Two Men Arrested on Gun and Drug Charges in Rosedale

Arrest was made June 30


Maryland State Troopers announced two persons prohibited from possessing firearms were arrested on gun and drug charges during recent enforcement by a task force working along the border with Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

The first suspect is identified as Phillip J. Desmarais, 23, of Baltimore. He is charged with possession of a large amount of a controlled dangerous substance, wearing/carrying/transporting a handgun in a vehicle, transporting a loaded handgun, possession of a firearm and of ammunition while a prohibited person, possession of CDS not marijuana, obstructing/hindering an arrest and resisting arrest.

The second suspect is identified as David D. Genius, 23, of Baltimore, Md. He is charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance not marijuana, possession of a loaded handgun in a vehicle, possession of a handgun in a vehicle and possession of ammunition while a prohibited person.

On June 30, Maryland State Police Strike Force 7, a component of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, consisting of officers from the Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration, worked with uniformed state troopers from the JFK, Golden Ring, and Frederick barracks along Pulaski Highway in the area of the Baltimore County and Baltimore City line.

During a traffic stop, a uniformed trooper saw a clear bag with gel caps containing suspected fentanyl. A subsequent search led to the recovery of a loaded handgun, drug packaging materials and counterfeit cash.

Troopers contacted the Maryland Gun Center and it was determined both suspects were prohibited from possessing firearms. Both were arrested and charged with the gun and drug-related crimes.

Both suspects were transported to the Baltimore County Detention Center for processing and to await an initial appearance before a court commissioner. Both have been held without bond.

This and other ongoing enforcement is supported by funding from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services through the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN) initiative.

Vehicle Crashes into Sparrows Point House


-photo courtesy of NPEVFD-

The North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Company responded to an overnight vehicle crash into a house at the corner of Lincoln & Waldman avenues in Sparrows Point house.

A telephone pole was also heavily damaged and caused power loss to the immediate area.

Two patients were transported with non life threatening injuries to an area hospital.

There was no reported structural damage to the home and BGE responded for their repairs.

The accident took place in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 11.

Arrest Made After Essex Hit-and-Run


Police responded to the intersection of Eastern Boulevard & Old Eastern Avenue in Essex on Thursday, July 8 around 4:30 a.m.

A preliminary investigation revealed the driver of a 2018 Yongfu moped failed to stop at a red traffic light and entered the intersection. The driver of a 2015 Ford Fusion struck the moped and left the scene without rendering aid.

The driver of the moped was transported to an area hospital where she remains in critical condition.

Officers located the Ford and placed the driver under arrest. Taijah Aremoni Pope, (23), of the 3700 block of White Pine Road was charged with failure to immediately return and remain at the scene of an accident involving bodily injury.

The Baltimore County Police Crash Team continues to investigate this case.

White Marsh Woman Fatally Shot in Her Home


Baltimore County Police reported that 32-year-old Shaunya Green of Proctor Avenue in White Marsh was located inside her residence suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the upper body on Thursday, July 8 around 4:30 a.m. She was transported to an area hospital where she was later pronounced deceased. The alleged suspect remained at the scene.

Detectives determined the victim knew the suspect; and they were able to make a quick arrest. The suspect was identified as 29-year-old Gomezgeka L. Chisala. He has been charged with first degree murder in connection to the homicide of Green. Chisala is being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on a no-bail status pending a bail review hearing.

Baltimore County homicide detectives are continuing to investigate this case.

Police Need Help in Rosedale Burglary Case


Baltimore County burglary detectives have requested the public’s help to identify a burglary suspect. The crime occurred on June 23.

Surveillance video shows the suspect moments after he burglarized a home in the 6000 block of Kenwood Avenue in Rosedale. The footage also recorded the suspect driving a red Pontiac Sunfire.

As the victim was doing yardwork, the suspect entered the property and stole the homeowner’s purse and phone. While the items have been recovered, the suspect has not.

Detectives from the Baltimore County Police Department are investigating this incident. If you have any information on the whereabouts of the suspect in this case, you are asked to contact detectives by calling 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous.

Tiki Lee’s Dock Bar to Host Shootout on the River


Tiki Lee’s Dock Bar in Sparrow Point will host Shootout on the River this weekend at its 4309 Shore Road location.

This event will bring top powerboat racers from across the country to participate in the first-ever sanctioned Shootout on the Chesapeake Bay’s tributary of Back River, Sparrows Point. The event is sanctioned by, American Power Boat Association (APBA) and Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA). Proceeds will benefit several charitable organizations.

This is a four-day event that will start on Thursday, July 8.through Sunday, July 11. In addition to the powerboats, music bands will be performing with other events.

Baltimore County Police has reported that Morse Lane will be closed from Wise Ave to Riversedge Way as a result of this event from July 8 to July 11. Morse Lane will be open to residents only – no through traffic for the duration of the event.

Parking for the event will be available at Value City at Eastpoint Mall, located at 7735 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224 and is free of charge. Tiki Lee’s will be running complimentary air conditioned Coach buses to and from Tiki & Value City.

For more information about Shootout on the River, go to the Tiki Lee’s Dock Bar website.

Hogan Announces VaxU Scholarship Promotion


Governor Larry Hogan announced the launch of the $1 million VaxU Scholarship Promotion, an incentive program to encourage 12- to 17-year-olds to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Winners will receive a $50,000 scholarship, which covers the equivalent of full tuition and fees at a public, in-state institution of higher education. The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) will jointly administer this initiative, which will select 20 winners through random drawings between now and Labor Day.

The governor made today’s announcement at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he was joined by University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay A. Perman and UMD President Darryll J. Pines.

“Promotions like this are just one more way that we are reinforcing the importance of getting every single Marylander that we can vaccinated against COVID-19, especially our young people,” said Governor Hogan. “If any of our 12- to 17-year-olds or their parents needed another good reason, then now they can get vaccinated for a chance to win a $50,000 college scholarship.”

Beginning July 12, the VaxU Scholarship Promotion will randomly select two winners per week for eight weeks. On Monday, September 6—Labor Day—four winners will be selected. To qualify for the scholarship, students must both live and be vaccinated in Maryland.
“This is an outstanding and innovative approach to incentivize our youth to learn more about the countless higher education opportunities that are available to them here in Maryland,” said MHEC Secretary Dr. James D. Fielder. “We are proud to continue paving the way for access and success of their higher education goals.”

The award will be distributed in the form of a Prepaid College Trust or College Investment Plan from Maryland529, and can be utilized in accordance with the guidelines for those programs:

• A 4-Year Maryland Prepaid College Trust Account will be funded for a winner who is between the ages of 12-14 at the time of the drawing.
• A Maryland College Investment Plan contribution will be awarded to individuals between the ages of 15-17 at the time of the drawing.

“When a Marylander who is 12-17 years old is vaccinated, they, their family, friends, and countless others are protected from COVID-19, and those young community members become role models to their peers who are still unvaccinated,” said MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “To date, more than half of our 12- to 17-year-olds have been vaccinated, and VaxU is just one more tool we’re using to reach this critical audience.”
Winners will be selected utilizing the same random number generator used for the $2 Million VaxCash Promotion. Similar to that promotion, the winners of the VaxU promotion will be permitted to remain anonymous. However, the city or county of the winner will be published.

“For me, the governor’s announcement represents a perfect marriage: We’re helping secure the health of our young people while giving them a low- or no-cost college education,” said Chancellor Perman. “I’m so grateful that our state has made COVID vaccination a public health priority and that we’re embracing creative ways to protect the safety of all Marylanders.”

“Higher education provides opportunities for the next generation of Marylanders to tackle the grand challenges of our time and thrive in an ever-evolving world,” said President Pines.

“The promise of higher education opportunities as an incentive to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is an outstanding effort from Governor Hogan. We applaud his ongoing commitment to research-based, data-driven decisions throughout this public health crisis, and the University of Maryland is a proud partner in working to end the pandemic.”
Federal COVID-19 relief funds will be used to cover the cost of the program. For more information, visit the MHEC VaxU Scholarship Promotion website.

County to Turn Perry Hall Farm Into Park


-photo courtesy of County Councilman David Marks-

Baltimore County Councilman David Marks announced that the county is purchasing the Bierman farm property in Perry Hall and will turn it into a park.

The 22-acre property is located east of Gerst Road. Members of the White Marsh Rec. Council cleaned out the old barns last month and the old farming equipment is heading to public auction.

“Earlier this year, Baltimore County purchased the 22-acre Bierman farm for a new park. Preparations are underway for settlement,” Marks said.

“The property is closed to the public – I had permission to view the land with the White Marsh Recreation Council, which is helping to remove fencing.”

County Postpones Inspector General Legislation


Baltimore County officials announced that the Olszewski Administration will be postponing plans to introduce legislation to create an oversight board for the Office of the Inspector General and will engage in a robust stakeholder engagement process to review proposed updates to rules governing the newly created office.

County spokesperson Sean Naron on Monday issued the following statement:

“Our administration is proud to be the most open, accessible and transparent in Baltimore County’s history. In just a few years we have taken unprecedented steps forward, including creating and expanding the County’s first-ever Inspector General.

We remain committed to filling gaps in the current law to provide appropriate accountability measures, but we want to ensure all concerns are thoughtfully considered.

In the coming weeks, we will engage a diverse group of expert stakeholders to review and strengthen proposed policies so that we can help ensure the success of this important office.”

Fifth District Councilman David Marks released a statement supporting Olszewski decision to postpone the legislation.

“I have supported the creation of a Baltimore County Inspector General since 2018,” Marks said.

“Many of you have contacted me about proposed legislation that would have modified this office. I purposely used the Fourth of July holiday to listen to many of your comments. I am pleased the County Executive will postpone the introduction of this bill and create a workgroup instead, a concept I recommended.

“Our government is based on a system of checks and balances. I look forward to legislation that improves accountability throughout county government.”