DATE: September 13, 2021                 

CONTACT: Diane Richardson
Media Relations Office
(301) 609-6557 or (240) 682-1658

Update: A District Court Commissioner issued a criminal warrant for the driver charging her with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

On September 13, at 12:35 a.m., an officer patrolling the area of Crain Highway and Heritage Green Parkway observed a vehicle speed past him; one of the vehicle’s front headlights was also out. The officer initiated a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull over and fled north on Crain Highway. Officers subsequently deployed stop sticks and the car came to a stop after striking a sign in the 3000 block of Crain Highway. All of the occupants ran from the car and fled on foot. A computer check revealed the car was stolen during an armed carjacking in Virginia and the registration plate on the vehicle had been reported stolen in Charles County. Officers subsequently located all five suspects and placed them under arrest. A firearm was also located. After the suspects were arrested, a police canine handler—who was on the scene—was entering his car when, unbeknownst to him, his canine had gotten out of its rear cage and bit him. The dog then jumped out of the vehicle and the driver of the stolen car was bitten. The dog was secured and placed back in the handler’s SUV. The officer was treated for injuries he sustained and the driver of the stolen car was transported to a hospital where she was treated and released. Criminal charges for the driver have been submitted to a District Court Commissioner. Terelle Antwan James, 27, of Washington, D.C.; Jeremy Markel Hayes, 24, of Clinton; Gino Jacqueiz Williams, 20, of Washington, D.C.; and Andrew Jamal Shuff, 28, of Washington, D.C. were charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. In addition, Williams and Shuff were charged with carrying a handgun in a vehicle, and Shuff was also charged with providing a false name. The Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating the accidental canine biting. The criminal investigation into the stolen car and recovered firearm is continuing.    

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) in 2001 and has since earned the highest rating of Excellence. Established in 1658, the CCSO is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the United States. For more information, visit www.ccso.us. 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. All individuals who provide tips through Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. 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. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app, which can be found in the Android Store and Apple store by searching P3tips. For more information about the P3 program, click on this link: www.p3intel.com.