated ID theft, and health care fraud.

More details to come.

Gunter has been charged by the feds with wire fraud, aggravated ID theft & health care fraud…

— Joce Sterman (@jocefromABC2) April 4, 2014

And to think I had hopes of getting out of here on time on a Friday….. #outthewindow

— Joce Sterman (@jocefromABC2) April 4, 2014

I'll break this whole thing down for you at 6 on @ABC2NEWS

— Joce Sterman (@jocefromABC2) April 4, 2014

In addition to fraudulently treating abt 200 patients, feds say Gunter also forged prescriptions for her own kid, who had to be weaned off

— Joce Sterman (@jocefromABC2) April 4, 2014

This is Shawna Gunter…the feds say she stole a Howard Univ student's PA diploma and used it to treat patients pic.twitter.com/5tqacEXL5l

— Joce Sterman (@jocefromABC2) April 4, 2014

BREAKING: Shawna Gunter, AA County woman accused of acting as a physician's assistant was indicted today

— Joce Sterman (@jocefromABC2) April 4, 2014