Cameron sends deputies to march in Annapolis parade instead of joining manhunt for shooter in Lexington Park
LEONARDTOWN, MD. — St. Mary’s Sheriff Tim Cameron reports that one suspect in the series of random shootings, eerily reminiscent of the D. C. Sniper of 2002, has been apprehended and another suspect is being sought.
Cameron reported on Jan. 20, 2014 that all available sheriff’s deputies were being deployed in the search for those responsible for the series of shootings in the Lexington Park area.
On Jan. 21, Sheriff Cameron posted on the Sheriff’s Department Twitter account a photo of four deputies who were deployed, not to Lexington Park, Great Mills or nearby areas, but to march as a color guard in a parade for the inauguration of Gov. Larry Hogan.
Still being sought for random acts of gunfire is Sidney Antwan Strain. Captured was Antonio Chase.
Date of birth 6-12-1988
WANTED for FIRST DEGREE ASSAULT
Chase and Strain frequent the Lexington Park/Great Mills/California areas of St. Mary’s County.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of SIDNEY STRAIN is asked to call the SMCSO duty office at 301.475.4040 or 9 1 1 in the event of an emergency. The Sheriff in a statement released to the public advised: “DO NOT APPROACH the suspect and call local law enforcement immediately. Tipsters can also call CRIME SOLVERS at 301.475.3333, or text a tip to “TIP239″ plus your message to ‘”CRIMES” (274637). CALLERS CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS.”
St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.
POLICE SEEK THE LEXINGTON PARK SNIPER
By Ken Rossignol
THE CHESAPEAKE today
LEXINGTON PARK, MD. – The last time there was unidentified gunfire hitting homes in the St. Mary’s County area, the red-faced Sheriff Tim Cameron had to admit that he was “mortified” bullets raining down on homes in the Wildewood area came from his own deputies. Sheriff’s deputies had been conducting training at a nearby farm without exercising proper gun safety and the lead flew into homes, with one round coming within a few feet of an infant in a crib.
Now Sheriff Cameron reports that his detectives need the help of the public in figuring out who has shot several people and vehicles all around the Lexington Park, California and Great Mills area. Lexington Park in the old days of strip clubs and bars on every corner was known as “Dodge City” and “Sin City” as drunken sailors and farm boys out for good time ripped and roared through the town.
This new event of lawlessness is much different for the Lexington Park area which now is the setting for modern glass buildings stuffed full of defense contractors and not a single strip club left around.
There are several hookers who work the Great Mills Road corridor and a collection of hobos and street bums who keep the cops busy hauling them off to the hoosegow.
But the rash of shootings taking place now is serious business. Having ruled out deputies on a firing range for being responsible, at least it is hoped that is the case, Sheriff Cameron needs to put an end to this spree of dangerous gunning.
The situation is far too similar to that of the infamous DC Sniper case of ten years of 2002 when an unknown sniper was picking off people at gas stations and bus stops all over the Washington metro area.
The following are the incidents reported by Sheriff Cameron:
- On January 17, 2015, deputies responded to a report of shots fired on Lucca Way. Witnesses reported hearing a single gunshot. No victims were located. However, possible evidence was collected from the area.
- On January 18, 2015 at 2:45 PM, deputies responded to the area of Ronald Drive in Lexington Park, for a report of shots fired. Witnesses indicated multiple suspects possibly fired shots. One of the rounds was believed to have struck a vehicle. A short time later, deputies located a vehicle with the rear windshield smashed in front of a residence on Manon Way. Detectives responded and were able to make contact with all of the subjects inside the residence. No victims were located.
- At 7:00 PM, deputies responded to the Sheetz gas station located on the corner of Great Mills Road and Point Lookout Road, for a male who had been shot. Investigation revealed the victim, identified as Jeremy Devon Neal, 21, of Lexington Park, was on North Essex Drive when a dark colored car passed by. An unidentified suspect in the car fired a single shot which struck Neal in the upper body. Neal’s friends put him in a vehicle and began to drive to the hospital. Along the way, they stopped the vehicle at the Sheetz and called 9 1 1. Deputies and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel responded. Neal was subsequently flown to an area hospital by Maryland State Police Trooper 7 with life threatening injuries. He was last listed in guarded condition.
- At 7:13 PM, a male victim drove into the Sheetz gas station parking lot, located on the corner of Great Mills Road and Point Lookout Road, after he saw the police and ambulance (treating the earlier victim). The victim, identified as Maxwell Jason Heyliger, 35, of Lexington Park, was exiting the parking lot of the Sign of the Whale liquor store, located on 21899 Three Notch Road in Lexington Park, when approximately 2 rounds struck his vehicle; one of which struck Heyliger in the hand.
- On January 19, 2015 at 1:00 AM, deputies responded to a residence on Maria Way in Lexington Park, for the report of shots fired. Investigation revealed unknown suspect(s) fired rounds at the residence as they drove by. There were no victims as a result of this shooting.
Comments from persons posting on social media referred to those who have been shot as being involved in criminal activity. An examination of court records for Maxwell Jason Heyliger reveals only traffic charges on his record and no criminal charges or convictions. He lives in a fairly high-crime area known as Fox Chase Apartments in Great Mills.
The Sheriff’s Department listed the other shooting victim as Jeremy Devon Neal. No one by that name has criminal charges on Maryland Court records.
A Jeramie D. Neal, a black male with an address in Deltona, Florida, was arrested on July 15, 2014 by St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Deputy Trevor Teague and charged with possession of marijuana, paraphernalia and possession of contraband in the jail. He entered a guilty plea in St. Mary’s County District Court on July 15, 2014 and was fined $442.50 with $350.00 of the fine suspended and no jail time in a plea deal with St. Mary’s States Attorney Richard Fritz.
On Dec. 8, 2014, this Neal was also indicted for passing counterfeit money after being arrested by Dep. Teague in July. He is set for trial on March 26, 2015.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division are actively investigating all of these events. At this time, the majority of these shootings are believed to be related. Additional personnel, to include members of the Lexington Park COPs Unit, will be out in force in Lexington Park.