Statement from Sheriff Melvin C. High Domestic Violence Awareness Month - “Building on Strength”

Upper Marlboro, MD… “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time when we in law enforcement and the organizations whose daily work is ending domestic violence remind citizens that the work to end domestic violence continues. Nationally and worldwide, violence against women remains high. Unfortunately, women are most often the victims of domestic violence and children are often the silent, unseen victims. 

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, my message today is that there is hope and help. In the State of Maryland and in Prince George’s County, there is a wide variety of resources to help victims of domestic violence access the resources they need to move from victim to survivor.

In the Office of the Sheriff, that help is available from our Special Victim Assistants (SVA) who are part of our Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID). 

Our SVAs are available at the:

             

       Upper Marlboro Courthouse – 301-952-2350

             Hyattsville Courthouse – 301-298-4252

             Sheriff’s Headquarters – 301-780-8425

Together, we can end domestic violence.”

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.
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Record 107 Arrests in Violent Offender Warrant Suppression Operation

 Upper Marlboro, MD… Upper Marlboro, MD…The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported that in one of the final weekends of the Violent Offender Warrant Suppression (VOWS) operation, it made a record 107 arrests to break an earlier record set in mid-July when the operation began. The sweep took place late Sunday night September 22 into Monday morning, September 23; the 107 arrests closed 120 warrants.  The overnight sweep is the continuation of the VOWS initiative, a multi-week operation led by the Office of the Sheriff and funded by a grant from the Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP).

The most recent sweep included 16 teams comprised of more than 75 law enforcement officers, including Sheriff’s Deputies leading each team, Maryland State Police (MSP), County Police (PGPD), Maryland Park Police, along with the Capitol Heights and Colmar Manor Police Departments. 

The recent sweep brings the operation totals to over 900 warrants disposed of.  The highest numbers of arrests continues to be Assaults at 184, followed by Theft at 61, CDS (drugs) at 46, and Burglary at 25. In addition, the number of detainers for the operation to date is up to 133 for individuals who were located incarcerated in another jurisdiction. The Detainer asks the other jurisdiction to detain the individual pending extradition by the Sheriff’s Office.

“The results are outstanding and must be attributed to the hard work of our deputies and our partner agency officers, and the critical investigative prep-work done by our investigators on all the warrants to prepare for the operation.” said Captain William Mints, Assistant Bureau Chief of Field Operations. 

Sheriff High spoke with the teams at roll call before they left Sheriff’s Headquarters with over 345 warrants to be served at addresses all over the County.  “This operation is focused on serving the warrants that are our first priority in keeping the community safe – the most violent offenders,” said Sheriff High. “I urge extra caution because these offenders are known to be violent, they represent the greatest danger to our community and they don’t want to be caught.”

Sheriff High went on to say that the partnership with GOCCP and with fellow law enforcement partners provides the resources and the manpower capacity that made these results possible. “Together, they give us the ability to cover more geography, knock on more doors and make more arrests.”

In addition to the 107 physical arrests made during the operation, 42 other wanted suspects turned themselves in after Deputies attempted service. These subjects became aware that they were being sought by Sheriff’s Deputies and subsequently turned themselves in.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.
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Citizen Alert – New Traffic Laws from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

Effective today, Tuesday, October 1, 2013 several new Maryland  Traffic Laws take Effect. 

According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration:

Maryland's Cell Phone Use Ban (TR 21–1124.2) 
 Maryland’s cell phone law now prohibits a driver from using a cell phone while a motor vehicle is in motion. This is a primary offense. Law enforcement officers can stop a driver solely for using a cell phone – no other offense is needed. Drivers will receive a fine (not counting court costs) of up to:

$ 75 – first offense
                                        $125 – second offense
                                        $175 – third & subsequent offense

Maryland's Seat Belt Law
 Maryland has a primary seat belt law for front seat occupants AND a secondary seat belt law for back seat occupants.

Tickets can be issued to drivers and front seat passengers even if no other violation is observed.

Each person that is not buckled up (driver and passenger) may receive a ticket of up to $50 for not wearing a seatbelt.

In the case where any passenger under the age of 16 years of age is not buckled up, the driver will receive a ticket for each offense. For instance, if a driver is stopped and not wearing a seat belt, and a passenger under the age of 16 is also not restrained, the driver will receive a $50 adult seat belt ticket for himself and a $50 ticket for the passenger.

For more information visit the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration's website at www.mva.maryland.gov/

Victim’s Actions Thwart Second Degree Rape Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Warrant/Fugitive Division has arrested Demain Dacosta on an arrest warrant for Second Degree Rape obtained by County Police Criminal Investigative Division (CID) detectives on September 9, 2013.

According to the warrant, in late August, Dacosta raped a female acquaintance in her home. The victim reported the rape to authorities which ultimately resulted in the warrant being obtained by County Police. The victim also applied for and was granted a peace order.

Deputies apprehended Dacosta in the Upper Marlboro Courthouse following a court appearance in response to the peace order last Thursday. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections. CID detectives were notified of the arrest.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.
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Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest Assault Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD…  The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest Friday of Anisha Wilson on an arrest warrant for First Degree Assault obtained by County Police District II detectives on September 10, 2013.

According to the warrant, the male victim was walking home from school in the area of Arena Dr. and Largo Rd. in Upper Marlboro, MD, when he was approached by Wilson, who was driving a dark green vehicle, and asked for directions to Bowie State University. The victim attempted to show Wilson directions to the University via his IPHONE, when Wilson forcibly grabbed the phone and attempted to flee the scene. The victim sustained injuries to his elbows and hands as a result of being dragged along the roadway during the struggle.

Deputies investigating Wilson’s whereabouts were led to the Bowie State University Campus where they, along with the assistance of Bowie State Campus Police, located and apprehended her without incident.

District II detectives were notified Wilson’s arrest and she was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections – charged with First and Second Degree Assault, Robbery, and Misdemeanor Theft.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-7354.

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Sheriff’s Deputies Arrest Rape Suspect

Upper Marlboro, MD…  The Warrant/Fugitive Division reported the arrest Wednesday of Keith Parker on an arrest warrant for Second Degree Rape obtained by County Police detectives on September 3, 2013.

According to the warrant, Parker raped the female victim during a party at a residence in the 3800 block of 26^th Avenue in Temple Hills, MD, on August 24, 2013.

Deputies investigating the whereabouts of Parker located and apprehended him at his residence in Temple Hills, MD, last Wednesday.

County Police detectives were notified of the arrest and Parker was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections – charged with Second Degree Rape and Second Degree Assault.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-7354.

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Deputies Arrest Attempted 2nd Degree Murder Suspect in Rockville

Upper Marlboro, MD…On Monday, September 9, 2013 Deputies from the Warrant Fugitive Division arrested Nicole Gray on an arrest warrant for Attempted Second Degree Murder obtained by County Police Detectives.

According to the warrant, on September 4, 2013 Gray side-swiped a parked vehicle in the 5400 block of Livingston Road in Oxon Hill, MD. When she was approached by a witness and the owner of the other vehicle a verbal exchange ensued. The witness and victim stood in front of Gray’s vehicle essentially blocking her as she attempted to leave the scene. According to the warrant, Gray struck both women, dragging one approximately 60 feet before fleeing the scene. Several witnesses followed Gray and were able to flag down Police Officers, who apprehended her after a chase which resulted in her crashing her vehicle.  Police Officers reported admitting Gray to Prince George’s County Hospital Center due to her erratic behavior.

 

Deputies investigating Gray’s whereabouts related to the warrant were led to an address in the 1300 block of Piccard Dr. in Rockville, MD. With the assistance of the Montgomery County Police Department Gray was located and apprehended without incident.

 

She was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections where she is being held on a $750,000.00 bond. Gray is also charged with two counts each of First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault and an additional count of Attempted Second Degree Murder.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.

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