Laurel Crime: Driver Throws Cocaine Out Window, Arrests Made at DUI Checkpoint

The following is a rundown of reported crimes and police responses in the City of Laurel from March 10-16, 2013. Incident details are provided by the Laurel Police Department. Arrests do not necessarily indicate convictions.

Sunday, March 10
Calls for Service: 153

FIREARM VIOLATIONS, 1-BLK Post Office Avenue, 10:22 PM: Officers responded for a reported sound of gunfire. A witness observed a male shoot a shotgun in the street and leave in a van. Officers later located the vehicle and found the suspect inside. An 18-year-old suspect was arrested for discharging the shotgun. The shotgun was recovered and secured by police.

Monday, March 11
Calls for Service: 111

SHOPLIFTING ARREST, 14100-BLK Baltimore Avenue, 1:25 PM: Employees of the Best Buy store observed a male suspect attempting to steal a laptop computer from the store. A 48-year-old man was arrested and charged with the theft. 

ARSON, 500-BLK Eighth Street, 4:20 PM: Officers received a call that the playground at Emancipation Community Park was on fire. Officers arrived to find the playground completely engulfed in flames. Fire Department personnel were able to extinguish the fire, however the damage to the playground is significant. PGFD Arson Investigators responded to the scene. The City of Laurel is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. 

SHOPLIFTING ARREST, 13600-BLK Baltimore Avenue, 6:07 PM: Security employees of the Shopper’s Food Warehouse observed a female suspect push a cart full of grocery items out of the store without paying. A 29-year-old woman was arrested for theft under $1000. 

DRUG ARRESTS, 900-BLK Washington Boulevard, 1:18 AM: An Officer made a traffic stop on a vehicle with a suspended registration. 146 grams of marijuana, with a street value of about $1500, were recovered from the vehicle. Drug paraphernalia was located on the occupants as well. Four occupants from ages 20 to 24 were arrested.

Tuesday, March 12
Calls for Service: 208

DOMESTIC ARREST, 200-BLK Fort Meade Road, 11:44 AM: A male victim came to the police station to report being assaulted with a bottle by his girlfriend. Officers responded to the home and found the suspect. A 32-year-old woman was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Assault. 

WARRANT ARREST, 15100-BLK Baltimore Avenue, 11:57 AM: An Officer found two suspects consuming alcohol in public. One of the suspects, 38 years old, had an open warrant through Howard County, and another one through Prince George’s County, and was arrested. A 46-year-old suspect was also issued a criminal citation. 

DRUG ARREST, 200-BLK Gorman Avenue, 8:02 PM: An Officer made a traffic stop and subsequently found marijuana in the vehicle. The 27-year-old driver was arrested. 

DRUG ARREST, 14100-BLK Baltimore Avenue, 8:39 PM: An Officer attempted to stop a vehicle that had a suspended registration. The vehicle began to flee and the driver threw items out of the window. Multiple bags of cocaine and marijuana were recovered from the roadway. Officers pursued the vehicle before the driver got out of the vehicle and ran on foot. Officers pursued and apprehended the suspect in the 11600-BLK of South Laurel Drive. A 22-year old woman was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute, additional drug charges, and multiple traffic offenses.

Wednesday, March 13
Calls for service: 178

DRUG ARREST: 1000-BLK Harrison Drive, 10:34 AM: Officers responded to Discovery Park for a juvenile complaint. Officers observed three juveniles sitting in the park. After contacting the juveniles, officers recovered marijuana and all three subjects were arrested.

FRAUD ARREST: 210 Fort Meade Road, 8:27 PM: Officers responded to Home Depot for the report of a subject—later identified as a 32-year-old Laurel resident—attempting to return merchandise using Maryland driver’s licenses which were issued to other individuals. Store employees contacted the Laurel Police Department and Alexander was arrested. 

DOMESTIC ASSAULT ARREST: 600-BLK Montgomery Street, 12:24 AM: Officers responded for the report of an assault. The victim stated her boyfriend, 21, attempted to strangle her. The suspect was located walking down the street away from the residence and arrested.

Friday, March 15
Calls for service: 134

BURGLARY ARRESTS, 8100-Blk Londonderry Ct, 12:53 PM: Officers responded for the report of a burglary in progress. Officers arrived and arrested 5 juveniles. They were all charged with attempted burglary.

ARREST, 41 B St, 4:49 PM: Officers responded to this address for a domestic disturbance. Officers encountered a subject yelling loudly. A 63-year-old man was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

DUI ARREST, 300-Blk Marshall Ave: Officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle. The 38-year-old driver was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

Saturday, March 16
Calls for service: 201

SHOPLIFTING ARREST, 341 Montrose Ave (Marshalls), 12:11 PM: Officers responded to the business for the report of shoplifting. As a result, 3 juveniles were arrested.

SHOPLIFTING/DRUG ARREST, 14700 Baltimore Ave (Burlington Coat Factory), 5:18 PM: Officers responded to the business for the report of a shoplifting. Officers made contact with the 24-year-old suspect. He was arrested for the shoplifting, and officers located narcotics. He was charged with possession of controlled dangerous substance not marijuana and shoplifting.

DUI CHECKPOINT, 100-Blk Second St, 2300-0130 Hours: Officers of the Laurel Police Department conducted a Field Sobriety Checkpoint. 508 vehicles passed through the checkpoint and literature raising public awareness of drunk driving was distributed. As a result there were 2 arrests. One arrested was charged with DUI and the other was charged with possession of marijuana.

DRUG ARREST, 15000-Blk Baltimore Ave, 1:36 AM: Officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle. Officers located drug paraphernalia and as a result, a 21-year-old suspect was arrested.