Calvert County Sheriff's Office

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

* SHERIFF'S OFFICE CASE OF THE WEEK *

Destruction of Property to Vehicles Cases #15-4605, 4661, 4703, 4831, 4893, 4895, 4897 and 4901:

Several deputies received reports from victims in Lusby that between January 22 and January 25, one or more tires were punctured on one or more of their vehicles while parked in their driveways. This wave of vandalism began with a report to DFC J. Denton from a victim in the 500 block of Balsom Road. Three other incidents occurred on Skyview Drive, one on Poplar Road and three more on White Sands Drive. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 410-535-2800.

CALVERT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REMEMBERS LT. WILLIAM (BILL) SOPER

On January 26, 2015 funeral services were held for Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Lt. William “Bill” Soper. In excess of 300 family, friends and agency personnel attended the funeral services which were held at Grace Brethren Church in Owings. An escort involving numerous allied police agencies, volunteer fire and EMS and a motorcade lead Lt. Soper to his final resting place in Miranda Cemetery in Huntingtown.

Lieutenant William “Bill” Soper was born on October 1, 1957 in the Panama Canal Zone where his father was stationed in the Air Force at the time. Bill was raised in Montgomery County, Maryland and graduated from Thomas S. Wootton High School in 1975. After graduation he attended Montgomery College where he obtained an Associates of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. Lt. Soper then went to the University of Maryland and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology in 1980.

In 1980, Bill landed a job at the University Park Police Department as a Police Officer while still attending the University of Maryland. In 1983, he transferred to the Rockville City Police Department. During Bill’s tenure at the Rockville City Police Department he was not only assigned to the patrol bureau, but spent over three years in narcotics assigned to a task force working with U.S. Park Police in Washington DC. In 1984, Lt. Soper was nominated for Police Officer of the Year by the Rockville Chamber of Commerce.

In 1988, Lt. Soper was hired by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. He worked in patrol for one year and was transferred to the Southern Maryland Narcotics Task Force where he worked for 3 years. After leaving the Task Force, Lt. Soper worked in the Criminal Investigation Unit for 9 years and in 1993 he was promoted to Sergeant. In 2001, he was transferred to the Internal Affairs Unit.

On June 27, 2005, he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and transferred to hold the position of Assistant Commander of the Administrative and Judicial Services Bureau. In July 2013, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and became the Commander of the Administrative and Judicial Services Bureau, where he remained until his death. Lt. Soper was a Polygraph Examiner for over 20 years and was currently managing the Bike Patrol Team and Conflict Management Team. While at the Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Soper received numerous awards including Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and Detective of the Year.

Lieutenant Soper was married to his beloved wife Molly for over 20 years. He is survived by a son, Trevor, a step-daughter, Lauren and grandson, Carter, all of Huntingtown and a daughter, Christi Milam in Texas. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed running, motorcycle riding, water sports, snow skiing, and spending time with his family. He was a leader and mentor for a Boy Scout troop in Huntingtown for many years. In 2003 he completed his first marathon and was proud to receive the Marine Corps Marathon Medal.

Lt. Soper’s grandfather was a Montgomery County Police Officer for 36 years and retired as a Sergeant. Lt. Soper was proud to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and serve in the Law Enforcement community for 35 years. He will be greatly missed by his friends and colleagues at the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office.

Monday, January 26, 2015

CRIME SOLVERS CASE - COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE NEEDED

CALVERT COUNTY CRIME SOLVERS

Calvert County Crime Solvers and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the person or persons responsible for a recent rash of slashing or puncturing of vehicle tires. Several deputies received reports from victims in Lusby that between January 22 and January 25, one or more tires were punctured on one or more of their vehicles while parked in their driveways. This wave of vandalism began with a report to DFC J. Denton from a victim in the 500 block of Balsom Road. Three other incidents occurred on Skyview Drive, one on Poplar Road and three more on White Sands Drive. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 410-535-2800.

Citizens with information on these crimes or any criminal activity in Calvert County who wish to report it anonymously can now access the Calvert County Crime Solvers link through the Sheriff’s Office website.

Go to http://www.co.cal.md.us/residents/safety/law/sheriff/ and click on the Crime Solvers link to leave an anonymous tip on-line. Information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect could result in a $1,000 reward. You can also contact the Sheriff’s Office at 410-535-2800 to leave information.

PRESS RELEASES FOR JANUARY 26TH, 2015

During the week of January 19 through January 25 deputies of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1,377 calls for service throughout the community.

Citizens with information on the following crimes or any criminal activity in Calvert County who wish to report it anonymously can now access the Calvert County Crime Solvers link through the Sheriff’s Office website.

CDS Violation Case #15-3864:

On January 20 at 11:07 a.m. Dep. S. Rediker conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Md. Rt. 4 and Fowler Road in Owings. He found both the driver, Robert Edward Masincupp, Sr., 32, and single passenger, William Michael Bowen, 29, both of Chesapeake Beach, to be in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Masincupp was charged with possession of Heroin and drug paraphernalia; a metal spoon and a hypodermic syringe, and carrying a concealed dangerous weapon; a collapsible baton. Bowen was charged with the same drug offenses.

Robert Edward Masincupp, Sr., 32, of Chesapeake Beach

William Michael Bowen, 29, of Chesapeake Beach

Attempted Burglary Case #15-4139:

DFC M. Velasquez is investigating an attempted burglary at a home in the 600 block of Lisa Lane in Lusby. The homeowner reported that on January 17 sometime between 3:00 a.m. and noon someone tried to remove a window screen but did not gain entry into the home.

CDS Violation Case #15-4354:

On January 22 at 4:30 p.m. Dep. J. Buck was assisting two other deputies at the Prince Frederick Library while they attempted to serve a warrant on David Edward Wilson, 21, of Chesapeake Beach, who was inside the library. Wilson fled the library by way of a side door. Dep. Buck pursued him and he was apprehended near Nick’s supermarket. He was served with the outstanding warrant. A search incident to arrest revealed two used hypodermic needles. Wilson has been charged with possession of and intent to use drug paraphernalia; a hypodermic needle, failure to obey a lawful order, resisting arrest and disorderly.

David Edward Wilson, 21, of Chesapeake Beach

Destruction of Property to Vehicles Cases #15-4605, 4661, 4703, 4831, 4893, 4895, 4897 and 4901:

Destruction of Property Case #15-4881:

A victim in the 300 block of White Sands Drive in Lusby reported to DFC Y. Bortchevsky that a No Trespassing sign from her fence had been removed and found in a neighbor’s yard. It appeared to have puncture marks in it. The damage occurred during the same timeframe as the vandalism to vehicle tires in the same area.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

PRESS RELEASE FOR FLEEING VEHICLE

On January 18 at approximately 11:45 p.m., Cpl. A. Moschetto attempted to stop a vehicle traveling southbound on Route 4 in the area of Calvert Cliff’s State Park at a high rate of speed. Upon catching up to the vehicle which was traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, it was determined by Cpl. Moschetto that the vehicle was not going to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The violator vehicle was all over the road, passed several vehicles on the shoulder and the operator was believed to be impaired. The pursuit continued into St Mary’s County where the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office took primary on the pursuit in the area of Patuxent Boulevard. The violator then lost control of the vehicle and struck an embankment which caused the vehicle to overturn coming to rest on its roof. The operator of the vehicle was not belted and was entrapped under the dash. EMS personnel extricated the subject from the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 27 year old George Alfred Nocks 3rd of Riverdale, Maryland. Nocks had outstanding warrants through the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for driving on a suspended license as well as fleeing and eluding. Nocks was seriously injured during the collision and was flown to the PG Shock Trauma Center to be treated for his injuries. Nock is listed in serious condition at this time.

Cpl. Moschetto will be charging the subject with DUI and fleeing and eluding.

The St Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is handling the accident investigation and reconstruction.

All of the police officers involved in the pursuit are safe and no police vehicles were damaged during the pursuit.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE CASE OF THE WEEK

Burglary Case #15-2276:

Unknown suspect(s) broke into a shed near a home in the 700 block of Hickok Trail in Lusby sometime between January 11 and 12. A 1994 Honda CR250, which is white and pink with a pink seat, valued at $1,500 and a 2001 Honda CR which is red, white and black with gray duct tape on the air box and valued at $1,700 were both stolen. DFC M. Velasquez is investigating.

If you have any information, please call the Sheriff's Office at 410-535-2800 or call Crime Solvers anonymously at 410-535-2880.

PRESS RELEASES FOR JANUARY 19TH, 2015

During the week of January 12 through January 18 deputies of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1,341 calls for service throughout the community.

Burglary Case #15-2276:

Theft from Vehicle Case #15-2329:

Someone smashed the front passenger window on a vehicle parked behind Jerry’s Subs in Dunkirk on January 12 between 10:00 a.m. and noon. A black and silver iPad2 that was in a black and green case was stolen. Dep. J. Buck is investigating.

Theft from Vehicle Case #15-2448, 2452 and 2516:

Three unlocked vehicles were entered overnight between January 12 and 13 in the 12000 block of Spring Cove Drive in Lusby. A Garmin GPS, binoculars, mechanics gloves and sunglasses were stolen out of one vehicle, a pool cue was taken and then located a short distance away from a second vehicle, and some money and a cell phone charger were taken from inside the third vehicle. Det. R. Hawkins is handling the investigation of these cases.

Theft from Vehicle Case #15-2534:

A victim reported to DFC G. Gott that sometime between January 8 and 11, someone stole towing equipment off the back of his work truck while it was parked outside his home in the 11500 block of Durango Drive in Lusby. The tools are valued at over $1,900. The investigation continues.

Theft Case #15-2555:

A three-ton Amana heat pump was stolen from the outside rear of a home in the 700 block of Skyview Drive in Lusby. The theft was discovered on January 13. The heat pump is valued at $6,000. DFC J. Migliaccio is investigating.

CDS Violation Case #15-2822:

On January 15 at 9:42 a.m. Dep. S. Rediker responded to a call for a reckless driver traveling northbound on Md. Rt. 4 near Ward Road in Dunkirk. He located the suspect vehicle passing Lyons Creek Road. The vehicle made a sudden lane change causing another vehicle to swerve onto the shoulder of the roadway to avoid a collision. Rediker attempted a traffic stop but the vehicle continued and began accelerating and weaving in and out of traffic. The vehicle continued to flee until reaching Anne Arundel County on Md. Rt. 4 at Fishers Station Road. The suspect pulled off the road, stopped the vehicle and then opened and closed the driver door. DFC R. Cress and Dep. Rediker exited their police vehicle and approached the suspect vehicle with agency firearms drawn and ordered the suspect to slowly remove himself from the vehicle, which he did. He was identified as James William Gearhart, Jr., 48, of North Beach. Gearhart was arrested and charged with fleeing and eluding, driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance, speeding and possession of a schedule IV drug; Alprazolam.

James William Gearhart, Jr., 48, of North Beach

Destruction of Property Case #15-2838:

Someone attempted to break into the coin machine at the Solomons Car Wash on HG Trueman Road in Solomons sometime between January 13 and 15. About $80 in damage was done. Dep. S. Moran is investigating.