FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH: On Jan. 3, at approximately 3:52 p.m., the driver of a Toyota FJ Cruiser was traveling south on Copley Avenue north of Acadia Road in Waldorf. For unknown reasons, the driver lost control of his vehicle, crossed the double yellow lines, struck a mailbox, crossed back over the roadway and struck an unoccupied parked car. The parked vehicle was forced across two lanes of traffic and into the front yard of a nearby house. The driver, Vardon Julius Washington, 58, of Waldorf, was pronounced deceased on the scene. Investigators are looking into the possibility the driver may have had a medical issue prior to losing control of his car. Cpl. K. Syvertsen of the Traffic Operations Unit is conducting the investigation.

BURGLARY: Officers are investigating a reported burglary of a shed that occurred on Jan. 3 in the 6000 block of Rose Hill Road in La Plata. Unknown suspects stole tools and other appliances. Officer T. McKimmie is investigating.

FIRST-DEGREE ASSAULT: On Jan. 1 at 3 p.m., Ryan Christopher Graham, 32, of Mechanicsville entered a business in the 11700 block of Central Avenue in Waldorf. He approached a woman he knew, pulled out a gun, pointed it at her and pulled the trigger twice. The weapon did not fire and Graham left. A warrant was issued and officers immediately began searching for him. Graham was located the following morning and arrested. He was charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, illegal possession of a handgun, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, malicious destruction of property, and failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order. Pfc D. Walker made the arrest.

Ryan Graham

Ryan Graham

SUSPECT CHARGED WITH BREAKING INTO CAR: On Dec. 31 at 3:18 a.m., a witness called police to report a man rummaging through a neighbor’s car in the 600 block of Washington Avenue in La Plata. Officers located the suspect, Justin Thomas Smoot, 28, of La Plata, and learned he had an open warrant. Smoot was charged with fourth-degree burglary. M/Cpl. T. Lee made the arrest.

Justin Smoot

Justin Smoot

SUSPECT CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF A HANDGUN AND DRUGS: On Dec. 31 at 12:10 a.m., Pfc Gustafson attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on Mattawoman Beantown Road in Waldorf. The driver refused to stop. Officers followed the car which eventually stopped about a mile away. Officers found a loaded gun in the driver’s waistband and marijuana inside the car. Antoine Gerard Herbert, 28, of Mechanicsville, was charged with fleeing and eluding, handgun on person and handgun in a vehicle.

Antoine Herbert

Antoine Herbert

HOME INVASION: On Dec. 28 at 7:04 a.m., officers responded to the 8200 block of Wooddy Road in La Plata for the report of a robbery. An unknown suspect entered the victim’s unlocked house and struck him in the head with a revolver. The suspect then stole cash from the victim and fled. The suspect is described as a white male, about 6’1”, 180 lbs., wearing a black sweat shirt, blue jeans, white sneakers, and a black ski mask. Cpl. J. Walter is investigating.

Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of a person responsible for a crime in Charles County. Anyone with information about an unsolved crime or the location of a fugitive may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, texting CHARLES + the tip to CRIMES (274637) or submitting tips online at tipsubmit.com. All individuals who provide tips through Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. Learn more at the CCSO’s website.

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service law enforcement agency comprised of more than 600 police, corrections and civilian personnel responsible for protecting more than 150,000 residents. The CCSO was accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 2001 has been designated as a CALEA Gold Standard of Excellence agency since 2011. Established in 1658, the CCSO is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the United States. For more information, visit www.ccso.us.