St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office

Missing Person Elizabeth Margaret Webkind (W-F-18 years old) was last seen on 3/20/26 in Leonardtown.

Rt 5 north of 247 has been REOPENED

Road Closure - Motor Vehicle Accident - Rt 5 just north of Rt 247 in both directions.

On Feb. 26, 2026, at approximately 3 p.m., the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Alcohol Enforcement Unit conducted a series of alcohol compliance checks at licensed establishments across St. Mary’s County. The covert operation involved a 19-year-old confidential informant (CI) working under the supervision of Corporal Kristi Nelson of the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division. The CI, dressed in camouflage pants and a T-shirt, entered restaurants and retail establishments and attempted to purchase an alcoholic beverage to assess whether businesses were complying with Maryland’s age-verification laws. Cpl. Nelson, also in plain clothes, monitored the compliance checks. During the operation, they visited 13 businesses. Twelve establishments followed Maryland law and requested identification from the CI. One business failed to request identification or verify the CI’s age and proceeded with the sale of an alcoholic beverage. The businesses that passed the compliance check: 7th District Bar & Grill 36786 Bushwood Wharf Road, Bushwood Atrium Wine and Spirit 37680 Mohawk Drive, Charlotte Hall Captain Sam’s 22664 Colton Point Road, Bushwood Fred’s Liquors 30075 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall Leonardtown Wine & Spirits 25470 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown Lighthouse Liquors 30411 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall Merchants Lane Fine Wine & Spirits 40845 Merchants Lane, Leonardtown New Market Wine & Spirits 29233 Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville Race-N-In 26755 Stone Corner Lane, Mechanicsville St. Mary's Gas Station 23950 Colton Point Road, Clements Village Liquors 25731 Budds Creek Road, Chaptico Vino 2 Wine & Liquor: 30320 Triangle Drive, Charlotte Hall The business that did not pass the compliance check and failed to ask for any identification: Murphy's Town & Country 21270 Oakley Road, Avenue The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to enforcing alcohol laws to protect the health and safety of the community’s youth. Businesses are reminded of their responsibility to comply with state laws regarding the sale of age-restricted products.

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam in which individuals receive text messages falsely claiming to be a “Notice of Hearing – Traffic Violation” from a District Court. Recently, residents reported receiving a text message that appeared to be an official court notice, alleging an outstanding traffic violation and directing the recipient to scan a QR code to resolve the matter. The message created a sense of urgency and implied potential legal consequences if immediate action was not taken. These messages are fraudulent and are designed to trick individuals into clicking on malicious links or providing personal and financial information. The Sheriff’s Office reminds residents that official court notices are not served through unsolicited text messages. Legitimate communications regarding court hearings or traffic violations are delivered through official mail or in person, and courts do not request payments or sensitive information via text. Residents are encouraged to take the following precautions: •Do not click on links, open QR codes, or respond to unexpected text messages claiming to be from a court or government agency. •Do not provide personal, financial, or identifying information in response to unsolicited messages. •Verify any concerns by contacting the court directly using a trusted phone number or official website, not the contact information provided in the message. Members of the general public who have questions about potential scams like this can contact the Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division hotline at 410-528-8662 or toll-free 888-743-0023.

Deputies responded to 1605 calls for service across St. Mary’s County last week, continuing our commitment to protect and serve the community every day. Have information about a crime? You can share tips anonymously through Tip411: • Text: Send a message to 847411, start with “SMCSO”, add a space, then your tip • Online: Submit a tip at FirstSheriff.com/tips • App: Send a tip through the SMCSO app, available free in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store Statistics reflect information available at the time of publication. Figures are preliminary, provided for general informational purposes, and may change as incidents are reviewed, reclassified, or updated. #FirstSheriff

Road Closure Hurry Road in the area of Zach Fowler Road is closed as road crews are clearing a tree blocking the road.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 09:45PM nixle.us/H69T3

Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 12:00AM Tuesday nixle.us/H69PX

⚠️ St. Mary’s County is under a #TornadoWatch until 7pm. Due to anticipated severe storms, several county facilities and services will adjust operations, including St. Mary's Transit, Recreation & Parks, and more! 🌩️ ℹ️ Read the News Release for details: stmaryscountymd.gov/pio/docs/2026-…

Weather Alert: Tornado Watch for St. Mary’s County The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for St. Mary’s County until 7 p.m. this evening. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, heavy rain, and isolated tornadoes are possible. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone to stay alert and prepared, as weather conditions can change quickly. 🌪️ Safety Tips • Avoid travel during severe storms. Strong winds and heavy rain can make roads hazardous. • Stay weather aware. Monitor local forecasts and alerts from the National Weather Service. • Have a safe place ready. If a tornado warning is issued, move to the lowest level of your home, away from windows, ideally in an interior room. • Secure outdoor items such as trash cans, patio furniture, and decorations that could become airborne. • Charge phones and devices in case of power outages. • Report emergencies by calling 911. Deputies are monitoring conditions across the county and are ready to respond if needed. Please stay safe and keep an eye on the weather throughout the afternoon. #FirstSheriff

NAS Patuxent River Announces Staggered Departure due to Weather, Sets Mission Essential Personnel Only by 2 p.m. March 16, 2026 facebook.com/share/p/1DsLKZ…

On Sunday, March 15, at 4:35 p.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the intersection of Three Notch Road and Hollywood Road for a motor vehicle collision. The investigation determined that a 2016 GMC Sierra, operated by Austin Schultz of Leonardtown, was making a left turn from northbound Three Notch Road onto Hollywood Road at the traffic signal when a 2013 Toyota Camry, operated by 42-year-old Keith Mersing II of Charlotte Hall and traveling south on Three Notch Road, ran the red light. The Camry was reportedly using the shoulder to bypass vehicles stopped at the intersection when it struck the GMC pickup. Mersing and the front-seat passenger of his vehicle, 35-year-old Troy Coley of New Carrollton, were transported to a local hospital, where both succumbed to injuries sustained during the collision. The operator of the GMC pickup and a juvenile passenger were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Currently, it appears that excessive speed and reckless driving are contributing factors in the collision. Sheriff Steve Hall said, “Reckless and careless driving costs too many lives, and this crash also very nearly cost the lives of one of our deputies and a member of his family. When you get behind the wheel, you are entering into a social contract; you take on a responsibility to everyone else on the road. This crash is a sobering reminder that the choices drivers make in a matter of seconds can have life-altering consequences for many; our prayers are with the families of those who died.” The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Collision Reconstruction Unit has assumed the investigation. Anyone with information about the events leading up to this collision is asked to contact Sergeant Shawn Shelko at 301-475-4200, ext. 8147, or by email at shawn.shelko@stmaryscountymd.gov. Tipsters can also submit tips anonymously: •Text 847411: start your message with “SMCSO”, add a space, and then your tip. •Online: Submit a tip through the Sheriff’s Office website at FirstSheriff.com/tips. •App: Send a tip directly through the SMCSO app. Download the free app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. •Phone: For those who prefer to make a phone call, tips can also be shared through the Crime Solvers line at 301-475-3333. With Crime Solvers, you never have to give your name. You may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

AVOID THE AREA - MV Collision 235 @ Hollywood Rd - EXTENDED ROADWAY CLOSURE

Avoid the area - Motor Vehicle Collision - North and South Point Lookout Road in the area of Morganza Turner Road will be closed due to a Motor Vehicle Collision.

‼️UPDATE: The Animal Adoption & Resource Center closure has been extended through Monday, March 16‼️ The Center is expected to reopen on Tuesday, March 17. If you find a stray animal, visit stmaryscountymd.gov/LFpets or call (301) 475-8018. 🔗: stmaryscountymd.gov/pio/docs/2026-…

March 12, 2026 - CORRECTION- The previous version of this release contained an incorrect spelling of the suspect’s first name. The correct spelling is Vanecleus.

On Monday, March 9, at approximately 9:30 p.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office heard gunfire while conducting proactive patrol operations in the Lexington Park area and immediately responded to Bunker Hill Drive. Upon arrival, deputies located a red Chevrolet Equinox with the passenger-side window broken out. Deputies attempted to speak with the driver; however, the driver fled the area, and deputies pursued. During the pursuit, deputies observed the driver throw an object from the vehicle. The item was recovered and identified as a loaded .223-caliber, semi-automatic short-barreled rifle (SBR) with a high-capacity magazine. Deputies continued the pursuit until the driver stopped the SUV in front of a residence, where he was taken into custody without further incident. During the investigation, deputies located several .223-caliber shell casings on Bunker Hill Drive. No injuries were reported. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as Vanecalus Quntya Alexander, 38, of Lexington Park. Alexander was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown and charged with eight counts, including: •Wear/carry/transport a loaded handgun on their person •Wear/carry/transport a handgun on person •Wear/carry/knowingly transport a loaded handgun in a vehicle on public roads •Wear/carry/knowingly transport a handgun in a vehicle on public roads •Possession of a regulated firearm after having been convicted of a felony •Possession of ammunition after being prohibited •Knowingly possessing a regulated firearm after being convicted of a disqualifying crime •Reckless endangerment The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Deputy First Class Preston Dixon at 301-475-4200, ext. 8168, or by email at Preston.Dixon@stmaryscountymd.gov. Tipsters can also submit tips anonymously: •Text 847411: start your message with “SMCSO”, add a space, and then your tip. •Online: Submit a tip through the Sheriff’s Office website at FirstSheriff.com/tips. •App: Send a tip directly through the SMCSO app. Download the free app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. •Phone: For those who prefer to make a phone call, tips can also be shared through the Crime Solvers line at 301-475-3333. With Crime Solvers, you never have to give your name. You may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

UPDATE (3/11/2026) Savanna Pamela Blagmon has been located and is safe. The original post for the recent missing juvenile, Blagmon, has been edited so that the photo and information is not circulated any further. If your page has shared the original missing persons post, we respectfully ask that you remove it to help protect the juvenile’s privacy. Thank you.

Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a stabbing that occurred Tuesday at Great Mills High School. At approximately 12:15 p.m., School Resource Officer Corporal Gerard Muschette requested an ambulance for a 19-year-old male suffering from a single stab wound to the torso. The victim was flown from the scene to an area hospital with injuries that appear to be non-life-threatening. An immediate investigation was initiated, and a 17-year-old male suspect was taken into custody without incident. The student was charged as an adult with assault, first- and second-degree, and possession of a folding pocketknife on school grounds. Law enforcement agencies are prohibited from publicly identifying juveniles due to legal protections that safeguard their identities throughout the judicial process. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division have assumed the case. Anyone who has not yet given a statement is asked to contact Detective Helen Deitrich at 301-475-4200, ext. 8066, or by email at Helen.Deitrich@stmaryscountymd.gov. Tipsters can also submit tips anonymously: •Text 847411: start your message with “SMCSO”, add a space, and then your tip. •Online: Submit a tip through the Sheriff’s Office website at FirstSheriff.com/tips. •App: Send a tip directly through the SMCSO app. Download the free app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. •Phone: For those who prefer to make a phone call, tips can also be shared through the Crime Solvers line at 301-475-3333. With Crime Solvers, you never have to give your name. You may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.