Baltimore County Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying six suspects involved in the May 12 assault and robbery of a man as he was leaving Loafers Sports Bar and Grill at 6518 Baltimore National Pike in Catonsville.

The victim, 36, was leaving the restaurant around 1:25 a.m. and walking through the parking lot with two friends when he was approached by a group of men who unexpectedly began beating him until he fell to the ground, then continued to hit and kick him. Two suspects began stomping the victim in the head and body. Another suspect took property from the victim's pockets as he was still being beaten on the ground.

The victim suffered serious injuries to his head, face and body and was transported to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma for treatment. The victim later advised police that he may have inadvertently bumped into one of the suspects as he was leaving the restaurant, which may have been the motivation for the attack.

At least one of the suspects is believed to frequent the area of Edmondson Village in Baltimore City but has yet to be identified. Anyone who recognizes any of these six suspects is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020. The Baltimore County Police Robbery Unit is continuing 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

School is out and now it's time for the Baltimore County Police Department's Basketball Clinic. On Saturday, June 30, kids 6 to 16  are invited to this one day clinic hosted by the Wilkens Precinct.

Walk-in registration begins at 7:30 a.m. in the gym at Leadership Through Athletics, located at 2900 Hammonds Ferry Road, Halethorpe 21227. The clinic begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. There will be pizza, snacks, water and Gatorade for the young athletes and officers.

The officers will offer their skills and know-how to the kids on the court. They will learn teamwork. As they shoot the hoops, they will see the officers as people, not just someone with a badge and uniform. The person on the court is not just the officer in the neighborhood, but someone to trust in a time of trouble. They will see a person like them. Our officers are great role models.

Download and submit the registration and waiver form (PDF) to participate in the one day basketball clinic.

Bring your friends. There is nothing like a good game of “b-ball” with friends from your neighborhood to start the summer off right!

View video from the spring 2018 Basketball Clinic.

See you there!

A 31-year-old man was killed in an industrial accident this morning in the unit block of Schilling Rd., 21030.  Michael David Zeller, of the 800 block of Creek Rd., 21221, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from the Baltimore County Fire Department.

At 8:30 this morning, a medic unit from the Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a fall subject.  The location of the incident is a building which is currently under renovation.  Upon arrival, the medic crew found a single patient who was trapped in an elevator shaft.  Preliminary information indicates that the patient may have fallen approximately 20 feet and became trapped between a wall and the counter-weight from one of the elevators.

Crews immediately requested additional resources for a confined space rescue, including the Urban Search and Rescue Team from Texas Station #17.  Within fifteen minutes of the medic unit's arrival, the patient was extricated.  Zeller was pronounced dead at the scene.

There were no other injuries as a result of this incident.

The Baltimore County Police Department, along with Maryland Occupational Safety and Health, continue to investigate.

UPDATE (June 8, 2018 2:26 p.m.):

Detectives from the Franklin Precinct Investigative Services Team have obtained warrants for two adults involved in the shooting at a Target store cafeteria on March 12, and are now asking for assistance from the public in locating the suspects.

The first suspect is identified as Ronald Anthony Williams, age 26. He is described as approximately 6'01" and 280 pounds with brown eyes and black shoulder length dredlocks. He is known to frequent areas in Baltimore City, Pikesville, and Owings Mills.

The second suspect is identified as Travonne Jamal Smith, age 22. He is described as approximately 5'07" and 125 pounds with brown eyes, glasses, and short black hair. He is known to frequent areas in Baltimore City and Owings Mills.

Anyone who sees these suspects is asked to contact 9-1-1 immediately. Anyone who may have information on the possible whereabouts of either of these suspects is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020.

This case remains under investigation by the Franklin Precinct Investigative Services Team.

Original Release (March 26, 2018 1:55 p.m.):

Police Seek Information on Suspects in Target Shooting

Baltimore County Police are now asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspects involved in a shooting at Target in Owings Mills two weeks ago.

Shoppers were left startled and afraid when a gunshot rang out in the Target cafe at 11200 Reisterstown Road, 21117 around 5:41 p.m. on Monday, March 12. Two of the subjects involved in the incident fled the store toward Dolfield Boulevard on foot while the rest were seen fleeing in a vehicle southbound on Reisterstown Road following the shooting.

Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, but surveillance video shows one suspect shooting toward two of the other subjects involved in the incident when they became engaged in a physical altercation. It is still unclear which of the two was the intended target. Police believe that the shooter is one of the subjects seen fleeing the scene on foot toward Dolfield Boulevard after attempting to fire a second round, which jammed in the gun.

Police are now asking for the public's help in identifying the individuals pictured in these still frames from the Target security surveillance video. Anyone who recognizes any of these individuals is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020.

Detectives from the Franklin - Precinct 3 Investigative Services Unit continue to work this case.

Victims of the recent flooding may receive assistance through the non-profit organization, Maryland Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

​The Baltimore County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has been working with storm victims in Catonsville and other flood-stricken areas on recovery needs.

VOAD services are free of charge; the organization does not solicit donations. Renters will be required to submit a waiver signed by a landlord.

Available services include flood cleanup, demolition, pressure washing, sanitation/mold remediation, debris removal and chainsaw operations.

​VOAD's Flood Cleanup Hotline is 410-449-5415.

Emergency Management officials advise storm victims seeking advice on storm recovery to use government agencies or reputable organizations such as the Red Cross or VOAD. "Scammers" seeking to take advantage of storm victims are a common problem following disasters.

Beware of scammers. Works for free and does not solicit donations. If you are a renter, you will need your landlord to sign a waiver.

Sadly, a 6-year-old boy struck by a vehicle on High Falcon Road in Reisterstown yesterday afternoon has died from his injuries.

​Around 3:18 p.m. police were called to High Falcon Road near Academy Avenue after the little boy was struck by the front corner of a passing Toyota 4Runner after he stepped off the curb where he'd been standing with his mother, running around the front of a parked vehicle and into the travel lane. The driver immediately stopped and remained at the scene and is not expected to be charged.

The child, identified as Marvin Steven Martinez (6) of the 6900 block of Milbrook Park Drive, 21215 was transported to Sinai Hospital by Baltimore County Medics, where he was stabilized before being transported to John's Hopkins Children's Center Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where he later died.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team is continuing to investigate this fatal crash.

Baltimore County Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding a shooting in the 400 block of Shirley Manor Road, 21136 this morning.

Police were called to the scene around 9:30 p.m. last night after a verbal disturbance in front of the location turned violent when one of the men shot the other man, then fled the location. The victim, 37, was transported to an area hospital suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the upper body. He is expected to survive his injuries.

The Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit is continuing their investigation into this crime.

Baltimore County Police are investigating after a body was found behind a dumpster at Eastpoint Mall this morning.

Police responded to the scene behind the Kool Smiles Dental Office at 7839 Eastern Avenue, 21224 around 8:46 a.m. for a call of a cardiac arrest when the body was discovered. Homicide detectives were called to the scene after the victim, an adult man, was found to have suffered some type of trauma to the upper body. The preliminary investigation indicates that the death may have been due to a non-criminal event that caused a fatal injury. The final determination as to cause and manner of death will be made following an autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit will continue to investigate this incident.

The Baltimore County Police and Recreation and Parks Departments are pleased to announce that 2018 summer camp activities will be held at three conveniently located PAL Centers – Scotts Branch, Hillendale and Dundalk.

The camps will begin on July 9 and run Monday to Friday for three consecutive weeks, through July 27.

The centers will open at 9 a.m. with activities lasting until 3 p.m. Area youth are encouraged to attend, with their parental permission, to travel on field trips to local attractions, participate in various sports-related activities and art and crafts, while learning opportunities are provided that are specifically suited for youngsters.

The camps will be staffed by PAL representatives and police officers who are looking forward to providing our youth with an engaging, safe and enjoyable environment this summer to strengthen community relationships while continuing to build upon meaningful partnerships.

For more information or to register, contact your local PAL center.

The 37th Citizens' Academy graduation will take place tonight at 6:30 p.m. The graduation ceremony will take place at the Public Safety Building, 700 East Joppa Road, Towson 21286. There are 38 citizens in the class from around Baltimore County.

Police Chief Terrence B. Sheridan will present the graduates their certificates. These men and women completed a 15-week program. The graduates learned about the various units and the various aspects of law enforcement. Officers from specialized units such as K-9, Marine, Aviation and Tactical Operations spoke to the participants and described their duties.

The graduates also learned about the precincts, narcotics identification and investigation. They sat in on lectures covering media relations, criminal investigations, as well as residential and Homeland Security. They went to the firing range, where they learned about the use of force and the department's policy on the use of firearms.

The main focus of the Citizens' Academy is to foster greater communication and relationships between the department, the community, and businesses, as well as to promote a better understanding of law enforcement.

The Baltimore County Police Department's 147th Recruit Class will graduate from the academy tonight. The ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Loch Raven High School, 1212 Cowpens Avenue, 21286.

The diplomas will be presented by Baltimore County Police Chief Terrence B. Sheridan, Aberdeen Police Chief Henry Trabert and Karen Kruger, Executive Director of the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions. The oath of office will be administered by the Honorable Julie Ensor, Clerk of the Court for Baltimore County. Cantor Nancy Ginsberg will preside over the benediction and adjournment.

The recruits trained for 27 weeks and will spend the next two years in the field as they apply the skills learned in the classroom.

The new officers will report for duty on June 18 and be assigned as follows:

Precinct 1/Wilkens

Officer Brian Beck
Officer Jordan Riddick
Officer Jeanette Spann-Hodges
Officer Timothy Usher
Officer Hogan Walsh

Precinct 2/Woodlawn

Officer Alexander Iuliano
Officer Brandon Stearns

Precinct 3/Franklin

Officer Russell Bolander, III
Officer Nicholas Bowers
Officer Mathew Clingan
Officer Christopher Deel
Officer Redouane Soussi
Officer Colby Wagner

Precinct 4/Pikesville

Officer Yuliya Taranyk
Officer Sabree Thompson

Precinct 6/Towson

Officer Jason Feurer
Officer Quanje Hill
Officer John Iacoboni
Officer Steve Mwaura
Officer Paul Parent
Officer Amneet Sihota

Precinct 7/Cockeysville

Officer April Arnett

Precinct 9/White Marsh

Officer Joseph Addis
Officer Ryan DeMent
Officer Stephen Dutton, Jr.
Officer Trinity Fields
Officer Grayson Kemp
Officer Michael Lynch
Officer Paul Steindler

Precinct 11/Essex

Officer Chase Aiosa
Officer Juliann Elmer
Officer Brittani Genco
Officer James Haddix, Jr.
Officer Ryan Hubbard
Officer Tyrese Jackson
Officer Mariam Khraibani
Officer Michael Ruiz
Officer Antoine Trent, Jr.
Officer Casey Workenaour
Officer Aaron Wyatt
Officer Renita Young

Precinct 12/Dundalk

Officer Jack Britcher
Officer Vincent Miceli
Officer Gregory Parks
Officer Kyle Rider
Officer Sean Snee, Jr.
Officer Ryan Weigle

Aberdeen Police Department

Officer Candace Markiewicz

On June 14, 2018 just before 3:00 p.m., Baltimore County Police received a call for a robbery at the Dunkin Donuts located in the 1700-block of N. Rolling Road, 21244. Responding officers learned that three male suspects entered the store, threatened the employee with a handgun and stole an undisclosed amount of money from the register.

Baltimore County Police detectives had recently identified a gray Kia being driven by suspects involved in numerous robberies in the County. One of the responding patrol officers to the Dunkin Donuts robbery observed the Kia traveling east on Security Boulevard, occupied by four men. The officer activated his emergency equipment in order to stop the Kia to determine if the four individuals were involved in the robbery. The driver of the Kia accelerated and led police on a chase. During the chase, the Kia struck the rear of another vehicle on Security Boulevard at Colonial Drive. After the collision, the men jumped out of the car. The driver of the vehicle was struck by a responding police car as he fled from the Kia. The driver was transported to a local hospital, where his current condition is unknown.

Two other suspects who ran from the Kia were taken into custody after a foot pursuit. Money was recovered by the officers while taking the suspects into custody. The fourth suspect was located and arrested on June 15^th. Robbery investigators have connected these individuals with the Dunkin Donuts robbery and are determining if these suspects are responsible for several other County robberies.

The case is on-going that this time. The names of the suspects will be released after the individuals are charged. The Police Department will conduct an administrative investigation in this matter.

On June 15, 2018 at 8:00 p.m., Baltimore County Police responded to the parking lot of a business located in the 100-block of Back River Neck Road, 21221 for a fight call. When officers arrived at the scene, they learned of a kidnapping. The victim’s mother told police that she was watching her son play outside their home in the 1600-block of Renaissance Drive, 21221, when she went inside the garage of the house to get a toy for her son. The mother heard the scooter that her son was riding, hit the ground and quickly began to look for her son.

Several neighbors came to the mother’s aid, and told her that they saw a woman grab the 4-year-old victim in a “bear hug” and walk away with the child towards Back River Neck Road. The neighbors and mother were able to find the woman in the 100-block of Back River Neck Road still holding the boy. The suspect refused to release the child and the neighbors struggled with the woman to release the child. Eventually, the group was able to get the child back to his mother. During the incident, the 4-year-old did suffer minor injuries. Police verified that the suspect is not known by the victim or his mother.

The suspect is in custody but has not been formally charged with kidnapping as of this morning. Her information will be provided once she has been charged with the incident.

On June 16, 2018 at 4:37 p.m., Baltimore County Police responded to Loch Raven Boulevard at Deanwood Road, 21239 for a three-car collision. Crash investigator determined that a 2011 Honda Odyssey was traveling westbound on Loch Raven while attempting to turn left onto Deanwood when the van was struck by a 2002 Acura TL traveling northbound on Loch Raven. After the initial collision, the Acura continued into a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze which was attempting to turn right onto Loch Raven from the westbound lane of Deanwood. A total of 13 people were injured in this crash and transported to local hospitals. Police are continuing their investigation at this time.

Leadership, team building and trust will be the key ingredients for this year’s Youth Leadership Academy. This week, the Baltimore County Police Department is hosting the 12^th annual Youth Leadership Academy (YLA).

The teens, 14 to 18, are offered the opportunity to develop skills that will help them through life. They will learn to develop leadership skills while having fun and meeting like-minded teens.

The day starts at 8 a.m. at the Police Training Academy. Each day will bring new insights into the department and themselves.

Leadership, self-confidence and teamwork will be the lessons of the day when the teens spend time at the Parke School.

When they are at the police academy, they’ll role play crime scenes. This is when the teens are pushed to think, investigate and interview crime victims and suspects. They soon realize this isn’t CSI.

The week is exciting and educational. It is time well spent with officers and others in the department. For those thinking about a career in law enforcement and criminal justice, this is a great start.

Fire Chief Kyrle W. Preis III has promoted eight members to the rank of Fire Lieutenant. 

Congratulations to the following:

• Fire Apparatus Driver Operator (FADO) Kevin Bollinger
• FADO Kevin Cunningham 
• Fire Specialist Jessica Greaver
• Fire Specialist Travis Francis
• FADO Salliann Muscella
• Fire Specialist Manuel Ortez
• PM/FF April Owens
• FADO Jacob Stuart

The promotions are effective July 8, 2018.

Baltimore County needs information from victims of the Memorial Day weekend flooding in order to seek federal aid, including low-interest disaster loans.

Federal aid is available only after disaster-stricken jurisdictions document damages and meet certain loss thresholds. Baltimore County's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is beginning this documentation process for the Memorial Day storm.

Emergency Management officials need information from homeowners, renters and businesses who suffered uninsured or grossly under-insured damage to buildings, land, personal property or business inventories. Such victims of the recent flooding should contact emergencymanagement@baltimorecountymd.gov.

The  deadline for providing information to Emergency Management officials is Friday, June 29, 2018.

Storm victims should provide:

• Location of the affected properties
• Type of loss
• Value of property affected
• Estimated losses and the extent to which they were covered by insurance
• Contact information

The Documentation Process

Storm victims should note that, in providing this information, they are not applying for aid.

Rather, they are assisting Emergency Management officials with the documentation needed for Baltimore County to qualify for federal aid. Storm victims' information will be provided to the U.S. Small Business Administration, which will work with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and Baltimore County Emergency Management to determine if the losses are significant enough to qualify for the Disaster Loan Program.

The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to business of all sizes, private and non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters. If the SBA approves Baltimore County for disaster aid, loans may be used to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery, equipment, inventory and business assets damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

Baltimore County Police are reminding drivers to keep their vehicle doors locked and to never store their keys in the vehicle, including a spare key to another vehicle, while it's unattended. Doing so could lead to items being stolen from your vehicle or even your vehicle being stolen.

Don't provide an opportunity for a criminal. Many times all it takes is for a suspect to walk through a neighborhood and pull on your car handle to see if it's unlocked. If it is unlocked, your valuables are at risk to be stolen. A spare key stored in your vehicle could leave you with your car being stolen.

Leaving Your Car Running Unattended is Illegal

Leaving your car running with the keys in the ignition not only leaves your car at risk to be stolen, but it is also illegal.

Vehicles left running outside homes, in front of convenience stores and at gas pumps present an easy target for car thieves. Always take your keys with you and secure your vehicle, even for a short trip into the store.

Maryland Annotated Vehicle Code prohibits an operator of a vehicle to leave a vehicle running and unattended unless the operator:

• is in charge of a motor vehicle that has had the engine started using a remote keyless ignition system and has been operating unattended for up to five consecutive minutes when the vehicle is not in motion; or
• allows a motor vehicle that is locked and on private property, not open to the public, to operate unattended for up to five consecutive minutes when the vehicle is not in motion.

Penalties and Fines

Did you know that leaving a vehicle alone with the engine running is against the law? Officers can issue a ticket that is accompanied by a $70 fine and one point against your driving record. Unattended, running vehicles also pose a safety hazard. If the vehicle slips out of gear and causes an accident, you could be issued a ticket with a $110 fine and three points against your driving record.

Make sure your vehicle doors are locked at all times, spare keys are not left in the vehicle and the vehicle is not left running unattended.

Towson neighborhoods are recovering this morning from yesterday's short-lived but severe thunderstorm that felled large tree branches, brought down power lines and left thousands without power.

The storm tore through Baltimore County around 5 p.m., following a National Weather Service severe thunderstorm warning, in effect until 5:30 p.m. The Towson area took the brunt of the storm; damage also was reported in Pikesville. Other areas of the county were impacted little, if at all.

The storm brought swirling winds and driving rains. In Towson, BCoFD crews responded to reports of fallen trees and branches that blocked roads, and several incidents involving trees that fell on houses.

The storm caused numerous power lines to fall across roadways. West Joppa Road remains closed this morning while BGE crews repair the lines. Motorists should avoid this area.

Some traffic lights in Towson remain out of service; motorists should use caution at these intersections.

At the height of the storm, 29,000 households were without power due to the weather. That number had dropped to about 4,000 this morning.

No injuries are reported.

Emergency Management officials said this storm illustrates how quickly summer thunderstorms can evolve into destructive events, and how difficult it is to predict exactly where such storms -- which can be isolated and small in scope -- will hit.

Residents should:

• Be prepared at all times for power outages. Battery-powered flashlights and lanterns are a "must."
• Maintain large trees, especially aging trees, to reduce the risk of fallen branches and uprooting.
• Get indoors, if possible, when thunderstorms threatens and especially following a severe thunderstorm warning.
• Motorists should never attempt to drive through standing water and, if possible, should pull over during violent storms such as yesterday's.
• Avoid trees, water and landline phones to reduce the risk of electrocution and injury during a lightning strike.

Additional information about severe thunderstorms is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Baltimore County Police are attempting to locate a man wanted for a string of burglaries and package thefts. Darryl Ra'Nard Crawford (23) is described as a black male, 5'6," 125 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. On April 23, 2018, Crawford burglarized a home in the 3400-block of Liberty Parkway, 21222. The following day, he stole packages from the front of two houses located in the 6500-block of Clarington Road, 21209 and in the 2300-block of Whitley Road, 21209. Crawford continued his spree on April 26, 2018, when he burglarized a home in the 4700-block of Ballygar Road, 21236. 

Police Department detectives worked in coordination with patrol officers and have been able to connect Crawford to these crimes. If anyone knows the whereabouts of Darryl Ra'Nard Crawford, please call 911 or Baltimore County Police at 410-307-2020.

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