Serious crime in Annapolis reported lowest in 35 years
Serious crime in Maryland's capital city dropped last year to the lowest levels in 35 years, according to recently released Annapolis Police Department statistics. In 2009, homicides in Annapolis were down 50 percent, robbery 37 percent and aggravated assault 15 percent from the previous year's statistics. "These numbers demonstrate a continuing significant decrease in crime in Annapolis," said Police Chief Michael A. Pristoop. The city's 1,224 serious crimes - including homicide, aggravated assault, rape and some theft and property crimes - represents the fewest since the city began reporting the statistics in 1975. The total number of violent crimes in Annapolis decreased 24 percent and property crimes fell 38 percent over the 2008 totals.
- Nicole Fuller
Bill would put 'Home of Our National Anthem' on plates
Maryland license plates would lay claim to the state as "Home of Our National Anthem," if one state lawmaker has his way. State Sen. Larry Haines, a Republican who represents Carroll and Baltimore counties, introduced a bill that would put the slogan on all plates starting Oct. 1. Maryland last displayed a slogan on its standard-issue license plate in the mid-1980s, celebrating the 350th anniversary of the state's founding as a colony. Maryland native Francis Scott Key penned "The Star-Spangled Banner" almost 200 years ago after the British attacked Baltimore's Fort McHenry.
- Associated Press
Suspect in 8 bank robberies arrested in Temple Hills
Frederick County police say a multi-agency effort has led to the arrest of a 56-year-old man suspected of robbing eight banks between October and January. Earl Macvernon Pegram was arrested Thursday in Temple Hills. Police say he robbed banks in Glen Burnie, Crofton, Frederick, Waldorf and Falls Church, Va. In each robbery, Pegram told the teller to put money into a bag and never displayed a weapon, police said. After Comstar Federal Credit Union was robbed Dec. 4 in Frederick, investigators obtained video footage of the getaway car. Though the tag number wasn't visible, police determined they were looking for a 2002 Buick LeSabre with Maryland agricultural tags. That led them to a suspect. Pegram is being held at the Charles County jail.
- Associated Press
Salisbury police seek 3 in home robbery, 2 shootings
Salisbury police say they are searching for three men believed responsible for an apparent home robbery that left two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Police say one of the victims was treated and released from Peninsula Regional Medical Center and the other remained hospitalized Sunday with a gunshot wound to the chest. Lt. Scott Kolb says investigators believe robbery was the motive for the shootings Saturday night because the gunmen demanded money. Kolb says witnesses said all three appeared to be armed.
- Associated Press
2 in East Baltimore injured when house porch collapses
Two people were injured Sunday when the porch on a house in the Coldstream-Montebello-Homestead community collapsed, said a spokesman for the city Fire Department. Their names were not released. Shortly after 6 p.m., a man and a woman standing on the rear porch of a house in the 2000 block of E. 32nd St. fell about six feet to the ground when the porch suddenly collapsed, Capt. Roman Clark said. Clark said the pair suffered undetermined injuries and were taken by ambulances to Maryland Shock Trauma Center as a precaution. Clark said the owner of the property would be responsible for repairing the collapsed porch.
- Richard Irwin