Baltimore County Police have charged Brandon Alexander Brown in connection with a shooting on Stony Barr Road early Saturday morning.

Detectives believe that Brown targeted the victim, who was shot as he drove past Brown on Stony Barr Road near Guild Hall Court, 21244 around 4:39 a.m. on July 7 after dropping a friend off at their residence nearby. The victim, a 25-year-old man, suffered a single gunshot wound to the upper body and drove himself to an area hospital for treatment. He is expected to survive his injury.

Brandon Alexander Brown (33) of the 7800 block of Liberty Road, 21244 was arrested around 5:26 a.m. following the shooting. He is currently being held on denied bail status at the Baltimore County Detention Center on charges of Attempted 1st Degree Murder, First Degree Assault, Use of Firearm in Commission of Felony/Violent Crime, and Possession of a Firearm by Person with Felony Conviction. Brown is expected to have a bail review hearing some time today.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Violent Crimes Unit continue to investigate an incident involving a violent car-jacking in the 7800 block of Peninsula Expressway just before midnight on Saturday.

The victim, a 42-year-old man, was driving home when he began experiencing car trouble and pulled to the side of the roadway. While checking to see what the trouble was, a vehicle with the two suspects stopped. The suspects approached him and while one pointed a handgun at him the other took his cell phone and wallet. The victim attempted to flee and was shot by the suspect once in a lower extremity. The victim continued to flee and managed to flag down another motorist who called 9-1-1.

One of the suspects fled in the vehicle they arrived in while the other stole the victim's vehicle, which was later located just inside Baltimore City.

Anyone with information on the suspects involved in this violent crime is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020.

Police continue to investigate an early morning July 4th shooting in Woodlawn.

Officers were called to Northwest Hospital just after midnight for a walk-in gunshot wound victim. The man, 27, reported he was walking around the property of Edmondson Heights Elementary School in the 1600 block of Langford Road with his girlfriend when they heard what sounded like fireworks. A few minutes later they heard more "pop" sounds and the victim realized he'd been struck in the upper body by a bullet. He is expected to survive his injury.

Anyone with information regarding gunfire in the area of Edmondson Heights Elementary School on July 3 or early July 4 is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020. The Baltimore County Violent Crimes Unit is continuing the investigation into this shooting.

Baltimore County Police have charged two suspects who attempted to flee from police in a stolen Jeep in Dundalk last night, ramming the police vehicle head-on in their attempt to escape.

Officers responded to a call for a suspicious vehicle in the 8100 block of Shore Road at 5:33 p.m. and saw six subjects get into a red Jeep Liberty. A check of the tag indicated that the vehicle had been reported stolen from the 8000 block of Del Haven Road at about 8:30 a.m. yesterday morning when the owner discovered the Jeep missing.

Two police units on the scene, one marked and one unmarked, blocked Shore Road with emergency equipment activated as the Jeep with the six suspects began to approach them. The driver of the Jeep accelerated directly toward the marked patrol car, ramming the front of the patrol car with such force that it partially drove up onto the front bumper and hood, disabling the patrol car. The Jeep, which also sustained disabling damage in the collision, drove away a short distance before stopping. The six suspects all exited the Jeep and fled on foot in various directions.

Additional units responded to the area, including air support and K-9, setting up a perimeter while the area was searched. The driver and one passenger of the Jeep were apprehended a short time later in the area of Lynch Road and Dineen Drive. Four suspects remain outstanding as of this morning.

The driver of the stolen Jeep, identified as 16-year-old Jeremy Patrick Hager of the 8000 block of Kavanagh Road, 21222 is charged as an adult due to the seriousness of the charges. Derek Darnelle Stroman (19) of the 7800 block of Harold Road, 21222 is identified as a passenger in the stolen Jeep. Both are charged with the following:

• First Degree Assault
• Second Degree Assault
• Second Degree Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
• Reckless Endangerment
• Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle
• Grand Theft
• Malicious Destruction of Property
• Unauthorized Removal of Property
• Rogue and Vagabond

Both Hager and Stroman are held on denied bail status at the Baltimore County Detention Center following an initial bail hearing. Bail review hearings for both will be forthcoming.

Just after 10:00 p.m. on July 11, 2018, Baltimore County Police responded to a pedestrian-involved crash on Security Boulevard and Lord Baltimore Drive, 21244. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased at 10:40 p.m. Police determined that a car was traveling westbound on Security Boulevard and struck the pedestrian as she was attempting the cross the road. Another collision occurred when the pedestrian was thrown into the direction of a 2005 Acura MDX which was also traveling westbound on Security Boulevard.

The driver of the first car did not remain at the scene of the collision. The driver of the second vehicle did remain at the scene.

The pedestrian has been identified as Mariam Idowu Adeleke, 24, of the unit-block of Brubar Court, 21207. The car that fled the scene is only described as a dark colored sedan. If anyone has information about this fatal crash, please call 911.

On July 11, 2018, Johnnie Russell Gobeli, 94, of the 8400-block of Kings Ridge Road, 21234 was reported missing to the Baltimore County Police. After an extensive search, Police were unable to locate the missing man. On July 12, 2018, police were called back to the missing man's home when the body of Gobeli was found under his car inside his garage. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Police believe this incident is an accidental death. Manner and cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner following an autopsy. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. 

UPDATE (July 13, 2018 11:45 a.m.):

Baltimore County Police have charged Tavon Malik Edwards (19) of the 3100 block of Bancroft Road, 21215 with First Degree Murder in the death of Howard Blevins, found laying on the sidewalk on Sandy Stone Road in Essex just after midnight on June 2.

Blevins was suffering from obvious trauma to the upper portion of his body and was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased. The Chief Office of the Medical Examiner determined cause and manner of death to be homicide by gunshot wound following an autopsy.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit determined that Edwards and Blevins were known associates dealing in illicit narcotics. Edwards approached Blevins that night and shot him to death following their interaction. He then fled the scene in a vehicle parked nearby.

Edwards is being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on denied bail status following an initial bail hearing earlier today.

Original Release (June 2, 2018 8:46 p.m.):

Police have identified a 50-year-old man found dead on the sidewalk in front of an apartment building in Essex just after midnight.

Police were called to the 1100 block of Sandy Stone Road when a neighbor saw the man laying on the sidewalk and called 9-1-1. The man is identified as Howard Vermont Blevins of the 1100 block of Sandy Stone Road, 21221. The man was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 1:26 a.m. He was determined to have evidence of trauma to the upper body. Cause and manner of death are pending results of an autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit is conducting the investigation into this incident and is asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything around midnight to contact police at 410-307-2020. 

REWARD:

Anyone with information on this case can also submit a tip to Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. For more information on other ways to contact Metro Crime Stoppers, as well as information on rewards offered by or through them, check their website at www.metrocrimestoppers.org. Metro Crime Stoppers, an organization that is separate from the Baltimore County Police Department and Baltimore County Government, may offer a reward for information in connection with felony offenses when tips are received through their website or phone line. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Metro Crime Stoppers by phone, text message, or online.

On July 1, 2018, Devon Peter Ireland (17) of the 11900-block of Thurloe Drive, 21093 was reported missing to the Baltimore County Police Department.

Family members and police searched for Devon. On July 16, 2018, Devon’s family was notified that he was located inside a vacant house on Washburn Avenue, 21225. Baltimore Police were called to the vacant house on June 29 and located the 17-year-old, deceased inside the house. According to investigators, there were no signs of trauma or foul play. Police were unable to positively identify Ireland until July 16.

The cause and manner of Ireland’s death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The Baltimore Police Department is continuing their investigation at this time.

The driver of an Artscape Land Maintenance, Inc street sweeping work truck was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Dulaney Valley Road early this morning.

Police were called to the scene north of Chapelwood Lane around 3:29 a.m. after the driver unexpectedly crossed the oncoming traffic lane and struck a mailbox and guardrail, causing the truck to overturn. The truck skidded into a BGE pole where it finally came to rest. The driver, Charles David Myers Jr (50) of the 200 block of Spencer Circle in Forest Hill, was working at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Investigation Team continues to investigate to determine the cause of the crash. Cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner following an autopsy.

Baltimore County Police are investigating a series of overnight vehicle fires in the Bowleys Quarters area as arson.

Police and Fire Department units responded to four different calls for vehicle fires between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., involving damage to six vehicles. Two incidents occurred in the 400 block of Carrollwood Road, causing damage to a Cadillac at one location and a Chrysler at another. In the 300 block of Carroll Island Road units were dispatched to a boat fire but discovered that a Jeep parked behind the boat was actually set on fire. In the 3700 block of White Pine Road an Infiniti and a Suzuki motor bike were set on fire, causing additional fire damage to a Chrysler parked nearby.

Detectives believe that these incidents may be related due to the time frame and area of the fires, but have not yet determined if one or more suspects are responsible for the fires.

The Baltimore County FID unit is continuing the investigation into these fires. Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 410-307-2020.

The First Annual Baltimore County Police Department Flag Football Camp is scheduled for July 23 to 27. Precinct 12/Dundalk will host the camp from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dundalk High School located at 1901 Delvale Avenue in Dundalk, 21222.

The week-long camp focuses on underprivileged and at-risk youth from ages 8 to 14. It is free to participants nominated by local schools, recreation councils and other programs. There will be "skills and drills" for the participants, as well as scrimmage games.

Officer McElfish, a 24-year veteran of the department, and Officer Minton, a 15-year veteran of the department, will inaugurate this yearly event.

The idea behind the camp is to bridge the gap between police officers and the young people in the area through sport. Seeing officers as people, not just uniforms, changes the perception many people have, especially our youth.

Two men suffered gunshot wounds during a shooting inside a Dundalk residence early this morning.

Police responded for a man with a gunshot wound in the 1900 block of Frames Road just after midnight and discovered a second man, also suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Both men were transported to local hospitals for treatment and are expected to survive their injuries.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Violent Crimes Unit are continuing to investigate the circumstance surrounding the shooting but believe this was a targeted incident and there is no further danger to the community.

Update, July 25, 11 a.m.:

As of 11 a.m., career and volunteer swiftwater teams have responded to 32 water-related incidents since unusually heavy rains began last Saturday.

The central and western portions of the county are most affected by this weather system. The latest calls for service -- mostly involving vehicles stuck in water -- occurred at Bentley Road and the NCR Trail, 21120; Kratz Lane and Ridge Road, 21244; Falls Road and Newstead Lane, 21209; 11000 block York Rd., 21030; and 1300 block Wiseburg Rd., 21161.

No injuries have been reported.

National Weather Service flood warnings remain in effect through 4 p.m. today. Do not drive through standing water, avoid flood-prone areas and stay away from swollen creeks and streams.

Original release:

As of 11 a.m. today, swiftwater teams from the Texas Fire Station and two volunteer companies have responded to 27 incidents related to the unusually heavy rains that began Saturday.

The National Weather Service estimates that four to eight inches have fallen across our region since then. Radar indicates significant moisture heading in a northerly direction that will add to those totals; two to three additional inches are forecast over the next two days.

Most of the water-related incidents occurred on the west side of the County: three in the Cockeysville area, eight in Pikesville, three in Owings Mills, five in Halethorpe and six in Woodlawn. Two incidents occurred in the Dundalk area.

Fifteen of the 27 calls involved rescues or assists -- situations where victims needed first responders' help in getting to safety. No serious injures have been reported.

Swiftwater teams are located at the Texas Fire Station and the Kingsville and Arbutus volunteer companies.

"Turn Around, Don't Drown"

All but one of the 27 water-related calls involve vehicles trapped in floodwaters.

Motorists should use extreme caution when driving in these conditions. Because the ground is saturated, heavy rains will run off and flood roadways. Flash flooding -- which occurs suddenly -- is particularly dangerous. Do not attempt to drive through floodwaters; turn around, don't drown.

Nighttime conditions are particularly hazardous because flooded roads are difficult to see. Motorists can find themselves trapped in water that they didn't realize was there.

Avoid traveling at night, if possible. Avoid low-lying routes and routes that involve bridges; streams are swollen, and in these conditions waters can rise to bridge level.

Pedestrians should avoid walking through floodwaters and stay away from streams and creeks.

The Baltimore County Fire Department has been awarded a federal grant of nearly $682,000 to purchase three state-of-the-art bariatric medic units.

The new bariatric medic units (ambulances) will be strategically placed across the county and will be available for dispatch regardless of location of the medical emergency.

Bariatric medicine is a specialty focusing on the needs of patients who are overweight or obese. These medic units will be specially equipped to meet the specific needs of bariatric patients.

"Our mission is to treat every patient with expertise and dignity and to make every patient as comfortable as possible," said Fire Chief Kyrle W. Preis III. "We appreciate the efforts of Fire Department personnel and our federal representatives in securing funds to help us fulfill that mission."

The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency under the 2017 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The terms of the grant include a 10 percent contribution by Baltimore County.

Receipt of the award is pending approval by the County Council.

Baltimore County Police arrested a substitute teacher yesterday morning on child abuse and sexual assault charges.

Scott Thomas McCruden (31) of the 600 block of Orems Road in Essex is charged with Sex Abuse of a Minor, 3rd Degree Sex Offense, 4th Degree Sexual Contact, and 2nd Degree Child Abuse of a Child in his Custody. A warrant for his arrest was issued by the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County on July 19, which was served at his home around 6:30 a.m. yesterday morning.

McCruden was hired by the parents of a 9-year-old girl as a babysitter and tutor in September 2017, but they ended his employment by May 2018, when their child began to exhibit signs of anxiety and distress at times when McCruden was scheduled to babysit.

Police were also contacted at that time, and an investigation into McCruden revealed he had inappropriate physical and sexual contact with the girl while she was in his care at both his home and her's, and in his vehicle at times when he picked her up from school. The abuse ranged from "disciplinary" pinching to inappropriate touching and pinching of the girl's buttocks.

McCruden was temporarily employed by Baltimore County Public Schools as a substitute teacher between September 2017 and June 2018, working mainly in schools in eastern Baltimore County for varying grades and subjects. He is no longer employed by Baltimore County Public Schools.

Police and school officials do not believe that McCruden had any inappropriate behavior with minors while working in the capacity of a substitute teacher on school property. Still, detectives from the Baltimore County Police Crimes Against Children Unit urge parents to speak with their children about notifying a trusted adult if they believe they have experienced any type of inappropriate touching and contact police if they believe their child has had any inappropriate contact with McCruden.

McCruden is presently being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on no bail status pending a bail review hearing later today.

On July 26, a large scale training exercise will take place at the North Point Government Center located at 1747 Merritt Boulevard 21222 (at the corner of Merritt Boulevard and Wise Avenue) from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The exercise is the culmination of a three-day Active Threat Integrated Response Course (ATIRC) that improves integration between law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) during their response to an active shooter/assailant critical incident.

All of the activities will be contained on the grounds of the North Point Government Center. The public is being made aware that there will be an increased presence of emergency response vehicles and personnel at this location, and is being asked to avoid this area during the training exercise so as to not interfere with the activities.  

On July 24, 2018, Baltimore County police officers were in the area of the 1600-block of Forrest Park Avenue, 21207, when they observed a man, later identified as Spencer Moore driving a silver Lexus. Officers saw Moore get out of the Lexus and walk up to a white Chevrolet pickup truck in the same parking lot. Moore handed an object to the driver of the pickup truck and then started to walk back to the Lexus. Officers immediately recognized this as a narcotics transaction. Spencer Moore and the driver of the Chevrolet, later identified as Keon Bennett were detained to continue the investigation. A subsequent search of the Lexus revealed three pill bottles containing over 100 Oxycodone pills. Two of the bottles inside the car did not have prescription labels attached. Officers located Marijuana on the driver of the pickup truck and Oxycodone pills inside the truck. Both Moore and Bennett were arrested at the scene.

County officers learned that Spencer is an officer with the Baltimore Police Department. Moore has been charged with possession with the intent to distribute a narcotic, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and obtaining a prescription by fraud. He is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Department of Corrections.

Keon Bennett has been charged with two counts of possession with the intent to distribute a narcotic, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of over 10 grams of Marijuana, and obtaining a prescription by fraud. He is being held on $50,000 bail at the Baltimore County Department of Corrections.

Baltimore Police worked in coordination with County officers during this investigation.

Baltimore County businesses and residents affected by the May 27, 2018 severe flooding may apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The SBA recently made the loans available in response to a letter from Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA for portions of Maryland affected by the May 27 weather event.

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers

A Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Catonsville, staffed by SBA customer service representatives, will open next Tuesday, July 31 through Tuesday, August 7. Prospective applicants for aid will be able to ask questions about the disaster loan program and receive assistance with loan applications.

Baltimore County’s Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be located at the Catonsville Senior Center, 501 N. Rolling Rd., 21228. The hours are as follows:

• Tuesday, July 31, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 1, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, August 2, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday, August 3, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, August 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Monday, August 6, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 7, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Types of Assistance

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million through the SBA to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered physical property damage.

Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.

Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes.  Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 3.61 percent for businesses, 2.5 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 1.938 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amount and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

How to Apply

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.

Businesses and individuals may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Loan applications can be downloaded at sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

UPDATE (July 26, 2018 12:44 p.m.):

Police have identified the man killed in a shooting on Beechfield Avenue yesterday afternoon as John Ivan Eversley (38) of the 4400 block of Old Frederick Road, 21229. Detectives are still investigating to determine a motive in this shooting.

Anyone with information should contact police at 410-307-2020. Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit continue to investigate this crime.

Original Release (July 25, 2018 3:32 p.m.):

On July 25, 2018 at 1:18 p.m., Baltimore County Police received a call for a shooting in the 800-block of Beechfield Avenue, 21229. When officers arrived at the scene, they found an adult male inside a vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased shortly afterwards. If anyone has any information about this homicide, please call 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