SCAM ALERT: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office was recently informed about a scam. A citizen received a voice mail message from a man who said he was affiliated with the sheriff’s office. The caller told the citizen he was the subject of a “federal inquiry.”  The caller instructed the citizen to call an out-of-state number to “settle the inquiry” and indicated a warrant would be obtained if the citizen did not comply. The citizen realized the call sounded like a hoax and called the sheriff’s office instead. Detectives learned the number that appeared on the citizen’s caller ID was the non-emergency line of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the number had been spoofed, meaning the caller had deliberately falsified the telephone number and/or name relayed as the caller ID to disguise the identity of the calling party. Anyone who receives this type of message is asked to call the CCSO non-emergency line at (301) 932-2222 and report the information.  For additional information about caller ID spoofing visit FCC guides about caller-ID.

BURGLARY: On February 2, at 8:15 p.m., officers responded to the 11400 block of Westmont Court in Waldorf for the report of a burglary. The homeowner reported unknown suspect(s) gained entry into the residence by throwing a rock through a rear window. Once inside, the suspect(s) stole a Guess brand watch and a pair of earrings. PFC J. Hatfield is investigating.

OFFICERS RECOVER STOLEN ITEMS:  On January 31 at 2:46 p.m., officers responded to the 11900 block of Acton Lane in Waldorf for the report of a theft. Officer D. Arends arrived and discovered two juveniles in the parking lot of a business selling movies, mp3 players and cell phones that had just been stolen from a nearby store. Officers found a black pellet gun in a bag belonging to a male suspect and they recovered another pellet gun and a knife in the waistband of a female suspect. The female was also a reported runaway from another county. Both juveniles were released to juvenile intake centers. The stolen items were returned to the store.