Updated Release (11/14/17 12:00 p.m.) 

The second suspect arrested from his involvement in the November 12th armed carjacking has been identified as Michael Frederick Powell, 21, of the unit-block of Helmsman Court, 21221. Powell has been charged with armed carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, two counts of first-degree assault, and theft. He is currently being held at the Baltimore County Department of Corrections on denied bail status. 

Michael Frederick Powell

Original Release (11/13/17 2:52 p.m.) 

On November 12, 2017 just before 8:00 p.m., Baltimore County Police responded to the 1200-block of Handsworth Place for an armed carjacking. Police learned that a man and woman had parked their car in front of their apartment complex on Handsworth Place, 21221. The victims said that two suspects, possibly a third suspect, came up to their car and threatened both victims with handguns. The suspects told the victims to get out of the car. The victims begged to be able to remove their infant son from the car. The suspects did allow the victims to remove their child and groceries, then stole the car and fled from the area.

A responding officer saw the stolen car on Maryland Route 702 near Old Eastern Avenue, 21221. The officer was able to coordinate with the aviation unit to follow the stolen car. The car struck another vehicle on the road in the area of Philadelphia Road and Golden Ring Road, 21237. Shortly after the collision, the suspects jumped out of the stolen car and ran from police. The officers were able to take both suspects into custody. One of the suspects injured himself while running from police. The man was transported to a local hospital for treatment. This suspect’s information will be released once he is formally charged with this crime. The second suspect was identified as Marquis Shaquan Mitchell, 20, of the 5700-block of Daybreak Terrace, 21206. Mitchell has been charged with carjacking, two counts of armed robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, two counts of first degree assault, resisting arrest, and theft. He is currently being held at the Baltimore County Department of Corrections on a denied bail status. Police did not find any evidence determining that more than two suspects were involved in this crime. 

Marquis Mitchell

Baltimore County Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing man from Essex.

Wade Ricky Dickens (34) of the 900 block of Ashbridge Drive, 21221, was last seen at work on Wednesday, November 1, in the 11000 block of Guilford Road in Jessup. A driver by trade, he was last seen operating a black 1990 Ford F-150 truck, Maryland registration '77284CD', with a gray tool box in the bed of the truck. He left work that evening and has not been seen or heard from since that time. Calls to his cell phone go unanswered.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Wade Dickens or his Ford truck is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020 or dial 9-1-1. The Baltimore County Police Homicide/Missing Persons Unit is continuing to investigate this man's disappearance.

Baltimore County Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a shooting in Essex last night.

Police responded to the 500 block of Compass Road, 21220 around 5:41 p.m. for a call of a shooting. Detectives have determined that the victim invited a friend to the home on Compass Road, but when that friend brought additional men that the victim was not familiar with, a fight broke out inside the home. One of the unknown men pulled out a handgun and fired at least one shot, striking the victim, a 26-year-old man, in the upper body. He remains in fair condition at a local hospital.

Detectives working overnight were able to develop suspect information that led them to Pennsylvania where they have made an arrest in the case. The name of the suspect will not yet be released pending extradition to Baltimore County.

Anyone with additional information on this crime or suspect is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020. The Baltimore County Violent Crimes Unit continues to investigate.

An early morning shooting in Dundalk has left a 32-year-old man in serious condition.

Police were called to the 1600 block of Manor Road in Dundalk around 5:35 a.m. when the victim was shot at least once in the upper body by an unknown assailant as he walked out to his vehicle in the alley behind his home. He was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in serious condition.

Police continue to investigate the motive for this shooting but believe this victim was the intended target.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020. The Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit continues to investigate this shooting.

Reward Offered

Metro Crime Stoppers, an organization that is separate from the Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore County Government, offers rewards for information in connection with felony offenses.

Anonymous tips can be sent to Metro Crime Stoppers by phone, text message or online.

Phone: 1-866-7LOCKUP

Text message: Text "MCS" plus your message to "CRIMES" (274637)

Web tip:www.metrocrimestoppers.org

Baltimore County Police Officers are wearing mourning bands on their badges today in memory of a fallen hero.

On November 5, 1986, Officer Robert Zimmerman stopped on Edmondson Avenue to conduct a business check. As he was crossing the street, he was struck by two vehicles and critically injured. He was transported to Shock Trauma where he died nine days later from his injuries.

The 46-year-old officer had been with the Baltimore County Police Department for 18 years and was assigned to the Western Traffic Unit. During his career, he received five departmental citations and had once been named Officer of the Year by the Catonsville Optimist Club.

Baltimore County Police have determined that a report of an attempted armed carjacking in the parking structure at Towson Town Center Mall Tuesday evening is a false report.

Police responded to a parking lot across from the mall around 5:40 p.m. on November 14 when a 46-year-old Parkville woman reported an armed robbery/attempted carjacking had just occurred. She initially stated that as she exited the mall she saw the two suspects lurking among the parked cars, who then approached her as she opened her car door. They demanded her vehicle, and she believed they had a handgun but didn't specifically see one. She stated she refused to give them her keys but gave them her purse instead, which they took and fled on foot.

Air support, K9, and additional ground support units were called to the scene in an attempt to locate the suspects, which she described as black males with black hooded sweatshirts, jeans, and both wearing black ski masks. Towson Town Center Mall security officers were alerted and Towson University Tweeted cautionary information to students, warning them of the nearby crime and to be vigilant.

As the investigation continued, the information the victim gave to police began to change. Her account of events evolved into a handgun being pointed at her and money being demanded. Investigators were able to obtain surveillance video showing the victim driving onto the lot and parking, but never leaving her vehicle before driving back out of the parking lot just before calling police.

Police are seeking charges against the victim for falsely reporting a crime. Her motive for falsely reporting the incident is still unknown as she has become uncooperative with detectives.

Tuesday was just another ordinary day for Officer M. Mills of the Wilkens Precinct, but "ordinary" for police officers is sometimes considered "extraordinary" by those whose lives they touch.

Officer Mills responded to a call for a possible fire with smoke showing in a wooded area off of Washington Boulevard in Catonsville around 9:31 a.m., but was unable to locate any fire. He searched the wooded area, where he happened upon a disheveled man and questioned him about seeing any smoke or fire. The man admitted to starting the fire to keep warm and the smoke resulted when he'd extinguished it. Officer Mills continued to talk with the man, who began to recount a tale of disparity, including the prayer for food he'd said just before Officer Mills' arrival.

It is fairly routine for officers to encounter transient citizens during their shift, so this incident was just another routine situation that Officer Mills would handle that day. However, his response could either make the man's day ordinary or extraordinary.

Officer's Extraordinary Assistance

Officer Mills started his response by giving the man cash for food from his own pocket.

Realizing he needed more, Officer Mills offered to drive him to a shelter, which the man accepted. Officer Mills could easily have dropped the man off at any shelter and called it a day. Instead, knowing that most shelters have waiting lists or are filled to capacity, Officer Mills took him to Baltimore County Westside Men's Shelter on Redwood Circle and stayed there, speaking with employees, who provided a hot meal, shower, clean clothes, and ensured a space for the man at the shelter.

Lastly, just before leaving, Officer Mills noticed the poor condition of the man's shoes. He inquired and the man explained that he'd walked to the Baltimore area from Pennsylvania. Officer Mills left, but soon returned with new shoes for the man donated by Walmart.

Officer Mills didn't think much about his response to this call for service; it was just another ordinary day. We're cops; it's what we do. His supervisor, however, recognized that the decisions he made and the effect he had on one person were extraordinary, and that creates a ripple effect. President Calvin Coolidge said, "No one is compelled to choose the profession of a police officer; But having chosen it, everyone is obligated to perform its duties and live up to the high standards of its requirements." Well done, Officer Mills.

One man is dead and another critically injured following a crash on Black Rock Road this afternoon.

Around 1:30 p.m. Baltimore County Police, Fire, and EMS personnel responded to a single vehicle crash involving a truck that overturned on Black Rock Road near Falls Road.

Baltimore County Fire Department Rescue & EMS crews, along with a “GO” team of doctors from Shock Trauma, were dispatched to the crash at 1:32 p.m. The “GO” team was flown to the scene by MSP helicopter. BCoFD rescue personnel, supported by mutual aid units from Carroll County, worked for more than 2 ½ hours to free the critically injured patient from the crashed vehicle. That patient, a passenger in the vehicle, was extricated at 4:05 p.m. and  was transported by air to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center with life threatening injuries.

The operator of the truck was pronounced deceased at the scene. He is identified as Thomas Wayne Crawford Jr. (33), of the 2000 block of Freeland Road in Freeland, 21053.

The Maryland Department of the Environment and BCoFD hazmat units were also dispatched to mitigate fuel that spilled into a nearby stream as a result of the crash.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team continues to investigate the cause of this crash.

Police have a suspect in custody following the shooting of a man in Hunt Valley Saturday night.

Officers responded to a parking lot on the corner of Shawan Road and McCormick Road around 11:11 p.m. Saturday night for a call of a shooting. The shooting occurred when two men, known to each other and having had a previous dispute, encountered one another on the parking lot. When the victim turned and attempted to walk away, the suspect, who has not yet been identified, shot the victim once in the upper body, then fled the scene.

The victim, a 42 year old man, is listed in good condition at an area hospital and is expected to survive his injuries.

Police are investigating a stabbing in Dundalk this afternoon.

Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Oak Street around 1 p.m. for a stabbing. The preliminary investigation indicates that a group of females knocked on the victim's door and a verbal argument erupted. It escalated when one of the females pulled out some type of edged weapon and stabbed the victim.

All of the female suspects fled the area on foot. The victim, an 18-yer-old female, was transported to an area hospital but is expected to survive her injuries.

Anyone with information or who may have seen the group of females fleeing the area is asked to call 9-1-1 or the Dundalk Precinct at 410-887-7320.

Officers recovered the body of a missing 17-year-old boy in a wooded area near his home yesterday afternoon.

Anthony Treon Assante Williams of the 400 block of Bigley Avenue, 21227 was first reported missing by his mother on November 11. She reported that he'd been depressed recently and left abruptly without saying where he was going two days earlier. She told police that it wasn't unusual for him to leave for a day, but he always returned. This time was different.

Officers were called to a wooded area to the rear of the 300 block of Bigley Avenue just after 2 p.m. yesterday when someone walking nearby discovered the body. The cause and manner of death are pending autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner but the preliminary investigation does not indicate foul play.

Police continue to search for Marquise Brunson, who walked out of Northwest Hospital on Old Court Road Saturday evening around 6:45 p.m.

Brunson is 5’11”, 183 pounds, and was wearing thermal pants when last seen. He lives on Brook Village Court in Reisterstown, 21136.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police at the Woodlawn Precinct at 410-887-1340 or dial 9-1-1.

Baltimore County Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating a 15-year-old girl missing from the Rosedale area.

Nicole Barahona-Arriola, from the 6700 block of Havenoak Road, 21237 is a Hispanic female, approximately 4'11", 90 pounds, with brown eyes and long brown hair. She was last seen on November 16 around 8 a.m. leaving for school at Parkville High, but she skipped school that day. She is believed to be staying in the area of North Highland Avenue in Baltimore City.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Nicole Barahona-Arriola is asked to contact the Baltimore County Police Department at 410-307-2020. This incident is under investigation by the Baltimore County Police Department Crimes Against Children Unit.

A man struck by a vehicle while crossing Eastern Avenue tonight has died.

The Baltimore County Crash Investigation Team responded to the scene around 5:23 p.m. after a 2003 Ford F-150 exiting MD Route 702 onto Eastern Boulevard struck the man as he was crossing the street. The pedestrian, a 49-year-old man, was transported to Franklin Square Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The driver of the truck did remain at the scene  

Police have not yet released the identity of the man pending family notifications. 

Baltimore County Police Crash Investigators are asking for the public's assistance in locating a vehicle and driver and/or occupants that may have information in reference to a fatal crash on October 14 on Philadelphia Road.

Police are looking for a darker colored, possibly green, Ford Focus RS, between the model years of 2003 to 2009. The vehicle is modified with low profile rally style rims, a lowered body, an after-market exhaust, and may be turbo equipped. The images depicted below are not the vehicle in question, but are stock photos similar to the Ford Focus RS being sought.

Around 11:35 p.m. this vehicle was seen exiting the outer loop of I-695 at Philadelphia Road and heading west at the same time a Hyundai Genesis 2H was seen passing vehicles on Philadelphia Road just before it lost control and crashed into a house, killing the driver, 28-year-old Gary Auberg. The Ford Focus RS was also seen continuing westbound on Philadelphia Road west of Golden Ring Road just after the crash occurred. The vehicle was not involved in the crash but investigators would like to speak with the driver and/or any occupants of the vehicle to determine what information, if any, they may have in reference to the crash.

Anyone with information regarding this vehicle, the driver, or any possible occupants is asked to contact Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020. This fatal crash continues to be investigated by the Baltimore County Crash Investigation Team.

Police are on the scene at McClean Boulevard and Cleanleigh Drive in Parkville where a shooting occurred around 12:32 p.m.

Employees at the Exxon gas station called 9-1-1 after hearing shots fired and a man screaming. The victim suffered at least one gunshot wound to his lower body and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He is expected to survive his injuries.

The gunman, for whom police are still working to obtain a description, fled the scene before police arrived.

The investigation is still in the preliminary stages and police urge anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or have any information regarding this incident to contact police by dialing 9-1-1 or calling 410-307-2020. The Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit will continue to investigate this incident.

Reward Offered

Metro Crime Stoppers, an organization that is separate from the Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore County Government, offers rewards for information in connection with felony offenses.

Anonymous tips can be sent to Metro Crime Stoppers by phone, text message or online.

Phone: 1-866-7LOCKUP

Text message: Text "MCS" plus your message to "CRIMES" (274637)

Web tip:www.metrocrimestoppers.org

Throughout this holiday weekend, Baltimore County Police and other law enforcement agencies will be on the roads looking for aggressive drivers, as well as drunk and distracted drivers.

We all want to get to our destinations and enjoy our time with family and friends, but speeding will not get you there any faster. On the contrary, you could be pulled over for speeding and aggressive driving. Once you are pulled over, the officer will check your license, registration, and check to see if there are any outstanding warrants out on you.

Should the officer suspect drinking and/or drugged driving, the officer will conduct a sobriety test. If you fail, you will be arrested on the spot and face some big fines. You will also have to pay a lawyer and court costs. You could lose your license, and your insurance will go up.

Distracted driving has been compared to driving drunk. The three seconds it takes to look down at your cellphone is just enough time to crash into another vehicle or strike a pedestrian. The message can wait as can the phone call.

Take your time driving to grandma’s house. She will forgive you if you are a little late.

Happy Thanksgiving!

At a recent seminar on animal abuse, members of the Baltimore County Police Department, the Baltimore County Animal Services and veterinarians met with various groups to discuss the problems associated with animal abuse.

During the daylong session, attendees were reminded that, in some cases, animal abuse is a precursor to domestic abuse. Oftentimes the victim in a domestic case is fearful of leaving the abusive situation because there is a pet at home. The abuser threatens the victim by threatening to harm or kill the pet if the victim leaves.

Another issue is the lack of shelters for the pets of the victims. That is starting to change. Social workers found that the victims will leave their home if they know there is a safe place for their pets. We forget that pets are part of the family and are loved. Why else would someone stay in an abusive relationship?

When investigators look into the past of serial killers, they will often find animal abuse as the start of their criminal activity. Recent Texas serial shooter, Devin Kelley was court-martialed in 2012 and sentenced to a year in prison for domestic assault on his stepson. He subsequently received a bad discharge by the Air force. Kelley was arrested in 2014 for animal abuse after tormenting a dog by punching, hitting and throwing the defenseless animal. Other serial killers follow much the same path; they abuse animals and then proceed to abusing and killing people.

Our officers learned that if a child is found abusing animals, there is something causing the violent and cruel behavior. Most likely there is abuse in the home and the child copes by copying the same behavior as his abuser. This gives the child a sense of power that they don’t have at home. Helping these children at an early age may prevent future tragedies.

Prosecutors at the conference are working with police to go beyond the normal questions when handling a domestic call. The attorneys told our officers to ask the victim if there are others in the house such as children and pets. With this information, our officers can make the necessary calls to the Department of Social Services. Officers can find out if there is an agency that can take the animals out of the home and place them in a safe environment while the children go with their mother. If the victim feels the children and pets will be safe, she will most likely leave with the officer and be taken to a safe house.

This is one of many conferences that Baltimore County Police attend to further their knowledge. As an officer and professional, it is important to keep up with the latest trends in crime prevention. Baltimore County Police constantly strive to make Baltimore County a safe and comfortable place to live and work.

One man has died following a single vehicle crash on Paper Mill Road this evening.

Daniel Joseph Lyons (81) of the unit block of Warren Lodge Court in Cockeysville, 21030 died at Sinai Hospital after his 2006 Scion XA drifted off of the roadway and struck a BGE pole just west of Hunters Run Drive around 5:36 p.m. 

Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team responded and continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this crash.