Police briefs
Waldorf residence suffers fire damage
The Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department, Westlake station, dispatched six firefighters to 10329 Saltbush Court on Saturday in response to an accidental garage fire at 6:30 p.m.
According to a press release by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the two-story, single-family dwelling suffered an estimated $75,000 to structure damage and lost $25,000 worth of contents. The fire was discovered by an automatic fire alarm in the garage and was out upon arrival of the fire department. The accidental fire was caused by an electrical failure of an extension cord.
The garage was not protected by a sprinkler system, however, the fire burned through an interior wall into a small bathroom, which was protected by a sprinkler system. The sprinkler in the bathroom activated and extinguished the fire, according to the press release.
No injuries were reported as result of the fire.
Juveniles allegedly set utility pole on fire
The Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department dispatched 10 firefighters to the area of 12140 Vivian Adams Drive on Sunday in response to a SMECO utility pole being set on fire at approximately 6:42 p.m.
According to a press release by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the fire occurred as a result of four unidentified juveniles igniting the base of the utility pole and the surrounding ground cover. The fire was discovered by a passerby and was controlled within two minutes by the Waldorf VFD upon arrival.
The owner, SMECO, suffered an estimated $100 worth of structure loss.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Southern Regional Office, at 443550-6820.
The Indian Head Volunteer Fire Department dispatched 10 firefighters to Jameson Court on Sunday in response to a mattress set on fire.
According to a press release by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the fire was the result of a 4-year-old allegedly igniting the mattress inside of a townhome with a lighter. The occupants of the residence were alerted by a smoke detector in the bedroom.
The fire was controlled by firefighters in two minutes, and no injuries were reported.
Waldorf man charged with kidnapping, assault
David Allen McClay, 28, of Waldorf has been charged with false imprisonment and kidnapping after allegedly holding a victim against his will in his car in August.
According to the District Court of Maryland for Charles County documents, officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office patrol division responded to the area of Marion Lane and Forest Park Drive on Aug. 30 for the report of an assault in progress. The caller said that a male victim was in need of an ambulance due to suspects allegedly beating him badly on the ground.
Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a light-colored Buick as described by the caller and found blood inside and outside of the car. The driver and occupants of the vehicle were detained, according to court documents, and the driver was identified as McClay. The occupants and McClay allegedly denied knowing about an assault and were released.
At 8:21 p.m., officers were dispatched to the victims’ home and on Leman Lane for the report of an injured subject and the victim reported he was beaten with a metal pole all over his body. According to the victim, his cell phone, wallet and other valuables were taken during the assault. The victim was flown to a trauma center due to the severity of his injuries. While at the hospital, the victim advised after he was assaulted, he was put into a silver vehicle against his will and provided a description of the driver which matched McClay’s.
On Sep. 3, a search and seizure warrant was executed on McClay’s vehicle. Evidence found including suspected blood were taken to a forensic
Joseph Glenn Riley Jr., 30, of La Plata has been charged with malicious destruction of property valued at an estimated $1,000 after allegedly damaging the property of a victim with whom he had a verbal altercation.
According to Charles County District Court documents, on March 9, at 8:34 a.m., officer Clements arrived at 604 Kent Ave. for the report of destruction of property to a motor vehicle. When speaking to the victim, the victim stated she and Riley allegedly had a verbal altercation the night prior around 11 p.m. The victim advised that Riley allegedly threatened to slap her.
Clements located Riley in a sedan outside the residence and asked him if he knew who created the damage. According to court documents, Riley stated he didn’t know who caused the damage. Clements noticed a surveillance camera on the exterior of a neighbors house and asked the owner to contact the La Plata Police Department with any footage that may assist in the investigation.
Clements showed the victim the footage received on March 11 at 11:18 a.m., and the victim was able to positively identify Riley from the footage. The footage showed Riley and another suspect causing damage to her vehicle. Riley was identified by the victim as allegedly striking her vehicle with a metal pole and a charcoal grill, shortly after.