Baltimore County Police said that the body of a woman discovered October 7 on the parking lot of the former Rustic Inn in the 11400 block of Philadelphia Road in White Marsh has been identified as that of Da Laine Eldean Johnson (31) with no fixed address.
Author: eastbaltco
Eastside Counselors Named Best for Elementary, Middle & High Schools
The Baltimore County Association for Counseling and Development has named its 2020 school counselors and school counseling advocate of the year.
The association has presented the following honors:
Chapel Hill Elementary School’s Silvana Alsamadi – Elementary School Counselor of the Year
Sparrows Point Middle School’s Robin Taylor-Chadwick – Middle School Counselor of the Year
Perry Hall High School’s Stephanie Campbell – High School Counselor of the Year
In nominating Alsamadi, Chapel Hill Elementary Principal Nancy Hill wrote: “I find Mrs. Alsamadi’s most important and valuable quality the way she forms trusting relationships with students and parents, teachers and staff, and the administration. She leads with her heart, and her kindness, empathy, and true love of students shine through with every word she speaks and every action she takes to help our students (and staff).“
“This school year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Taylor-Chadwick’s leadership brought our teachers and staff together by keeping our students at the center of our decisions and leading with the heart first….,” wrote Sparrows Point Middle Principal Jennifer Gounaris. “During these unprecedented times, she supported school, community, and family partnerships by integrating academics, social emotional learning, family support, health, and safety throughout the school closure. This has included facilitating difficult conversations about making assumptions as to why a student may not be logging on for classes or submitting work and how that can lead to unhealthy judgments about a student and his or her family. As a woman of color in a majority white school, Ms. Taylor-Chadwick’s passion and conviction demonstrate true courage. Her authenticity, coupled with the relationships she has built, create conditions in which this message can be heard, and true change can occur. As a result, our most marginalized students feel that they belong, have adults who care about them, and have diverse opportunities in our building.“
In her nomination, Guerra wrote, “On March 15, 2020, due to COVID-19, the world stopped, and with it so did many students’ aspirations for the future. As the parent of a 2020 graduate from Loch Raven High school, … I can attest that Ms. Campbell went above and beyond her duty as a counselor by constantly reaching out to her students, not only regarding their college applications, but also to check on their mental and emotional health…. This year has been an extremely emotional year for the students and parents in the Class of 2020. However, thanks to Ms. Campbell, countless students now feel much more secure in such an insecure time.”
Guerra credits Campbell for offering extraordinary support in helping both her daughter and stepdaughter with their college choices and acceptances and for working diligently to educate underclassmen and their parents. Guerra wrote: “She understood as a mother does: that children’s’ futures are at stake.”
Nieves, the 2020 School Counseling Advocate of the Year, is the executive director of the BCPS Department of Social-Emotional Support.
Person Extricated from Vehicle in Rosedale Crash
Baltimore County Fire Department reported a two-vehicle accident overnight in Rosedale at the intersection of Pulaski Highway & 66 Street near the County/City line.
Crews reported one patient was extricated from vehicle and transported to hospital with life threatening injuries on Sunday morning around 7 a.m.
Dundalk Man Arrested on Federal Charges
– photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Justice-
The United States Department of Justice reported that Frank William Robertson Perry, age 39, of Dundalk, has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Perry has been identified by law enforcement as a member of the Boogaloo, Movement.
“Boogaloo” is a term referencing a violent uprising or impending civil war, and is sometimes used by militia extremists and racially or ethnically motivated extremists.
Perry was arrested late on Oct. 7. A virtual initial appearance was scheduled in U.S. District Court on Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson.
The arrest was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Timothy Jones of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.
According to the criminal complaint and court documents, a search warrant was executed at Perry’s residence, which he shares with his girlfriend.
Agents recovered from the bedroom: a black tactical vest containing two ballistic plates on the interior of the vest; two loaded rifle magazines located in pouches affixed to the exterior of the vest; a third loaded rifle magazine located on top of the vest; an AM-15 rifle which was partially concealed behind a nightstand; eight rounds of .223-caliber ammunition located in the nightstand; and other firearms-related accessories.
As detailed in the criminal complaint, Perry’s girlfriend was in the home at the time of the search and agreed to speak with agents. She advised that she had purchased the AM-15 lower receiver in April at the suggestion of Perry, who said that she needed the weapon for self-defense. She told agents that she learned Perry was obtaining firearms parts and shipping them to the residence in her name, and law enforcement found that the items were purchased using Perry’s credit card.
In addition, Perry’s girlfriend stated that she had not been involved in building the rifle—that was done by Perry and a neighbor. Perry was arrested while he was en route to the residence.
According to court documents, Perry is prohibited from possessing firearms and/or ammunition as a result of a previous felony conviction.
Investigation revealed that while the firearm is registered to Perry’s girlfriend, a review of her social media indicates no apparent interest or involvement with firearms, hunting, the Second Amendment, or the Boogaloo Movement, nor was there any record of Perry’s girlfriend ever having a hunting license, or any other firearms registered in her name.
In contrast, as detailed in the court documents, Perry’s social media reflects a substantial interest in firearms and militia extremist activities.
If convicted, Perry faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes the ATF, for their work in the investigation and thanked the Baltimore County Police Department for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen O. Gavin and P. Michael Cunningham, who are prosecuting the case.
Essex Man Fatally Shot on Welbrook Road
Baltimore County Police are continuing their investigation into a late night shooting that left one man dead.
Officers responded for the call of a shooting around 10 p.m. Friday night. The victim, an adult man, was located to the rear of the 500 block of Welbrook Road in Essex with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Medics responded and pronounced the man deceased at the scene. He is identified as Essex resident Zeshaan Ali Toppa (21) of the 300 block of Leeanne Road.
Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Homicide Unit are continuing their investigation into this shooting this morning. Anyone who may have information is asked to contact police by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward when submitting tips through Metro Crime Stoppers.
Essex ES Worker Tests Positive for COVID
Baltimore County Public Schools [BCPS] reported on Friday that a person associated with Essex Elementary School has recently tested positive for COVID-19.
The community is being alerted because many families were on the school campus on Wednesday, Oct. 7, to pick up Kindergarten bags and to pick up yearbooks.
Everyone who had close contact with the affected individual has been identified, notified, and will remain away from BCPS facilities until they are cleared to return by the Baltimore County Department of Health.
The school building has been cleaned in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols.
BCPS is working with the Baltimore County Department of Health to ensure that recommendations and guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health are in place.
On Friday, Oct. 9, the school system distributed a letter to Essex Elementary School families about the situation, urging students and community members to be diligent in monitoring their health and taking steps to prevent COVID-19 transmission, such as social distancing and wearing face coverings.
This is the second known case of COVID-19 at a BCPS location within a three-day span. It was reported that a Dundalk BCPS meal worker Tested Positive for the coronavirus on Oct. 7.
Dundalk Man Charged in Rosedale Incident
A warrant has been issued in connection with yesterday’s assault in Rosedale.
Michael Fink, 36, from the 7200 block of Holabird Avenue in Dundalk has been charged with one count of second degree assault on a warrant.
He is currently in Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in stable condition.
Police recovered two knives, a silver chain and a can of pepper spray from the crime scene. The investigation is on-going.
The officer involved is Police Officer First Class B. Brown #6211 with 2 years, 2 months of service in the Operations Bureau.
He is currently on administrative leave per policy. An internal investigation is also being conducted.
Faith and Blue Weekend Starts at Dundalk School
The Faith and Blue weekend kicked off with police officers from Dundalk’s Precinct 12 visiting Our Lady of Hope St. Luke’s School in Dundalk on Friday.
Chief Melissa Hyatt along with many other Officers from the precinct were present to greet students and assist with morning drop off at the school. The school released a statement on their social media page.
“We had many other guests including our Superintendents Dr. Hargens and Mrs. Ball. It was a beautiful celebration of faith, safety, and support. We were so proud of our Students greeting the officers with thank you’s and elbow bumps as they entered the building. McGruff the Crime Dog even stopped by to say hello,” said the statement.
“Our student council members presented the Officers with cards from our school family and snacks for their precinct. Deli-ish was kind enough to provide breakfast as well this morning. This was a true community effort. We are #DundalkStrong and love being apart of this community.”
Here is a full list of Faith and Blue weekend throughout eastern Baltimore County.
Police Involved Shooting in Rosedale
Baltimore County police reported a call for a suspect with a knife and blades this afternoon resulted in an officer-involved shooting that left one man injured.
Officers responded to the area of Philadelphia Road and Chesaco Avenue in Rosedale after a witness called 911 for an unknown suspect with a knife and blades cutting down branches on a tree, waving the blades around and throwing them in the roadway. While still enroute, officers received additional information that the suspect was in the middle of Philadelphia Road swinging around a long chain.
Officers located the suspect on Spring Avenue near Philadelphia Road. One officer exited his patrol vehicle and ordered the suspect to sit down. The suspect ignored commands and began running at the officer, who ordered the suspect to stop.
The officer began to move backwards but the suspect continued to advanced on him, at which time the officer fired his weapon, striking the suspect in the upper body. The suspect fled but was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit.
Officers rendered aid to the suspect, who was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center by responding medics, conscious and alert.
The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect was initially dropped off at a local hospital for a mental health evaluation but never went inside. He used public transportation to respond to the Rosedale area, where the witness observed him and called 9-1-1. Several weapons were recovered at the scene. The investigation into this incident is on-going.
Driver Dies in Carney Morning Accident
One man died following a fatal vehicle crash in Carney Thursday morning.
Police responded to the crash at Avondale Road and 6th Avenue just after 10:00 a.m. when a 2011 Nissan Versa traveling north on Avondale Road struck the curb, ran into a street sign and hit a BGE pole.
During the collision, the BGE pole broke and fell over, striking the roof of a 2018 Isuzu box truck, also traveling on Avondale Road. The driver of the box truck did not report any injuries.
The Driver of the Nissan, Mahmoud Abdel Karim Abbasi (92) of the 9300 block of Thornwood Drive of Parkville was transported to Franklin Square Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The Baltimore County Crash Team is continuing their investigation to determine the cause of this fatal crash.