Monday, December 29, 2014

Burglary First Degree Suspect Arrested #PGSO

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff’s Warrant/ Fugitive Division reported the arrest of Devonte Patterson of Southeast Washington D.C. on an arrest warrant for Burglary First Degree that was obtained by the Bowie Police Department on November 14, 2014.

According to the warrant, on November 15th, a home was burglarized in the 13000 block of Idlewild Drive in Bowie MD.  The resident returned home from work to find that someone had broken into the home by kicking in the rear laundry door. Several items were stolen from the residence including two notebook computers, a 32 inch flat screen television, and a jewelry box with various pieces of jewelry inside. One of the computers had been sold to a local pawn shop where the original pawn ticket showed Patterson was paid $100.00 dollars for it. 

Upon receiving the warrant, the Deputies’ investigation determined that Patterson worked at a warehouse in Landover, MD. During the investigation, a deputy observed Patterson drive into the warehouse parking lot. The deputy along with members of the U.S. Marshal Task Force approached him and he was placed into custody. Patterson was transported to the Prince George’s County, MD Department of Corrections for processing.  

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


1st Degree Assault Suspect Arrested #PGSO

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff’s Warrant/ Fugitive Division reported the arrest of Elisabeth Mendoza of Hyattsville, MD on an arrest warrant for First Degree Assault that was obtained by the Riverdale Park Police Department on December 6, 2014.

According to the warrant, on November 29th, Mendoza assaulted a female victim in the 5400 block of Kenilworth Avenue in Riverdale, MD. Mendoza waited outside a restaurant for the victim to leave and then ran up behind her grabbing her by the hair and slamming her down head first to the ground, she then punched the victim in the face several times. The warrant further states that she began to kick the victim while still holding her hair as the officer pulled her away.

Upon receiving the warrant, the Deputies’ investigation determined that Mendoza worked at the restaurant where the incident took place. The deputies left their contact information with the resturant and on December 19th, Mendoza contacted the Deputies to make arrangements to meet where she was then taken into custody. Mendoza was taken to the Prince George’s County, MD Department of Corrections for processing.

Mendoza is also being charged with Second Degree Assault and Reckless Endangerment.

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


Friday, December 19, 2014

Alert; Sheriff Impersonator Phone Scam #PGSO

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s Communications and Public Relations Division has received several calls from victims of a telephone scam involving someone attempting to scam money while claiming to be a representative of the Sheriff’s Office.

The scammer provides victims personal information in order to seem legitimate while accusing victims of either missing jury duty or having an outstanding arrest warrant. The scammer urges victims to pay a fine in order to have the warrant removed from the Sheriff’s Office system, the victims are told to go to a local convenience store where they purchase a pre-paid card in various monetary amounts. The scammers use the law enforcement angle as a way to scare victims into giving them the money and avoid being arrested. 

Sheriff Melvin C. High is asking the media to advise citizens of these scams. The Sheriff’s Office does not make calls on behalf of the courts regarding jury duty, nor do we ask citizens for money. If anyone receives a call to contact the Prince Georges County Police at 301-772-4420 to file an incident report.


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

PGSO’s Positive D.A.Y. Cadets Bring Spirit of Christmas Joy to a Family. #PGSO



Upper Marlboro, MD… The Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff Positive Deputies Assisting Youth (D.A.Y.) Mentoring Program Cadets at Oxon Hill Middle School marched in formation into the school assembly, looking sharp in their cadet uniforms; everyone in attendance stopped to give the cadets their attention.

At this holiday event at Oxon Hill Middle School these cadets brought more than gifts to one family and brought tears of joy to many who attended.  The D.A.Y. Cadets were there to share the spirit of Christmas cheer with the Gaston family.  Led by their commander, Corporal Alaina Gay, the D.A.Y. Cadets presented the family with several gifts including two bicycles, an Apple IPad, and gift cards for dinner.

One of the lessons Corporal Gay has been teaching and discussing with the cadets is the importance of giving back to the community.  Cpl. Gay says she is extremely proud of how hard her cadets have worked and how well they are doing this year.

Principal Wendell Coleman took a moment with the cadets and told them how happy he was with the work they had been doing and how well they represented themselves and Oxon Hill Middle School.

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

                                                                              ###

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Suspect Arrested for Sexual Abuse of a Minor #PGSO

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff’s Warrant/ Fugitive Division reported the arrest of Efrain Hernandez-Guzman of Riverdale, MD on an arrest warrant for Sex Abuse of a Minor that was obtained by County Police on December 3, 2014.

According to the warrant, on August 18th, Hernandez-Guzman inappropriately touched a minor at a residence in Riverdale, MD. Hernandez-Guzman was known to the victim who reported the incident to an adult.

Upon receiving the warrant, Deputies’ investigating the warrant learned that Hernandez-Guzman frequented an apartment complex on Kenilworth Avenue in Riverdale, MD.  Deputies questioned individuals at the apartment complex and were able to locate the suspect in an apartment of a resident he knew. When deputies knocked on the door the resident let them in where they located Hernandez-Guzman. He was taken into custody and transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections in Hyattsville, MD.

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

                                                                              ###





Tuesday, December 16, 2014

1st Degree Assault Suspect Arrested


Upper Marlboro, MD… The Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff’s Warrant/ Fugitive Division reported the arrest of George Williams of Laurel, MD on an arrest warrant for First Degree Assault that was obtained by Baltimore City Police on November 21, 2014.

According to the warrant, on November 21st Williams was involved in an argument with a coworker that escalated to the point of Williams striking the coworker with a hammer several times, including in the head. The warrant states that another coworker grabbed Williams and knocked the hammer from his hand. Williams was able to break free from the coworker, whereupon he grabbed the hammer and fled. The warrant further states that the victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for wounds to his head and hands.

Upon receiving the warrant on December 9th, the Deputies’ investigation determined Williams’ whereabouts as an address on South Laurel Drive in Laurel MD.  When warrant deputies went to the location Williams opened the door and identified himself and was then taken into custody without incident.  He was transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections in Hyattsville, MD.

Williams is also charged with Second Degree Assault and Use of a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Injure.

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


Alert; Missed Jury Duty Scam asks Citizens for Money on a Greendot Card

Upper Marlboro, MD…Prince George’s County  Office of Communications and Public Relations said it has received information about a scam that involves a caller telling a citizen that she has missed a jury duty and asking that she go to a 7 Eleven to buy a pre-paid card in the amount of $500.

Sheriff Melvin C. High is asking the media to let the public know that no sworn or civilian member of the Sheriff’s Office makes calls to citizens about jury duty, nor do we ask citizens for money on a prepaid card for missing jury duty or any other reason.

According to the citizen who reported the incident, when he called the phone number 301-310-1985, the message on the answering was: “Yes, you have reached Captain Woods. Sorry I missed your call. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you at my earliest convenience.” 

Of the scam calls Sheriff High said, “We do not make these calls and I urge citizens who get a call like this to please notify us by calling 301-780-8600 but do not give the caller money or put money on a prepaid card for the caller.”

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


Monday, December 15, 2014

Robbery Suspect Arrested

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff’s Warrant/ Fugitive Division, along with the US Marshall Fugitive Task Force reported the arrest of Enrico Brown of Silver Springs, MD on an arrest warrant for Robbery that was obtained by Greenbelt Police on September 3, 2014.
According to the warrant, on September 2nd Brown was at the Hilton Garden Inn located in the 7800 block of Walker Drive in Greenbelt MD, where he was employed. A witness stated that upon returning to the front desk of the hotel Brown was observed on top of the counter taking money from the cash register. When Brown saw the witness he ran out the side door exit. The incident was captured by the surveillance camera and Brown was positively identified.
Upon receipt of the warrant, the Deputies’ investigation determined that Brown might  be staying in a hotel along Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring MD. Deputies canvassed multiple hotels in the area and saw Brown eating breakfast at a hotel on  Georgia Avenue. A Sheriff’s deputy and  members of the US Marshall Fugitive Task Force apprehended Brown without incident and transported him to the Hyattsville Regional Processing Unit. The Greenbelt Police Department was notified of the arrest.
For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.
                                                                              ###

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Sheriff High Takes Oath for Second Term

(Addresses Events in Recent Weeks)

Upper Marlboro, MD…Prince George’s County Sheriff Melvin C. High was sworn in last Thursday to officially begin his second term as the County’s elected Sheriff in an Investiture Ceremony at the Upper Marlboro Courthouse. The Sheriff took the oath of office with his wife Ms. Brenda High at his side and was also joined by his daughter Tracy who gave remarks. The Honorable Sheila R. Tillerson Adams presided and was joined on the bench by Judge Herman C. Dawson, Sr. and Judge Cathy H. Serrette of the Circuit Court.

County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III and County Council President Mel Franklin, each made remarks. The County Executive thanked the Sheriff for his service and partnership.  Council Chair Franklin made note of the agency’s progress and said he looked forward to seeing what’s next under the Sheriff’s leadership.

Looking to the next four years, Sheriff High said the agency would continue to build on the solid foundation that has been laid and spoke to several new goals and challenges that lay ahead in the next four years, including a safe and well-designed facility for the agency and CALEA Accreditation from the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies. He said transparency is an important factor in building trust and called Domestic Violence an issue of the times that demands to be addressed.

Sheriff High also referenced the events in Missouri and New York that have raised concerns among communities nationwide about the relationship between the community and law enforcement.

Sheriff High’s Investiture Ceremony Remarks:

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

                                                                              ###

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Attempted 1st Degree Murder Suspect Arrested in Stabbing/Robbery

Upper Marlboro, MD…The Prince George's County Office of the Sheriff’s Fugitive Apprehension & Surveillance Team (FAST) reported the arrest of Randy Huston of Riverdale, MD on an arrest warrant for Attempted First Degree Murder obtained by the Prince George’s County Police Department on October 1, 2014.

According to the warrant, on September 30, 2014, Huston asked another male for a ride home from a Brandywine, MD gas station. When they arrived, Huston produced a pocket knife and demanded that the driver hand over his wallet and phone. When the victim refused, Huston stabbed him six times in both arms, a leg and above his left eye.

A struggle ensued, causing both men to fall out of the vehicle. The victim was able to get back into the car and drive away. The warrant further states that a short time later, Maryland State Police stopped the victim for a traffic violation and noticed his injuries. The victim relayed the robbery attempt to Troopers who contacted the Prince George’s County Police Department. The victim was transported to a local hospital.

Upon receiving the warrant, FAST Deputies began an investigation and determined that Huston could be located at a residence in Charles County, MD. On December 5, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office located Huston in a parked vehicle outside of a residence in Charles County. When deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Huston sped away, refusing to stop his vehicle. He lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wooded area before fleeing into the woods. All attempts to locate Huston were unsuccessful.

On December 7, FAST Deputies, members of the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Intervention Division, and County Police located Huston at an address in the 5700 block of 64th Avenue in Riverdale, MD. With permission to search the residence, deputies located Huston hiding in a crawl space on the second level. The suspect came out of the crawl space and resisted arrest, but was eventually taken into custody. He was transported to Prince George’s County Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the car crash.  Huston was medically cleared and transported to the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections.

He is also charged with First and Second Degree Assault, Armed Robbery, Attempted Armed Carjacking and Robbery.

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