Cops nab killer of Big Daddy’s Ice Cream truck operator
FREDERICK, MD. — The Frederick Police Department reported an arrest in the murder investigation of Brandon Brown. Brown was killed on June 13, 2015 at approximately 5:12 pm as he was selling ice cream from the “Big Daddy Ice Cream” truck, in the 400 block of Vermont Court in Frederick, Maryland.
Brown was himself a murder suspect, charged with first-degree murder for a killing that took place on July 3, 2012. Also charged with armed robbery, assault and wearing a deadly weapon, Brown received typical Maryland Justice from the Frederick County States Attorney on May 29, 2013 when all charges were dropped except for assault when Brown entered an Alford Plea. That plea saved the State of Maryland from a lengthy prosecution when Brown admitted that the state had enough evidence to likely reach a guilty verdict but wasn’t quite admitting he was guilty. He was sentenced to 12 years and 6 months in prison with 11 years suspended. On Sept. 23, 2013 the former murder suspect applied for work release which led eventually to him selling ice cream to kids. His career as an ice cream truck driver ended with gunfire, allegedly the work of Larnell Tyran Lyles, of 1302 West Baker Place in Frederick, Md.
Larnell is currently on probation for an assault conviction and had just been jailed in April for a violation of his probation. A trial date for the probation rap is set for Aug. 4, 2015 and officials ought to be able to find him for this court appearance.
The Frederick News Post interviewed residents of the Lucas Village section 8 housing community where the murder took place and several reported never having seen the Big Daddy’s truck in the area prior to the killing. A vigil was organized and several persons told a reporter that the loss of both young men was a tragedy. At the first court hearing for Lyles, his attorney told the court that Brown and his “assistant” on the ice cream truck were not there to sell ice cream but for another unspecified business.
Detectives have worked nonstop since the investigation began, and quickly identified a suspect through information and witness accounts. An arrest warrant was obtained by the lead investigator, Detective Kevin Forrest and signed by a District Court Commissioner just before midnight on June 13, 2015.
Police say that over the next four hours, members of the Frederick Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and Maryland State Police’s Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force worked extremely hard in attempting to locate the suspect, in order to serve the arrest warrant.
During the course of the investigation, information was developed that the suspect may be found in a residence in the 100 block of Sandalwood Court in Walkersville, Maryland. At approximately 4:19 am on June 15, 2015, Detectives, and Maryland State troopers responded to the residence in Walkersville and located the suspect inside. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
The suspect is identified as: Larnell Tyran Lyles
The Frederick Police Department thanked the Maryland State Police and members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force for their hard work in locating Lyles.
“We would also like to thank the members of the Lucas Village Community and the Housing Authority of the City of Frederick for their support and assistance during this investigation. It was due to the assistance and help from our community that allowed the department to make an arrest in this case in just 11 hours,” said Lt. Pennington.
According to Lt. Clark Pennington, at approximately 5:12 pm, on Saturday, the Frederick Police Department was called to the area of the 400 block of Vermont Court for a reported shooting. When officers arrived on scene, they located a victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the upper chest. Officers and EMS personnel administered lifesaving efforts but, unfortunately, the victim, identified as Brandon Thomas Brown (DOB: 08/03/1992), of Frederick, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Information obtained on scene was Brown, who was working as driver for “Big Daddy Ice Cream” truck, pulled into the court, during the course of his employment, and stopped in the 400 Block of Vermont Court. Brown stepped off the truck and was approached by a black male who shot him at least one time in the chest. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5′ 8′ – 5’10” tall, weighing approximately 170-190 pounds, wearing blue jeans and black shirt.
Frederick Police are asking anyone with information on this incident call the Frederick Police Department at 301-600-TIPS (8477) or the lead detective, Detective Forrest, at 301-600-6219.
The victim was transported to Baltimore, to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where he will undergo an autopsy.
Information obtained on scene was Brown, who was working as driver for "Big Daddy Ice Cream" truck, pulled into the court, during the course of his employment, and stopped in the 400 Block of Vermont Court. Brown stepped off the truck and was approached by a black male who shot him at least one time in the chest. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5' 8' - 5'10" tall, weighing approximately 170-190 pounds, wearing blue jeans and black shirt.
