Southern Maryland police briefs

Man charged with rape and kidnapping

On June 21, charges were filed against Robert Michael Bates, 47, of Waldorf alleging rape, kidnapping, assault and false imprisonment.

A criminal indictment sheet claims the crimes occurred around June 6. On that same day, Bates allegedly tried to run over his roommate multiple times, according to court documents.

The case was forwarded to the circuit court, where the rape and kidnapping charges were added. As of June 6, Bates had first- and second-degree assault charges, along with a false imprisonment charge.

At the end of the charging documents from the June 6 incident, it is said that Bates allegedly fled the scene with his girlfriend in his car after he had held her against her will earlier in the day.

Man arrested after multiple alleged domestic incidents

On June 17, officers responded to 3343 Jonathan Court in Waldorf for the report of a domestic assault.

Upon arrival, a woman told officers that her son, Lowell Joseph Braswell Jr., 40, allegedly pushed her at the front door, causing her to fall backward into the hallway of the residence. The woman sustained a cut lip and scratches on her face, charging documents say.

Also, Braswell’s son reported that his father had allegedly poked him in the head with a pocket knife, causing a small abrasion that required stitches, the documents say.

Officers placed Lowell Braswell under arrest and he allegedly kicked an officer in the right side of the chest as he was being placed into the cruiser. Braswell was allegedly intoxicated at the time of his arrest, according to charging documents.

Braswell was charged with one count of first-degree assault and three counts of second-degree assault.

Man allegedly causes head-on collision, drugs found

Around 3:25 p.m. on June 17, officers responded to the area of 9876 Crain Highway for the report of a head-on collision between two vehicles. Upon their arrival at the scene, officers found James William Calomeris, 50, who was driving a red Corvette that was involved in the accident, charging documents say.

Calomeris allegedly told officers that he had not slept in two days, the documents say.

Upon their inspection of the Corvette, officers allegedly found a crack pipe on the floor, suspected crack and approximately 12.5 grams of suspected cocaine, according to charging documents.

Calomeris was advised of his rights and waived them, allegedly informing officers that he had cooked the crack himself, the documents say. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute and paraphernalia possession.

Man charged with theft from store, drugs possession

On June 18 around 1:30 p.m., officers responded to the report of a theft at the Home Depot located at 12050 Jefferson Farm Place in Waldorf.

Antoine Lee Jones, 40, of Columbia was observed by a loss prevention officer allegedly opening packaged items and placing the contents into a grey backpack and a tool bag, charging documents say. After allegedly passing all points of sale with concealed items, officers attempted to stop Jones outside of the business. He allegedly fled on foot but was apprehended roughly 100 feet from the building, the documents say.

Upon searching Jones, officers allegedly located 3 grams of a white substance in his pocket, later found to be crack cocaine. The value of the items that Jones allegedly took from the Home Depot totaled $1,774.63.

Two other individuals who were with Jones fled the scene, and Jones allegedly refused to identify them.

Jones is charged with felony theft, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and failure to obey a lawful order.

Advisory issued to vehicle owners

During the overnight hours of June 18, several motor vehicles in neighborhoods surrounding Chancellor’s Run Road in Great Mills were entered and items were stolen. Many of these cars were left unlocked. Video surveillance from residences in the area shows what appears to be the same three people entering or attempting to enter several different cars. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating these incidents.

The sheriff’s office urges residents to take precautions to prevent further incidents. Vehicle owners are reminded to lock cars, even when parked in driveways or in front of homes.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact Deputy Richard Stillwell at Richard.Stillwell@stmaryscountymd.gov or 301-475-4200, ext. 8183. Tipsters can also call Crime Solvers 24/7 at 301-475-3333 or send a text to Crime Solvers at 274637. Type “Tip239” in the message block and select SEND. After you get a response, continue your conversation.

Fugitive caught after barricade

Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office successfully apprehended Dimarian Eltreek Logan, 20, of Lexington Park following a three-hour barricade June 20.

According to a sheriff’s office press release, in the early afternoon, detectives from the criminal investigations division located Logan in an apartment on Admiral Lane in Lexington Park. He had escaped incarceration in May by removing his GPS monitoring device.

On June 20 shortly after 6 p.m., a barricade was declared when Logan refused to respond to detectives. Roads in the immediate area were closed, and officers with the hostage negotiation team made continuous but unsuccessful attempts to communicate with him. Members of the emergency services team entered the apartment and Logan was apprehended at approximately 9:46 p.m.

Logan escaped May 7 while on a court-approved furlough. He had been jailed following fourth-degree burglary charges, which violated his probation for a January 2021 robbery conviction.

According to the sheriff’s office press release, following his apprehension, Logan was taken to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for a precautionary evaluation. The charges he is facing include violation of probation, escape, burglary and malicious destruction of property.

Hollywood woman charged with animal cruelty

On June 19, a 44-year-old Hollywood woman was charged with one count of aggravated cruelty to an animal plus 10 charges of animal cruelty following an investigation by with St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and the county’s animal control division.

According to court documents filed by Deputy Bianca Melton, on June 15 she responded to the county animal shelter. An adult male dog had to subsequently be euthanized due to severe injuries, which included burns, scars and broken bones. Melton said the dog had been found in this condition by animal control on June 9 at a Hollywood residence. The resident of the home is identified in court papers as Kenjewel Faye McCullough.

Melton stated that when she went to the residence to speak with McCullough, two puppies that were locked in a crate were found. “Both puppies were emaciated to the point where their ribs could be counted individually from a distance away,” Melton stated in the charging papers. The puppies are now under the care of a veterinarian.

A court summons was issued for McCullough the same day the charges were filed and a district court hearing on the case is scheduled for July 26.

Indian Head man facing burglary, assault charges

On June 20, Deputy Jason Smith of the St. Mary’s sheriff’s office responded to a church in Mechanicsville to investigate an incident involving alleged assaults and a burglary.

The defendant, identified as Darius A. Mills, 31, of Indian Head, allegedly broke into the church’s storehouse and assaulted a husband and wife who are the storehouse caretakers.

According to court documents, Mills allegedly attempted to remove the man’s wallet from the couple’s vehicle. Mills also allegedly exposed himself indecently to his female accuser.

During a search, Smith stated he located a quantity of suspected crack cocaine in Mills’ possession.

Mills is charged with fourth-degree burglary, indecent exposure, three counts of second-degree assault, drug possession, and rogue and vagabond. He was ordered held without bond.

A competency hearing is scheduled for July 2 in district court. A hearing on the charges is scheduled for Aug. 8.

Chesapeake Beach man charged with being disorderly, threatening cops

On June 15, deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Cox Road in Chesapeake Beach. According to documents filed by Deputy Jakob Madura, the call was due to a report that one resident was blocking another’s driveway with his van.

The man was identified as Paul Chance Messinese, 57, of Chesapeake Beach. Madura wrote in court documents that Messinese was the subject of a peace order filed by a female neighbor.

While moving his van, Messinese allegedly began yelling at the deputies. “He was instructed to return to his house several times,” Madura said.

The defendant allegedly retrieved a baseball bat and approached the deputies in a threatening manner, Madura stated in court documents. After refusing to obey the deputies’ orders, Messinese was arrested. After a struggle with the officers, the defendant was handcuffed.

Messinese was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, having a dangerous weapon with intent to injure, failure to comply with a peace order and failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order. He was ordered held without bond. A district court hearing on the charges Messinese is facing is scheduled for July 16.

St. Leonard man charged with assault

On June 18, Deputy Ryan Campbell of the Calvert sheriff’s office responded to a Prince Frederick residence where a fight had allegedly occurred.

A female witness told Campbell a man showed up at the home and allegedly fought with and threatened another man when he was “brandishing a box cutter in his hand.” The man was subsequently identified as Eli Matthew Arthur Blush, 34, of St. Leonard.

His male accuser admitted “there had been a road rage incident” on Route 4 and Blush had followed him to the house. Blush told Campbell he did so because was concerned about his accuser’s “driving behaviors.”

Blush said when he asked his accuser if he was all right the man began to scream at him, which resulted in the fight.

Blush was charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. He was later released on his own recognizance.

According to a court order, Blush must stay away from the Prince Frederick residence where the alleged incident occurred. A district court hearing on the charges is scheduled for July 17.

Calvert man facing charges for threatening motorists

On June 19, a lookout was posted by Calvert communications center for an orange Crown Victoria. According to Deputy Tristan Plant of the Calvert sheriff’s office, the Crown Vic’s driver allegedly brandished a gun during an alleged “road rage” incident on Route 4.

The person who called in the report stated the Crown Vic “sped up alongside” the complainant’s vehicle and the driver “pointed the firearm in their direction,” Plant stated in court papers. A description of the driver was broadcast and the Crown Victoria was spotted and subsequently located in the parking lot of the Prince Frederick Walmart.

Plant said the driver, who was identified as Jervonta L. Thomas, 23, of St. Leonard, initially said he was not driving a vehicle and then “indicated he was not involved in a road rage incident while driving.” He advised he brandished “a stick” during the incident.

Plant said in court documents that a search of Thomas’ vehicle yielded a loaded Glock semiautomatic handgun.

Thomas was charged with two counts of first-degree assault plus seven misdemeanor charges related to handgun violations. On June 21, he posted $1,000 bond and was released. A district court hearing on the charges is scheduled for July 19.

Delaware man facing fugitive charges

On June 22, Trooper E. Barrientos of the Maryland State Police Prince Frederick Barrack arrested a 35-year-old Wilmington, Del., man, who, according to court documents, is charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol in Philadelphia, Pa.

On June 24, a Calvert County judge set bail for defendant John Guy Roach at $10,000. Roach, according to court documents, declined to waiver extradition. He remains held in lieu of bond. A district court hearing on Roach’s fugitive charge is scheduled for July 24.

Unsolved theft from local marina probed

On June 9, Deputy William Parrott responded to Flag Harbor Marina in St. Leonard for the report of a theft. The complainant told the deputy that several boat parts and accessories had been stolen from the boatyard at various times.

The stolen items include a Mercury 20 horsepower boat motor, a wrench set, an engine mount, a boat prop and an I-beam. The total value of the stolen property is $2,500. Anyone with information that could aid investigators in this case should call the sheriff’s office at 410-535-2800.