Harford Recognized As “StormReady” County

(Bel Air, MD - January 5, 2009) - - Harford County Division of Emergency Operations has been recognized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service as “StormReady”. The renewal of this recognition is valid from 2008 through 2011.

Harford County was the first county in Maryland to enroll in the program back in 2002. The “StormReady” designation means Harford County meets all of the communications, safety and preparedness requirements necessary to help citizens within the county receive weather warning and respond appropriately to weather events.

Harford is now one of 12 counties in the state enrolled in the program.

The announcement of Harford County’s renewed status of “StormReady” was made at the Division of Emergency Operations in Hickory.

“This continued recognition clearly shows your dedication to providing the citizens and visitors of Harford County with the best possible emergency management preparedness, National Weather Service Meteorologist in Charge James E. Lee stated. “The citizens of Harford County are well served by these capabilities and your efforts to constantly improve them,” Lee remarked.

During the brief presentation, Lee commended Harford County Emergency Manager Rick Ayers, who he called “a driving force in maintaining community preparedness for the varied weather hazards that can strike Harford County.”

Commenting on the special recognition the county’s EOC achieved, County Executive David R. Craig stated, “We are honored to receive this coveted recognition by the National Weather Service. The dedication, commitment and service of our emergency management team, dispatchers and managers are second to none as they provide quality service to the citizens of our county 365 days a year.”

Joining County Executive Craig at the recognition event were Director of Administration Lorraine Costello, Ernie Crist, Manager of the Emergency Operations Center, Larry Mabe, Deputy Manager, of the Emergency Operations Center and Rick Ayers, Emergency Manager for Harford County.

Deputies Investigate Edgewood Shooting

(Edgewood, MD – December 31, 2008) – Harford County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the shooting of a 19 year old man which occurred Tuesday, December 30, 2008.

At approximately 8:05 pm deputies responded to the 600 block of Meadowood Drive Edgewood, MD in reference to a shooting. Harford County Sheriff’s deputies determined Lamere Shavase Walton, 19, of the 600 block of Meadowood Drive Edgewood, MD was walking along Meadowood Drive when an unknown black male began shooting at him, striking him several times in his upper body.

The shooter is described as a light skin black male, 5’06” to 5’08”, 150-180lbs, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.

Walton was treated at the scene by members of the Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department and transported by Maryland State Police Medivac to Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 410-836-5442.

Additionally Harford County Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the shooting. To be eligible for the reward, tipsters must call the 24-hour tip-line at 1-888-540-TIPS. Callers do not have to give their name nor appear in court. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Suspect Arrested For Armed Carjacking In Edgewood

(Edgewood, MD – December 31, 2008) – Harford County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested one suspect in connection with an armed carjacking which occurred on December 30, 2008.

At approximately 11:05 p.m. deputies responded to the 2000 block of Starr Street, Edgewood, MD in reference to an armed robbery and carjacking.

Harford County Sheriff’s deputies determined the male victim, 25, exited his vehicle and was walking to his residence when he was approached by a black male wearing agreen jacket and black pants. The male subject produced a knife and demanded the victim’s keys, wallet, and cell phone.

After the victim complied with these demands the suspect drove away in the victim’s 2004 Grey Chevy Aveo. The victim was not harmed during the robbery.

On December 31, 2008 at approximately 12:30 a.m., a Sheriff’s deputy on routine patrol located the victim’s vehicle in the parking lot of the Walgreen’s in the 3000 block of Emmorton Road, Abingdon, MD. The deputy watched as the driver, matching the suspect description, exited the vehicle and entered the store.

The suspect, identified as Michael Lamar Nelson, was apprehended without incident. Nelson was in possession of the stolen property and keys to the vehicle.

Michael Lamar Nelson, 17, of the 300 block of 25thS treet, Wilmington, Delaware, has been charged as an adult with carjacking, robbery, assault 2nd degree, false statement to a police officer, armed carjacking, and theft over $500.00.

Nelson was transported to the Detention Center for processing where he is being held on $5,000,000.00 bond. He is scheduled for a bond review on December 31, 2008.

Police And FBI Investigate Monday Morning Armed Robbery Of Aberdeen Bank

(Aberdeen, Maryland) December 29, 2008- Police are investigating a robbery that occurred at about 10:45 AM this morning at the Bank of America located in the 100 block of W. Bel Air Ave.

A white male entered the bank and passed a note to a teller announcing the robbery. The suspect implied he was armed. The suspect left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect is described as a stocky white male 40-50 years of age wearing brown jacket, glasses and a beanie type hat.

The suspect may have been operating a green or dark colored vehicle at the time of the robbery. No one was injured in the incident. The FBI is assisting in the investigation.

Anyone with information pertaining to the robbery is asked to call the Criminal Investigation Section of the Aberdeen Police Department at 410-272-2121.

For information regarding this incident please contact Sgt. Frederick Budnick, Media Relations, Aberdeen Police Department at 410-272-2121 ext 121.

Christmas Eve Shooting Suspect Arrested In Edgewood

(Harford County, MD – December 27, 2008) – Harford County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested Benjamin Melvin Freeman, 23, of the 3000 block of Sounding Drive, Edgewood, MD in connection with the shooting of Richard Donald Wagner, 33, in the area of Flying Point Road and Willoughby Beach Road, Edgewood, MD.

With information obtained from the victim, detectives identified one of the suspects as “Dutch” who is also known as Benjamin Melvin Freeman. Deputies determined that Wagner had contacted Freeman on December 24 to purchase $50 worth of heroin. They both met, along with a third person, later that day in the area of West Spring Meadow Court with Wagner driving his black Chevy Cavalier.

They then drove to the area of Flying Point Road and Willoughby Beach Road where they stopped to relieve themselves in the woods. As they were walking back to the vehicle Freeman displayed a black handgun revolver and robbed Wagner of the cash he was carrying to purchase the drugs.

Freeman than shot Wagner as Wagner was attempting to run away. Wagner collapsed along side of the road and saw his vehicle being driven away by Freeman. Detectives were able to corroborate Wagner’s statement with the third person and eventually located Freeman late in the evening of December 26, 2008.

Freeman confessed to robbing and shooting Wagner and was subsequently arrested by detectives. Benjamin Melvin Freeman has been charged with attempted 1st degree murder, attempted 2nd degree murder, assault-1st degree, armed robbery, carjacking, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, 2nd degree assault, reckless endangerment, theft less than $500.00, and using a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence.

Freeman is being held at the Harford County Detention Center without bond. A bond review is scheduled for Monday, December 29, 2008.

Christmas Eve Shooting And Carjacking In Edgewood Sends Man To Shock Trauma

(Harford County, MD – December 25, 2008) – Harford County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the shooting of a 33 year old man which occurred Wednesday, December 24, 2008.

At approximately 8:50 pm deputies responded to the area of Flying Point Road and Willoughby Beach Road, Edgewood, MD in reference to a shooting.

Harford County Sheriff’s deputies determined Richard Donald Wagner, 33, of the 3300 block of Abingdon Road, Abingdon, MD was driving along Willoughby Beach Road when he encountered two black males. After a short conversation, one of the black males produced a handgun and shot Wagner multiple times, striking him in the lower abdomen and arms. The two black males then stole the victim’s 1997 black Chevy Cavalier which was not displaying any registration.

Wagner was treated at the scene by members of the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department and transported by Maryland State Police Medivac to Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 410-836-5442.

Additionally Harford County Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the shooting. To be eligible for the reward, tipsters must call the 24-hour tip-line at 1-888-540-TIPS. Callers do not have to give their name nor appear in court. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Harford Sheriff’s Deputy Shot During Police Drug Raid In Cecil County

(Conowingo, MD) – A sheriff’s deputy and a suspect were both shot during an exchange of gunfire that occurred as a drug task force was serving a search warrant at a Cecil County home early this morning.

The suspect is identified as James W. Ratledge, 60, of the 300-block of Old Conowingo Road, Conowingo, Md. He is currently under police guard while being treated at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Charges against him are pending and will be filed after consultation with the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Just before 5:00 a.m. today, members of the Cecil County Drug Task Force and a uniformed state trooper and a uniformed Cecil County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to serve a court authorized search and seizure warrant at the single-family home of the suspect. The search warrant had been obtained as part of a drug investigation that was initiated after several leads were received indicating the suspect was involved in the distribution of cocaine in the area.

When police entered the residence, they immediately announced their presence and identified themselves. A man on the first floor of the residence was taken into custody without incident.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect looked out his bedroom door which opens onto an upstairs loft and saw the police officers before closing his door and refusing to surrender.

Three police officers, including a Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputy and a state trooper from the task force went up onto the loft and attempted to enter the closed bedroom door, which the suspect was trying to keep closed from the inside. The suspect fired a handgun through the wall beside the bedroom door, striking the Harford County deputy.

In fear for their lives and the lives of the other police officers, the task force trooper and a task force officer from the Elkton Police Department returned fire, striking the suspect in the torso. Initially, the suspect refused to come out of his bedroom, but after about ten minutes of urging by the officers, he came out and surrendered.

Ratledge was flown by State Police medevac helicopter to Shock Trauma. The deputy was transported by ambulance to an area hospital. Both are said to have sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Police secured the scene of the shooting and Maryland State Police criminal investigators obtained a second search warrant for the residence in order to continue the investigation into the police involved shooting. After police process the shooting scene pursuant to the warrant, the original drug search warrant will be served at the residence. Another drug task force team was called in to execute the drug search warrant.

The search of the crime scene is continuing. No information is available at this time concerning any weapons, drugs or other contraband that has been recovered.

The Maryland State Police trooper who fired at the suspect will not be identified for safety reasons, due to his undercover duties. He has been with the Maryland State Police for ten years and was a police officer prior to joining this Department.

The Cecil County Drug Task Force is comprised of the Maryland State Police, Cecil County Sheriff’s Office and the Elkton Police Department. Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were assisting with the service of the search warrant today.

The investigation is continuing.

Here is the Harford County Sheriff’s Office press release:

Deputy Sheriff Shot

(Harford County, MD – December 19, 2008) – A Harford County Sheriff’s deputy was shot early this morning while assisting the Cecil County Narcotics Task force.

At approximately 5:00 am this morning, three Harford County Sheriff’s deputies were assisting the Cecil County Narcotics Task Force serving a warrant in the 300 block of Old Conowingo Road, Conowingo, Cecil County, MD. The three assisting deputies are assigned to the Harford County Joint Narcotics Task Force.

While in the residence officers encountered the owner, James William Ratledge, 60, who fired a handgun once at the officers striking a Harford County Sheriff’s deputy, in the upper left area of his chest. The deputy, an eight year veteran, was wearing his bullet resistant vest and suffered non-life threatening injuries. The deputy was transported to Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre De Grace, Harford County, MD for observation and was released shortly thereafter. The Maryland State Police are investigating the incident.

Further questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the Public Information Office of the Maryland State Police.

Suspicous Activity At Abingdon Convenience Store Leads To Armed Robbery Arrests

(Abingdon, Maryland) - Early this morning, troopers from the Bel Air Barrack apprehended two suspects involved in an armed robbery of a convenience store in Harford County.

The suspects are identified as Charles E. Brown, 20, of Hatfield Court in Abingdon, Maryland and Damion T. Cook, 22, of the unit block of East Lake Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland.

At about 1:00 a.m. this morning, a state trooper from the Bel Air barrack, on routine patrol, observed a man standing alone outside the front door of a 7-11 convenience store on Philadelphia Road in Abingdon, Maryland. Recognizing the suspicious behavior, the trooper quickly relocated his marked patrol vehicle to a concealed location in order to conduct surveillance on the establishment. He also began calling for more assistance to respond in case the store was being robbed.

While waiting for police assistance, two suspects ran out of the store carrying an undisclosed amount of currency and property. The trooper on the scene quickly managed to single-handedly apprehend one of the suspects.

The second suspect attempted to flee, but was apprehended within a perimeter which had been quickly established by a team of law enforcement personnel from the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barrack, Maryland State Police Aviation, Maryland State Police K-9, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. One of the suspects was in possession of a pellet rifle which was located in his waistband at the time of apprehension.

Both suspects are at the Bel Air Barrack awaiting transport to the Harford County Detention Center. A third suspect is believed to have been assisting the robbers in a “look-out” capacity at a business parking-lot across the street from the convenient store.

This investigation continues.

County Executive Craig Tours Fire Stations

(Bel Air, MD – December 10, 2008) - - Harford County Executive David R. Craig has wrapped up his visits with the leaders of the county’s volunteer fire service and tours of fire stations throughout the county. The county executive began his annual visit to the county’s fire stations in late November and completed his visits last week.

“It was a distinct honor and pleasure to visit with the leadership of our volunteer fire service these past few weeks,” County Executive Craig stated. “I am impressed at the overall excellent condition of our fire stations, as well as the apparatus and equipment which serves and protects the citizens of Harford County,” Craig remarked.

County Executive Craig began his annual pilgrimage to the local fire companies throughout Harford County in the fall of 2005 and has done so each year.

During his informal meeting with the chief officer and other fire company officials, the county executive asks for input and recommendations from them with respect to assistance the county might provide to local volunteers. Recommendations received by the county executive include improving the Computer Aided Dispatch at the Emergency Operations Center, capital projects related to each fire company, improving fire and EMS data collection and analysis and volunteer recruitment and retention among others.

Beginning with the FY 07 budget, County Executive Craig and the Harford County Council, included $750,000 in funds to support capital projects for the volunteer fire service.

Capital funding provided by Harford County Government has supported the fire service with replacement of breathing apparatus, turnout gear, heating and air conditioning projects and replacement of driveways and ramps to mention a few.

Early next year, Harford County Government in cooperation with the Harford County volunteer fire and EMS service, is commissioning a comprehensive study of the fire service to determine the long-term needs of the fire service. The study will examine all aspect of the Harford County fire service and will provide the county executive, county council and fire service leaders recommendations for the future of the system.

“Harford County is blessed to have such a dedicated, well trained and committed fire and EMS service,” County Executive Craig stated. “Our fire service is recognized as one of the best in the state and we want to do all we can to support those who serve our community with selfless devotion,” Craig stated.

Anthrax Scare in Bel Air As Threats And White Substance Are Mailed To Harford Judges

The Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team was called to the Harford County Circuit Court House in Bel Air on Friday after a pair of judges received threatening letters containing a white substance.

The letters, which the Harford County Sheriff’s Office said contained threats to harm the President, were mailed to Judges William Carr and Steve Waldron. One of Judge Carr’s staff members opened the letter and found it contained a white substance. Neither letter threatend the local judges directly.

The HazMat crew was able to preliminarily determine the substance to be sugar and investigators have learned the suspected letter-mailer is an inmate at Department of Corrections facility in Hagerstown.

The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending. No one was injured in the incident.

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