Crime and Fire Blotter

This activity report is a selection of local incidents provided by the Anne Arundel County police and fire departments as a public service to the community and compiled by Patch. It is not a complete listing of all events and crimes reported.

Aug. 15, 2011
Glen Burnie: Robbery arrest

Anne Arundel County Police officers announced the arrest of a man who they say is responsible for the .

According to a police press release, officers worked with the Prince George’s County Police Department regarding a similar incident that took place June 13, where they arrested Craig Steven Brooks, 49, of Washington, DC.

Police said Brooks was later identified as being involved in the May 3 robbery. Anne Arundel County charged Brooks with armed robbery, first-degree burglary, first- and second-degree assault, handgun and other charges.

A 48-year-old woman was robbed at her home in the 400 block of Bousch Place in Glen Burnie May 3 after a man posing as a utility worker knocked on her door and said he was checking for a possible gas leak.

Officers responded to the woman’s home at about 10:20 a.m. where they learned that once the suspect was inside, he robbed the homeowner at gunpoint. According to police, the suspect told the woman that he was familiar with her family and their business. Witnesses told police the man got into a dark gray Honda sedan, which was parked on a nearby street.

Brooklyn Park:

Two vehicles were stranded in about 18 inches of water on Belle Grove Road in Brooklyn Park Monday morning during a flash flood warning from the National Weather Service (NWS). The warning continues until 11 a.m.

Emergency responders rescued four adults and one child from two vehicles that got stuck just before 8 a.m. in the 4900 block of Belle Grove Road, according to Anne Arundel County Fire Department spokesman Capt. James Rostek.

The water flooded the roadway after heavy rain fell overnight and Monday morning.

Aug. 14, 2011
Brooklyn Park:

A Brooklyn Park man was arrested after a violent stabbing at his home early Sunday morning, according to a release from Anne Arundel County Police.

At 1:40 a.m., officers were called to the 400 block of Old Riverside Road in Brooklyn Park after a report that a woman was screaming for help. When police arrived, they found a 51-year-old man with multiple lacerations and stab wounds to his body and a 51-year-old woman who had sustained minor injuries.

The woman’s son, 25-year-old Jesse Edward Chapman of Brooklyn Park, allegedly came home intoxicated on an unidentified controlled substance and began choking and assaulting his mother. Chapman’s stepfather heard the commotion and attempted to break up the fight.

Chapman grabbed a knife from the kitchen and cut his stepfather on his wrists, shoulder and chest.

A female neighbor who also heard the noise and came over to try to help was also assaulted by Chapman, according to the report. Shortly thereafter, police arrived and took Chapman into custody.

"My understanding is that the female neighbor entered the residence in an attempt to intervene and was inappropriately touched and the suspect attempted to lock her in the room, but she was able to get away," said police spokesman Justin Mulcahy.

Chapman was charged with attempted second-degree murder, three assault charges, several charges of reckless endangerment, several charges of alcoholic or intoxicated endangerment, false imprisonment and a fourth-degree sexual assault charge.

Aug. 11, 2011
Forest Hill:

A 24-year-old Glen Burnie man died Thursday in Forest Hill when a branch he was cutting on a tree trapped him around 11 a.m.

Elmer Andres Galdamez of the 100 block of Governor's Court died after the incident in the 1700 block of Shanwick Court.

Monica Worrell, spokeswoman for the Harford County Sheriff's Office, confirmed that the man worked for ClearTree, which has offices in the 2200 block of Mountain Road in Joppa.

"The male was climbing the tree. He was located about 30 feet in the air when he cut a piece off which trapped him," Worrell said. "It’s an accident. There’s no evidence of foul play."

and Fallston Volunteer Fire Company vehicles were also on the scene.

The is investigating the incident as an "industrial accident." Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials also arrived on the scene around noon.

Aug. 9, 2011
Glen Burnie:

Charges are pending against a Glen Burnie woman who police say stabbed the man she lived with and he later died from his injuries.

Phyllis Marie Amonica, 38, was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree murder after a domestic dispute led to the death of James Gray Pfaff Jr., 47.

According to a police press release, officers were called to the unit block of 5th Avenue, near the intersection of Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard in Ferndale, at about 9:30 p.m. for a reported domestic dispute.

Once on the scene, officers found Pfaff suffering from an apparent stab wound to his upper torso. They also found Amonica suffering from minor cuts, police said. Both were taken to the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where Pfaff later died from his injuries.

After preliminary investigation, police said Pfaff and Amonica were arguing behind the home where they lived together and the argument escalated and became physical. Police said that at some point they both entered the home and Amonica stabbed Pfaff.

Police said they do not know if Amonica's injuries were defensive or self inflicted, but the incident is being investigated as a domestic incident. 

Aug. 4, 2011
Glen Burnie: Drug arrests

Police arrested two Glen Burnie men Aug. 4 in connection with drug activity taking place in an apartment in the 500 block of Greenway Avenue, police said.

Officers arrested Theodore E. Rutherford, 22, and Kevin Charles Burdette, 24, and charged both men with manufacturing marijuana and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

According to a police press release, officers responded to the Greenway Avenue apartment at about 10:45 a.m. for a complaint of drug activity. Once on the scene, officers said they saw marijuana plants in plain view. Detectives then obtained a search warrant and seized 11 marijuana plants, 1.72 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Incidents Still Under Investigation

Aug. 13, 2011
Glen Burnie: Armed robbery

A man robbed Crain Video in Glen Burnie Saturday, police said.

According to a police press release, officers responded to the Crain Video located in the 800 block of Crain Highway for a reported robbery. Police spoke with an employee at Big City Tobacco Outlet—located inside the video store—who said a man entered the store and asked to purchase a carton of cigarettes.

As the employee opened the register, the man pulled a handgun and demanded money. The employee complied and gave the man an undisclosed amount of money. The man ran out the rear side door.

Several officers, a K-9 unit and the aviation unit searched the area but were unable to locate the man, police said.

Aug. 12, 2011
Glen Burnie: Armed robbery

A man robbed a Glen Burnie 7-Eleven Friday, police said.

According to a police press release, officers responded to the 7-Eleven store in the 7100 block of Ritchie Highway shortly before 1 a.m. Friday. Once on the scene, officers spoke with store clerks who said a man armed with a handgun and a white grocery bag entered the store and demanded money.  The clerks said they complied and gave the man an undisclosed amount of money. The man then ran toward Crain Highway.

Officers and a K-9 unit searched the area but were unable to find the man.

Aug. 11, 2011
Brooklyn Park: Robbery

Two teens stole a bicycle from another man in Brooklyn Park Thursday afternoon, police said.

According to a police press release, officers responded to Kramme Avenue near Hillside Terrace in Brooklyn Park at about 3:15 p.m. for a reported theft. Once on the scene, officers spoke with two men and other witnesses who said the victims were riding bicycles from Alley 69 to Kramme Avenue when two teenage boys approached them.

One teen asked the a victim to ride his bicycle, but the victim refused. Officers said the teen brandished a pole and threw the victim from his bike. The teen then got on the bike and rode from the area on Doris Avenue heading toward Baltimore City while the other teen ran in the same direction.

Metro Crime Stoppers: If you have information on the above incidents, please call, email or text your tip to Metro Crime Stoppers. A hotline is available 24 hours a day toll-free at 866-7LOCKUP or text "MCS" plus your message to CRIMES (274637).

Phone calls are not recorded and callers remain anonymous. You may also be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Regional Editor Stephanie Siegel Burke, Bowie Patch Editor Josh Flynn and Bel Air Patch Editor Brad Gerick contributed to this article.