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Hagerstown, MD

These Party City Stores To Shut Down In Maryland, Virginia Amid Massive Closure These Party City Stores To Shut Down In Maryland, Virginia Amid Massive Closure
These Party City Stores To Shut Down In Maryland, Virginia Amid Massive Closure Dozens of Party City locations in the DMV region are among the hundreds set to be closed as the company announced it is going out of business. Both Maryland and Virginia were hit hard by the reported closure, which will impact approximately 800 stores across the country. Party City was founded in 1986 and is the largest retailer of party goods in North America. In Maryland, there are 19 stores among those set to be shut down in these locations, according to the company's website:  Annapolis; Baltimore; Bel Air; Catonsville; Cockeysville; Columbia; Forestville; Frederick; Gaithersb…
Kitchen Blaze Sends Maryland Homeowners To Hospital For Smoke Inhalation: Fire Marshal Kitchen Blaze Sends Maryland Homeowners To Hospital For Smoke Inhalation: Fire Marshal
Kitchen Blaze Sends Maryland Homeowners To Hospital For Smoke Inhalation: Fire Marshal Two residents of a Washington County home were hospitalized after a kitchen blaze broke out, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal. Shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, first responders were called to a home in the 9900 block of Garis Shop Road in Hagerstown, where there was a reported grease fire.  Both residents of the home were taken to Meritus Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation injuries. They were later released into the care of family members. The fire, sparked by a grease fire on the kitchen stove, caused approximately $10,000 in damages—$3,000 to the struc…
Investigators ID Driver Wanted For Fatal Hit-Run Crash In Maryland; No Arrest Made (DEVELOPING) Investigators ID Driver Wanted For Fatal Hit-Run Crash In Maryland; No Arrest Made (DEVELOPING)
Investigators ID Driver Wanted For Fatal Hit-Run Crash In Maryland; No Arrest Made (Developing) A 37-year-old man is dead after a hit-and-run crash on Pennsylvania Ave in Hagerstown, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, which has identified a suspected driver. Deputies were called to the area between Maugans Avenue and North Pointe Drive at about 8:15 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13 where there were reports  reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.  When they arrived, they found Jonathan Andres Cruz, a Hagerstown resident, suffering from critical injuries sustained in the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. The vehicle involved fled t…
Woman Admits To Running Sex, Human Trafficking Ring Across Maryland: AG Woman Admits To Running Sex, Human Trafficking Ring Across Maryland: AG
Woman Admits To Running Sex, Human Trafficking Ring Across Maryland: AG A Baltimore woman has admitted to operating a sex and human trafficking ring across Maryland, authorities announced. Earlier this year, Kenika Danielle Leach, 33, was charged following a two-year multi-agency investigation, which helped the AG's Organized Crime Unit to identify nearly a dozen women from Hagerstown who were allegedly trafficked by her and her organization at hotels and motels throughout Maryland. On Friday, the Attorney General's Office announced she has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine) an…
Drug Bust In MD Leads To Seizure Of Stash Capable Of Causing 'Hundreds Of Lethal Doses:' Police Drug Bust In MD Leads To Seizure Of Stash Capable Of Causing 'Hundreds Of Lethal Doses:' Police
Drug Bust In MD Leads To Seizure Of Stash Capable Of Causing 'Hundreds Of Lethal Doses:' Police A multi-agency investigation in Northern Maryland led to the recovery of tens of thousands of dollars worth of dangerous drugs that could have killed hundreds and landed three behind bars, authorities announced on Tuesday. The Frederick High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) group executed search and seizure warrants in the 1000 block of Monroe Avenue in Frederick and on a vehicle in Hagerstown on Monday night, leading to a massive bust and multiple arrests. Those charged:  Jayden Isaiah Stephon, 20, of Hagerstown; Christion Sayyid Gill, 26, of Hagerstown; Jamil Nicholas Gardne…
Officers, Victim Identified In Police-Involved In-Custody Maryland Death Officers, Victim Identified In Police-Involved In-Custody Maryland Death
Officers, Victim Identified In Police-Involved In-Custody Maryland Death The Maryland Attorney General's Office has identified the officers and suspect involved in an in-custody death in Washington County. New details have been released by investigators following a probe into the death of Hagerstown resident Kelvin Lashawn, 46, after he was taken into custody over the weekend. According to investigators, at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Oct. 26, members of the Hagerstown Police Department executed a search warrant at a home in the 100 block of East Washington Street, where they found Lashawn outside who was handcuffed and placed into a cruiser. While in the backs…
Maryland Attorney General's Office Probing Police-Involved In-Custody Death Maryland Attorney General's Office Probing Police-Involved In-Custody Death
Maryland Attorney General's Office Probing Police-Involved In-Custody Death The Maryland Attorney General's Office has launched an investigation after a suspect died while in police custody in Washington County overnight.  The AG's Independent Investigation Division (IID) is probing a police-involved in-custody death that was reported on Saturday in Hagerstown amid an ongoing investigation, officials say. According to investigators, at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Oct. 26, members of the Hagerstown Police Department executed a search warrant at a home in the 100 block of East Washington Street, where they found a man outside who was handcuffed and placed into a…
Tractor-Trailer Driver Charged For Causing Fatal Chain-Reaction Crash On I-70: MD State Police Tractor-Trailer Driver Charged For Causing Fatal Chain-Reaction Crash On I-70: MD State Police
Tractor-Trailer Driver Charged For Causing Fatal Chain-Reaction Crash On I-70: MD State Police A truck driver from Georgia who got behind the wheel of his tractor-trailer while intoxicated is facing charges in Maryland for causing a fatal five-vehicle crash in Washington County. Ray Pittman, 62, was arrested on Thursday night after setting off a chain-reaction crash that resulted in the death of 27-year-old Hagerstown resident Morgan Suter. ** I-70 WB CLOSED at DUAL HWY / US40 / Exit 32 ** IAO I70 WB & BEAVER CREEK RD PERS INJURY COLLISION CO10 E03 RS10... Posted by Washington County MD Fire Calls on Thursday, October 3, 2024 Investigators say that shortly after 5 p.m.…
Estranged Boyfriend Set Fire To Ex's Mercedes In Maryland, Marshal Says Estranged Boyfriend Set Fire To Ex's Mercedes In Maryland, Marshal Says
Estranged Boyfriend Set Fire To Ex's Mercedes In Maryland, Marshal Says The man responsible for setting a woman's Mercedes on fire has been arrested, officials say. Crews from the Hagerstown Fire Department responded at approximately 5:15 a.m. on Sept. 8 to the 1000 block of Security Road to investigate a reported car fire. Firefighters responded to the scene, where they found the fire was already extinguished, though the vehicle suffered significant damage. The aftermath of the fire in Washington County. Office Of The Maryland State Fire Marshal According to investigators from the Maryland Fire Marshal, the cause of the fire was determined to be incen…
Retired Maryland Firefighter Recovering After Suffering Critical Injuries During SC Vacation Retired Maryland Firefighter Recovering After Suffering Critical Injuries During SC Vacation
Retired Maryland Firefighter Recovering After Suffering Critical Injuries During SC Vacation What started as a fun vacation with friends and family in Myrtle Beach left a beloved father and community member in Maryland laid up in a hospital bed with critical injuries. Rick Conrad, a retired firefighter and engineer from the Hagerstown Fire Department Local 1605 is facing a long road to recovery after suffering life-altering injuries that required double knee surgery to repair extensive damages. The hope, his family says, is that Conrad will be able to walk again, though that future is unclear the day after his surgery on Saturday, Sept. 14. "I’m not sure how to ask for help becaus…
Adult Caretaker Convicted Of 'Karate Chopping,' Abusing Autistic Man: Maryland AG Adult Caretaker Convicted Of 'Karate Chopping,' Abusing Autistic Man: Maryland AG
Adult Caretaker Convicted Of 'Karate Chopping,' Abusing Autistic Man: Maryland AG An adult caretaker responsible for assisting a vulnerable patient in Washington County has been convicted of assaulting an autistic man, the Maryland Attorney General's Office announced. Hagerstown resident Kehinde Oluwatobi Ososanya, 38, is facing more than a decade in prison after he was found guilty by a Washington County Circuit judge for his handling of a 30-year-old intellectually disabled patient he was responsible for. According to the AG, Ososanya, who worked at the Arc of Washington County residential program as a direct support professional, took the man to an urgent ca…
Peeping Tom Caught By Minor At Maryland Target Location Busted With Child Porn: Sheriff Peeping Tom Caught By Minor At Maryland Target Location Busted With Child Porn: Sheriff
Peeping Tom Caught By Minor At Maryland Target Location Busted With Child Porn: Sheriff A Peeping Tom who was caught holding a phone under the door at a changing room in Washington County was also busted with child pornography, according to the sheriff's office. In June, the sheriff's office was advised about a suspicious suspect who targeted an underage girl who was trying on clothing at Target on Cole Road in Hagerstown. According to investigators, the minor spotted a black cellphone being held under the door by an unknown man who was later identified as 48-year-old Hancock resident Terry Lee Smith. During the investigation, a search and seizure warrant was served at S…
Man Threatened To Burn Down Maryland Home During Dispute With Landlords: Fire Marshal Man Threatened To Burn Down Maryland Home During Dispute With Landlords: Fire Marshal
Man Threatened To Burn Down Maryland Home During Dispute With Landlords: Fire Marshal A dispute between a landlord and tenant turned fiery and landed one man behind bars in Washington County after he threatened to burn down the home he was renting, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal. Randy Sigler, 65, who was renting a home in Hagerstown, is facing up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for threatening arson during a dispute with his landlord and her husband. Officials say that shortly after 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17, members of the Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to a home in the 13600 block of Grandview Drive to investigate a reported dispute between …
Man Threatening To Blow Up, Burn Down Maryland Motel 6 Arrested: Fire Marshal Man Threatening To Blow Up, Burn Down Maryland Motel 6 Arrested: Fire Marshal
Man Threatening To Blow Up, Burn Down Maryland Motel 6 Arrested: Fire Marshal A 28-year-old man threatened to blow up a Maryland hotel he was staying at that led to a temporary evacuation, according to the fire marshal. Hagerstown resident Michael Sean Hafer is facing charges after being arrested for threatening to blow up and burn down the Motel 6 he was staying at in the 11300 block of Massey Boulevard. Additionally, investigators say that he also told guests he was making pipe bombs to carry out the nefarious - and hollow - scheme. At around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, members of the Washington County Sheriff's Office were called to the hotel when Hafer made …
Convicted Sex Offender Gets 30 Years For Sexually Exploiting, Abusing Minor In Maryland: Feds Convicted Sex Offender Gets 30 Years For Sexually Exploiting, Abusing Minor In Maryland: Feds
Convicted Sex Offender Gets 30 Years For Sexually Exploiting, Abusing Minor In Maryland: Feds A 47-year-old predator who preyed on minors will spend decades in prison for sexually exploiting children in Maryland, federal authorities announced. Hagerstown resident Matthew Molnar was sentenced to 30 years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release for the sexual exploitation of a child. According to prosecutors, in 2015, Molnar was convicted of possession of child pornography, and between 2020 and 2021, he was in touch with a minor in Florida, who he coerced into producing sexually explicit videos for him. He later traveled to visit the minor, claiming that he was 17 years…
Root For These 24 Maryland, Virginia Athletes Repping Team USA At Paris Olympics Root For These 24 Maryland, Virginia Athletes Repping Team USA At Paris Olympics
Root For These 24 Maryland, Virginia Athletes Repping Team USA At Paris Olympics A strong contingent of athletes and para athletes from Maryland and Virginia are headed to the Paris Olympics. A total of 24 athletes from Maryland and 15 from Virginia have all qualified for the Olympics and are ready to make their run at the gold when events kick off Friday, July 26. Athletes from Maryland set to sport the Red, White, and Blue during the Olympics:  Phoebe Bacon, of Chevy Chase, in swimming; Aaron Brooks, of Hagerstown, in wrestling; Kevin Durant, of DC, in basketball; Erin Gemmell of Bethesda, in swimming; Noah Hanssen, of Maryland, in wheelchair fencing; Jahmal …
Triple Homicide In Pennsylvania Lands Maryland Man 7 Life Sentences: USDOJ Triple Homicide In Pennsylvania Lands Maryland Man 7 Life Sentences: USDOJ
Triple Homicide In Pennsylvania Lands Maryland Man 7 Life Sentences: Usdoj More than eight years after a triple homicide in Pennsylvania, a Maryland man has been brought to justice, according to ta release by the US Department of Justice on Fiday, July 19, 2024.  Christopher Van Johnson, 36 of Baltimore, MD was sentenced to seven consecutive life in prison sentences by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner, "who also sentenced to concurrent 10, 20, and 30-year terms of imprisonment on companion robbery, firearms, and conspiracy charges" on July 17, 2024, as stated in the release. His sentencing was for his role in the execution-style…
Newly Minted Maryland Millionaires Celebrate Scratch-Off Win With Game Of Golf Newly Minted Maryland Millionaires Celebrate Scratch-Off Win With Game Of Golf
Newly Minted Maryland Millionaires Celebrate Scratch-Off Win With Game Of Golf A pair of Maryland Lottery players traveled from Frederick into Virginia for a job, only to turn right around for a day on the links after winning $1 million on a scratcher. "Mr. Papagiorgio" is Maryland's newest millionaire after winning big on a 100X The Cash scratch-off ticket, which they celebrated with a game of golf after given the go ahead to take off from their boss. What started as a routine day for the construction workers began with a Frederick man picking up iced coffee and doughnuts, while his Hagerstown coworker picked up some scratchers for them to play once they made th…
Senator Fetterman Speeding Before Maryland Crash, Troopers Said: Report Senator Fetterman Speeding Before Maryland Crash, Troopers Said: Report
Senator Fetterman Speeding Before Maryland Crash, Troopers Said: Report Maryland state troopers who responded to Sen. John Fetterman's I-70 crash on June 9 said he might have been speeding before the accident, according to body camera footage obtained by the Washington Post. Fetterman and his wife Giselle were in a Chevrolet Tahoe that rear-ended a Chevrolet Impala on Interstate 70 near Interstate 68 in Hagerstown, officials said previously.  Both Fettermans and the driver of the Impala were taken to a hospital, according to the MSP crash report. The Senator's office has said he was treated for a bruised shoulder and released.  In the body camer…
Man Who Fired Shots At Sheriff's Deputy During Maryland Chase Gets Life In Prison: Prosecutors Man Who Fired Shots At Sheriff's Deputy During Maryland Chase Gets Life In Prison: Prosecutors
Man Who Fired Shots At Sheriff's Deputy During Maryland Chase Gets Life In Prison: Prosecutors The man who took officers on a high-speed chase before firing at sheriff's deputies while fleeing on foot will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of attempted murder and other offenses, authorities announced. Lookman-Khalil Abolajo Bello was convicted following a six-day bench trial on a host of charges for the March 2022 incident that ended with him being shot by deputies returning fire in Frederick County.  This week, a judge sentenced the Hagerstown man to life plus 15 years in prison. According to prosecutors, at approximately 2:45 a.m. on March 18, 2022,…
Amply-Armed Employee Threatened To Blow Up Maryland Vehicle Administration Building: Officials Amply-Armed Employee Threatened To Blow Up Maryland Vehicle Administration Building: Officials
Amply-Armed Employee Threatened To Blow Up Maryland Vehicle Administration Building: Officials A well-armed employee who threatened to blow up the Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA) building has been arrested and is facing multiple charges, according to the state fire marshal. Hagerstown resident Anthony Jacob Fritz, 38 - an employee of the MVA on Colonel Henry K. Douglas Drive - found himself in hot water with the police on Friday after allegedly making threats of mass violence.  Investigators say that on Friday morning, co-workers approached a Maryland State Police trooper to advise that Fritz claimed he was going to bomb their building. Following an investigation, the&nbs…
Bomb Threats Called In To Retirement Home Lands Man Behind Bars: Maryland Fire Marshal Bomb Threats Called In To Retirement Home Lands Man Behind Bars: Maryland Fire Marshal
Bomb Threats Called In To Retirement Home Lands Man Behind Bars: Maryland Fire Marshal The man who made several bomb threats targeting a retirement home on different occasions has been arrested, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal. Hagerstown resident John Calvin Walls, 60, is facing charges following an investigation into voicemails that were left at the Williamsport Retirement Village in Washington County. According to investigators, Walls allegedly "threatened to blow up the tranquil home offering assisted living, rehabilitation, long-term care, and respite care."  On Monday, investigators from the fire marshal's office responded to the retirement home when an emp…
Maryland Murder Suspect Featured On 'America's Most Wanted' Apprehended For Fatal Shooting Maryland Murder Suspect Featured On 'America's Most Wanted' Apprehended For Fatal Shooting
Maryland Murder Suspect Featured On 'America's Most Wanted' Apprehended For Fatal Shooting The man who made national headlines for a 2022 murder in Northern Maryland has been apprehended, authorities announced. Taejon Gill was arrested late last week in North Carolina in connection to the shooting death of 45-year-old Sharron Clark on Murph Avenue in October 2022, according to the Hagerstown Police Department. The case was infamously featured earlier this year on "America's Most Wanted."  Turn yourself in Taejon. All of America is now looking for you. We know our community is going to share this everywhere. Might as well as surrender on your own terms Posted by Hagersto…
Maryland State Police Trooper Injured After Being Struck By Driver During Pursuit, Sheriff Says Maryland State Police Trooper Injured After Being Struck By Driver During Pursuit, Sheriff Says
Maryland State Police Trooper Injured After Being Struck By Driver During Pursuit, Sheriff Says A Maryland State Police trooper had to be airlifted to the hospital after being struck by suspects fleeing from sheriff's deputies during a police pursuit in Calvert County.  Shadeed Gregory Graham, 23 of Capitol Heights, Malik Demencio Lewis, 27 of Hagerstown, and Jordan Green, 27 of Bowie are all facing a host of charges after striking the trooper while attempting to avoid stop sticks during the chase, officials say. Shortly after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, deputies from the Calvert County Sherif's Office were called to Harris Teeter on Ward Road in Dunkirk to investigate a reported…
Woman Charged For Running Sex, Human Trafficking Ring Across Maryland: AG Woman Charged For Running Sex, Human Trafficking Ring Across Maryland: AG
Woman Charged For Running Sex, Human Trafficking Ring Across Maryland: AG A Baltimore woman has been indicted by a Washington County grand jury in a 135-count indictment stemming from a years-long investigation by the Maryland Attorney General's Office into a human and sex trafficking ring, authorities announced. Kenika Danielle Leach, 33, has been charged following a two-year multi-agency investigation, which helped the AG's Organized Crime Unit to identify nearly a dozen women from Hagerstown who were allegedly trafficked by her and her organization at hotels and motels throughout Maryland. According to the AG, in December 2021, the Baltimore Police Department …