Ooh, counterfeit money!

Reports the BPD,

On January 21st, at about 645 hrs. Officers from the Central District Operations Squad observed a gold Pontiac grand prix in the 1600 block of Mcculloh street believed to be involved in suspected drug activity.

The officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop at which time the vehicle then fled. The officers were able to follow the vehicle and give out a good description to assiting units. As the vehicle crossed into the Western District, BPD's Violent Crime Impact Section assisted in following the vehicle.

The occupants bailed out and ran into 2312 Avalon ave. Officers secured the dwelling at which time observing drugs in plain view. A warrant was obtained and $22,245.00 in cash, of which $15,580.00 was counterfeit, was seized along with 7 Ziplock bags of heroin and a 1/2 oz of raw heroin.

It gets better

Union officials believe convicted sex offender Dennis McLaughlin was dipping into sick leave reserved for employees with lengthy illnesses so he could keep getting paid while in prison.

Have you seen...

Eighteen-year-old Logan Krywucki, last seen in the area of Windsor Mill Road and Lord Baltimore Drive.

Two murders connected by a car

A man posing as a maintenance worker tried to rob a guest at the Harbor Marriott

"Maryland State Police say the Baltimore police department is the first agency in the state to make more than 100 arrests using the statewide DNA database"

Dropped

Prosecutors drop charges against union square community activist Chris Taylor, the result of a controversial arrest. More from the Sun

Creepin and peepin

"Md. bill would outlaw keeping a corpse in freezer"

Aieee! County police are ISO a man who's been breaking into women's homes to watch them sleep at night. Wonder if there's any relation to this peeper from last August? Or if he's friends with this guy? Or swaps notes with Clinton Gardner or Brian Eui Hong?

The slow, slow wheels of justice...

Trial began for "Skinny Suge" and a co-defendant in federal court today. It's been two years since "Suge" was indicted, and three years since he immortalized the chestnut, "I hope you [snitches] catch AIDS in your mouth and your lips the first thing that die."

Two murderers

From the SAO, links added:

At a hearing today before his scheduled trial was to begin, Quadir Butcher, 20, of the 2200 block of E. Mount Holly Street pled guilty to first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence.

Judge Sylvester Cox sentenced Butcher to life in prison suspend all but 40 years for the murder count and a concurrent 20 years in prison, first five years without the possibility of parole for the handgun count and five years probation.

On June 2, 2008, witness(es) identified Quadir Butcher as the person responsible for a double shooting in the 3100 block of Clifton Avenue. The two victims were on the porch of their residence at approximately 8:30PM that day when Butcher approached them, produced a handgun and shot the first victim, Derrell Smith in the neck. The other victim was shot in the abdomen and leg and survived. Derrell Smith died later at University of Maryland Shock Trauma.

...so, mathletes, how many years will Mr. Butcher actually serve? Also ....

A Baltimore jury convicted Demetrius Smith, 26, of the 400 block of Parrish Street, yesterday of first-degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. The trial lasted one week and jurors deliberated approximately two-and-a-half hours before reaching its verdict.

Judge Timothy J. Doory scheduled sentencing for February 22, 2010 at which time Smith faces a maximum possible prison term of life plus 20 years.

On March 24, 2008 at approximately 8:50 a.m. officers responded to the 400 block of Stricker Street were they found the victim, Robert Long, lying on the ground shot twice in the head. The victim died from his injuries and an autopsy determined that the cause of death was homicide. Witnesses were located who identified the Smith as the person who shot and killed Long. Additionally, witnesses were able to provide information regarding the motive of the murder; Smith was a drug dealer and Long found Smith’s heroine {sic} stash while rehabbing an abandoned house on Parrish Street. Long took the drugs and shortly thereafter Smith located him and walked him out to a secluded area in a local park and killed him.

On July 12, 2008 Smith posted $350,000 bail following a bail review hearing in which the State argued that Smith should be held without bail. On August 27, 2008 Smith allegedly shot a victim in the leg during a street robbery in the 400 block of S. Parrish Street. The victim survived and Smith’s attempted murder trial is also scheduled to begin February 22, 2010.

And don't miss this week's CP cover feature: "Rising Tide: Baltimore's 2009 homicide toll goes against national trends by going up"

9

Raymond Gibson, 21, shot to death at 2:45 in the afternoon on N. Caroline Street (reported as the 1400 block by police and the 1700 block by the Sun.)

A city police officer has been found guilty by a trial board of misconduct with a prostitute. Allegedly her transported her from the city to county, then took her to a motel.

The city that (almost) never works

Peter Herman tells the story of the first vicitim of the Guilford attacker who was mugged at knifepoint by the same teen recently arrested for a brazen adbuction. Even though she was willing to testify againt her attacker, prosecutors took a plea deal!

Meanwhile, a DPW employee says when she informed her superiors that a city worker was on the sex offender registry and shouldn't be working in the field, she was told to shut up or face the consequences.

The county 14-year-old wanted for shooting a 13-year-old has turned himself in.

Attorneys to collect $3 million for prosecuting Tyson class-action suit

Media Blabber

Like tales of newsroom drama? You'll ♥ "Post Apocalypse: Inside the messy collapse of a great newspaper"

Also see: "Can newspaper muckraking carry on in nonprofits?"

How to get paid while doing time for sex offense part III

It helps to have friends in high places

7

View Larger MapUnidentified man stabbed to death at West Franklin and Paca Streets, Fenton has a picture of the scene

Four senior ladies home-invaded for their prescription meds in Edgewood

On MLK day, mayhem on MLK Blvd

6

View Larger Map
Unidentified Man, 2304 W. North Ave., shot at about 5:30 a.m.

How can shootings be down but murders up? "Percentage of victims being shot in the head at close range on the rise"

Mary Pat Clarke: Guilford and Oakenshawe will "track every stage of this perennial assailant [John Couplin]’s processing through a system which has failed us once."
.. Once?!

"Gay man is victimized twice, by killer and state"

It's like my iPod stuck on replay...

Geez, how many times have we heard this story before?
Alleged Guilford abductor John Couplin has been arrested guess how many times in the past 5 years? Oh go on, guess. Hint: cutting deals with the state had him out over, and over, and over, over, and over, and over, over, and over, and over, over, and over, and over, over, and over, and over, over, and over again. And two more times besides. Of his most recent case, the SA's office says "the only evidence in the 2008 robbery was the victim's identification from a photo array." How much more would you need or expect to have from an armed street robbery? Haven't people been given the death penalty with as much?

Does prison pay?

Not only was cop impersonating sex offender Dennis McLaughlin let out of jail barely halfway through his sentence for molesting a minor, but the city is now investigating if he was still on the city payroll while in jail.

A Week in Charles Village

Thanks, Buz! Stolen "herbs," a brick thrown at a driver, a female mugger .. and as always lots of car windows broken for GPS systems.

Robbery (Unarmed) – 200 blk. E. 28th Street 1/6/10 10:55 pm
Property Taken: Bag, ID, Personal Papers, iPod, Travel Book, and Various Herbs
Two suspects approached the victim and knocked her to the ground. Suspect # 1 then wrestled with the victim taking her bag containing the above listed property. The suspects then fled S/B on Guilford Ave.

Robbery (Unarmed) – 2400 blk. N. Charles Street 1/9/10 4:00 pm
Property Taken: $80
The suspect approached the victim demanding his wallet. The victim stated that he did not have a wallet. The suspect then stated that she had a weapon, the victim handed the suspect his money. The victim attempted to keep the money from the suspect. The suspect then struck the victim multiple times and fled with the property.

Burglary (Residential) - 3200 blk. Abell Ave. 1/30/10 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Property Taken: Laptop, PS2, Games, Projector, and 40 DVD’s
An unknown broke the front door glass at the location to gain entry. The suspect fled the location with the above listed property through the same entry point.

Burglary (Residential) – 3100 blk. N. Calvert Street 12/27/09 11:37 pm
Property Taken/Recovered: Jewelry Box, Jewelry
An unknown suspect entered through a rear bathroom window. Upon entry the suspect removed the above listed property. The victim was home during the time of this incident and was able to flee the location and notify the police. The suspect fled the location however was located and arrested by the responding officer. The property was recovered.

Burglary (Residential) – 200 blk. E 30TH Street 1/8/10 6:30 pm – 1:30 pm (next day)
Property Taken: Laptop, DVD Player, TV, AND Camera
An unknown suspect entered through an unlocked rear window. The suspect then removed the above listed property and fled through the same POE.

Burglary (Commercial) – 2400 blk. N. Charles Street 1/6/10 6:50 am
Property Taken: 25” Security System Monitor
An unknown suspect broke a glass pane to enter the rear door, reached in and unlocked the door and entered. Upon entry the suspect removed the above listed property and fled the location.

Aggravated Assault – 2600 blk. Barclay Street 1/6/2010 4:10 pm
The victim was driving at the location when an unknown suspect threw a brick at the driver side window causing same to shatter. The victim was not injured during the incident.

Burglary (Residential) – 3300 blk. Guilford Ave. 1/4/10 7:45 am – 6:00 pm
Property Taken: Dell Laptop, LCD HD TV An unknown suspect broke a window and entered. Once inside, the suspect removed the above property and fled through the rear door. No witnesses.

Burglary (Residential) – 2900 blk. Calvert Street 1/6/10 3:00 pm – 2:00 am
Property Taken: XBOX Adapter, XBOX Games, IPod, Bracelet and Coin Currency
An unknown suspect broke the rear 3rd Floor window to gain entry. Upon entry the suspect removed the above listed property and fled with same through same POE.

Burglary (Residential) – 3000 blk. Greenmount Ave. 1/7/10 11:20 am
No Property Taken
An unknown suspect forced the rear door of the vacant dwelling to gain entry. An unknown caller advised 911. Upon police response the suspect was located inside of the dwelling and was placed under arrest.

Burglary (Commercial) – 2400 blk. Saint Paul Street 1/5/10 1:20 am – 2:20 am
Property Taken: Unknown
An unknown suspect kicked in the door of the business and made entry. The suspect fled the location with an unknown amount of property. No witnesses.

Larceny from Auto – 2600 blk. Saint Paul Street 1/5/10 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Property Taken: Tom Tom GPS
The suspect broke the front window and removed the above listed property.

Larceny from Auto – 2100 blk. N. Charles St. 1/5/09 8:00 pm- 10:15 am (next day)
Property Taken: GPS System
An unknown suspect broke the rear window to the victims 2007 Chevy Malibu and removed the above listed property.

Larceny from Auto – 2300 blk. N. Calvert St. 1/3/10 3:00 pm – 2:10 pm (next day)
Property Taken: GPS Mount
The suspect broke the passenger side window to the victims 2006 Chevy Aveo and removed the above listed property. No witnesses

Larceny from Auto – 2500 blk. Guilford Ave. 1/6/10 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Property Taken: Garmin GPS System
The suspect broke the window to the victims 1999 Nissan Maxima and removed the above listed property.

Larceny from Auto – 100 blk. E. 30TH Street 1/5/10 10:00 pm – 12:30 pm (next day)
Property Taken: Tom Tom GPS
The suspect broke the passenger side window to the victims 2005 Jeep Liberty and removed the above listed property.

Larceny from Auto – 2700 blk. Maryland Ave. 12/28/09 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Property Taken: Monkey Wrench, Screw Driver
An unknown suspect pushed an open window to the victims 1986 Mazda Truck, MD Tag 1427L2 and removed the listed property.

Campus Safety and Security

Weekly Campus Crime Report
January 4, 2010 – January 11, 2010

On Campus

ARREST – Robbery – Outside the Rear of Shaffer Hall – On Jan. 6th at 9:00 PM, a non-affiliated heavily intoxicated male holding his hands in his pocket as if armed approached a sophomore undergraduate, made threatening remarks and demanded money. The student handed over $13 cash and notified Campus Security as the suspect fled on foot. The student was not injured. Campus officers located the suspect in a basement stairwell off the 3200 Blk. of Hargrove St. where Baltimore Police arrested him on being positively identified by the victim. The victim’s cash was recovered from the suspect. The arrested person, a 19-year old non-affiliate, was charged with armed robbery and assault on a campus police officer.

Theft – NEB 218-B – Between Nov. 1st at 8:00 AM and Jan. 7th at 2:30 PM, an LED video projector was taken from its mounting bracket inside an unlocked conference room. Investigation continuing.

Theft – Bloomberg (Café) –Between Dec. 15th at 2:30 PM and Jan. 5th at 8:30 AM, a Café employee reported that 10 cups and 10 bags of potato chips were missing and sugar was spilled on the counter. After further investigation it was found that the lock on the cabinet was insufficient. The employee was advised to replace the lock with a more efficient lock.

Off Campus

Unarmed Robbery (of Non-Affiliate) – 2800 Blk. N. Calvert St. (east side) – On Jan. 6th at 10:55 PM, two unknown males, 20 – 25 years old, approached a non-affiliate from the rear, pushed her to the ground and forcibly took her handbag. The suspects ran south on Calvert St. to 28th St. and then ran south on Guilford Ave. The victim declined medical attention for a minor hand laceration. Baltimore Police and campus officers searched the area with negative results. Investigation continuing. See Security Bulletin WI-2 at www.jhu.edu/~security.

Thefts from Autos:

• 2800 Blk. Cresmont Ave. -- Between Jan. 8th at 9:00 PM and Jan. 9th at 10:30 AM, a GPS device was taken from the center console of a senior undergraduate’s parked vehicle. Entry had been gained by breaking the front passenger side window. Baltimore Police responded. Investigation continuing.

• 100 Blk. W. University Parkway (south side) – Between Jan. 8th at 10:30 PM and Jan. 9th at 10:00 AM, a radar detector was taken from the top of the dashboard of a non-affiliate’s parked pick-up truck. Entry had been gained by breaking the passenger side window. Baltimore Police responded. Investigation continuing.

Guilford Abduction details

.. from Hermann. You are all no doubt (too jaded to be) shocked that the 19-year-old arrested for the crime, John Couplin, "was convicted of robbing a Guilford woman at knifepoint in 2008, but took a plea deal, receiving 10 years in prison with all but about a year and a month [suspended]. Or in [other words], time served."