The following is a sample of recent Charles County Sheriff’s Office investigations. For information about crimes not included in this report, visit CrimeReports.com and search by county, city, zip code or street address.

OFFICERS APPREHEND BURGLARY SUSPECTS: On Jan. 26 at 3:26 a.m., officers were patrolling in Waldorf when they were informed of a suspicious vehicle at a vacant home in the 3200 block of Green Meadows Drive. When officers arrived, they located the car and observed copper piping and other items inside. The vacant home also had damage to the basement and water system. Paul Daniel Panholzer, 31, of Callaway and Joshua Scott Schellhase, 30, of Leonardtown were arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property, second- and fourth-degree burglary and theft. Officer B. Moore and Sgt. C. Strafella investigated.

BURGLARY: On Jan. 25 at 9 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 3400 block of Milstead Court in Waldorf for the report of a burglary. Investigation revealed holes had been cut into walls and copper piping had been stolen. The incident was believed to have happened sometime between Jan. 18 and Jan. 25. Officer A. Duckett is investigating.

CONCEALED WEAPON: On Jan. 25 at 4:21 p.m., officers responded to King Street in Waldorf for the report of a male carrying a handgun. Officers located the subject who was standing with a group of people and a gun was found in the subject’s waistband. As officers attempted to arrest the suspect, another male – who was with the subject – grabbed one of the officer’s arms and hampered the arrest. After a brief struggle, both subjects were arrested. The gun the officers recovered turned out to be a pellet gun, but all of the safety markings had been removed. A 13-year-old male was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, concealing an air gun and possession of drug paraphernalia. The other suspect, a 14-year-old male, was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

BURLGARY: On Jan. 22 at 9 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 9500 block of Kline Drive in La Plata for the report of a burglary. Investigation revealed unknown suspect(s) broke the lock to a shed, stole several items and fled the scene. Officer J. Sapienza is investigating.

FOURTH-DEGREE BURGLARY: Sometime between 10 p.m. Jan. 22 and 3 a.m. Jan. 23, unknown suspect(s) broke into a shed in the 6000 block of Fire Tower Road in Welcome and stole several items including a blue and white 2012 Polaris Outlaw 90 ATV. Officer J. Mejia is investigating.

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT: On Jan. 23 at 4:09 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of University Drive for the sound of gunshots. Officers heard gunshots upon arrival and began searching the wooded area. Officers located the suspects nearby and detained them. Investigation revealed the suspects were target shooting without a proper backstop. No damages were reported. A search of the area revealed two shotguns and multiple rounds of ammo. Charges are pending. Det. J. Elliott, Cpl. R. Gottschall, and Officers D. Walker and S. Hooper investigated.

FOURTH-DEGREE BURGLARY: Sometime between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Jan. 23, unknown suspect(s) broke into multiple sheds located in the 9100 block of Twinberry Drive in Bel Alton. Investigation revealed the suspect(s) broke the locks, stole several items and fled the scene. Cpl. P. Tona and Officer J. Dewberry are investigating.

FIRST-DEGREE BURGLARY: On Jan. 22 at 4:10 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 2600 block of Rooks Head Place in Waldorf for the report of a burglary. Investigation revealed unknown suspect(s) broke the lock to the back door, stole several items and fled the scene. Officer B. Cox is investigating.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT: On Jan. 22 at 6:10 a.m., officers responded to a residence in the 10700 block of Cedarwood Drive in Waldorf for the report of a vehicle theft. Investigation revealed two unknown suspects stole the victim’s vehicle while it was running and unattended in the driveway. The stolen vehicle is a white 2010 Chevrolet Silverado with Georgia plates. The suspects may have been armed with a long gun. Officers canvassed the area and located other cars that had been broken into. Officer M. Tyner is investigating.

THEFT: Sometime between Dec. 21 and Jan. 23, unknown suspect(s) stole an outside A/C unit at a residence in the 6200 block of Whistlers Place in Waldorf. Officer J. Kelly 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 ccso.us.

Media Contact
Diane Richardson
301-609-6557
richardsond@ccso.us