Southern Md. Police Beat / The Blizzard Bandits Strike Motel; Sheriff Tracks Footprints of Snowflake Armed Robbers

The Blizzard Bandits Strike Motel; Sheriff Tracks Footprints of Armed Robbers

UPDATE ON BLIZZARD BOYS THAT ROBBED MOTEL and left tracks in the snow from the scene of the robbery to their hideout

The following were indicted and convicted for the armed robbery of the America’s Best Value Inn and Suites motel located on Rt. 235 in Lexington Park, Md. On Jan. 23, 2016:

THE OUTCOME

Nicholas DeAngelo Williams, of 46507 Rosewood Drive, Lexington Park, Md., entered into a plea deal with St. Mary’s States Attorney Richard Fritz on Sept. 2, 2016.  THE DEAL: in return for a guilty plea to assault and armed robbery, thereby sparing the prosecutors from putting on a successful trial, Williams was sentenced to nine years in prison with credit for 90 days of time served, 5 years suspended, five years of probation; and the provision that he not have contact with the victim and to stay away from America’s Best Hotel. A motion for reconsideration of the sentence was filed on Dec. 21, 2016, which may allow the sentence to be reduced in spite of the prior plea deal.

On Dec. 21, 2016, Williams was charged by St. Mary’s Deputy Kirkner with assault on a St. Mary’s Correctional Officer and on Feb. 2, 2017, the charges were dropped by Fritz.  Court records show that Williams was released from jail on Jan. 11, 2017.

When charged with assault on July 10, 2016, the case was resolved in District Court when Williams entered a guilty plea and received six months in jail.

Maryland prison system records show that as of Jan. 26, 2018, Williams is currently incarcerated in the Roxbury Correctional Institution at Hagerstown, Md.

Antwan D. Tyler, of 46435 Munley Lane, Lexington Park, Md., on Sept. 9, 2016, he entered guilty pleas to armed robbery and first-degree assault.  SENTENCE: 8 years in prison with all but three years suspended. Credit for time served of 359 days and probation for 5 years. Tyler is an inmate at the Dorsey Run Correctional Facility located in Jessup, Md., as of Jan 26, 2018.

Daniel Na’shawn Roper, of 46516 Rosewood Drive, Lexington Park, Md., entered guilty pleas in the deal with the prosecutor. THE DEAL: 8 years in prison with all but 4 years suspended on felony charges of first-degree assault and armed robbery. Credit for time served of 335 days and probation for 5 years. Roper is incarcerated at the Maryland prison at Jessup.

Michael Timmy Harrod, of 18520 Premier Lane, Lexington Park, Md., was remanded to Juvenile Court on June 6, 2016. (DOB – June 21, 1998) On Aug. 4, 2017, Harrod was charged with theft in District Court of Calvert County, Md., and is awaiting a jury trial which was requested on Jan. 26, 2018.  Harrod is no longer a juvenile and may be able to join his Blizzard Buddies in prison.

LEXINGTON PARK, MD. — Maybe they can start a singing group in prison and call themselves ‘The Four Flakes’.

Instead of going out in the town and shoveling walks during the blizzard to make money; four alleged armed robbers decided that the best work for homeboys was no work at all. According to St. Mary’s Sheriff Tim Cameron, who actually helped corral the gunmen who held up the old Days Inn motel, the four bozos, who all live within walking distance of the motel and other scenes of recent armed robberies, were charged with crimes that should install them behind bars for a significant number of years.

The snow bandits apparently weren’t bright enough to figure out that they and the cops were the only ones moving during the snowstorm and all it took to catch them was to follow their footprints in the snow.

The reason the crime rate drops dramatically in a snowstorm is that criminals generally stay indoors during bad weather, taking the advice of officials who plead in the media for folks to stay off the roads. The Blizzard Bandits will be spending a lot of time indoors in future years.

On January 23, 2016, at approximately 2:14 P.M., St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of an armed robbery at the America’s Best Value Inn and Suites, located at 21847 Three Notch Road in Lexington Park.

The victim, a female employee, advised deputies that two male suspects entered the business wearing dark winter jackets. One of the suspects produced a large black handgun, which he pointed at the victim before demanding money. The victim provided the suspects with an undisclosed amount of currency before both suspects fled the business on foot.

Additional investigation and review of video surveillance by deputies revealed two additional suspects had also been involved in the robbery.

Surveillance revealed all four of the men arrived, departed, and collaborated during the robbery.

A lookout was broadcast for the suspects and deputies began canvassing the area. Foot traffic was almost nonexistent due the blizzard conditions affecting the area at the time.

While assisting deputies with the search, Sheriff Timothy Cameron located four males in the area matching the suspect descriptions. Subsequently, the suspects fled on foot.

After a brief pursuit, all four were quickly located and detained by deputies and troopers from the Maryland State Police and the Lexington Park COPs Unit without incident. The suspects were identified as Antwan Tyler, 18, of 46435 Munley Lane, Lexington Park, Md.; Nicholas Williams, 18, of 46517 Rosewood Drive, Lexington Park, Md.; Daniel Roper, 19, also a resident of 46517 Rosewood Drive in Lexington Park, Md.; and Michael Harrod, 17, of 18520 Premery Drive in Lexington Park, Md.

Detectives and Crime Lab Technicians from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) arrived on scene and assumed the investigation.

Distinctive features on all of the suspect’s clothing were matched to video surveillance and additional evidence was recovered from the suspects. Sheriff’s Office K-9 deputies also located evidence discarded by the suspects as they fled. After consultation with the States Attorney’s Office, all four suspects were arrested and charged as adults with Armed Robbery, Robbery, Assault 1st Degree, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, and Theft Less than $1,000.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about this crime to contact Detective Cory Ellis at 301-475-4200, ext. *8125 or by email at Cory.Ellis@stmarysmd.com. Callers may also call Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333 (callers can remain anonymous, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus your message to “CRIMES” (274637).

Multiple charges of assault were placed against Tyler on Jan. 18, 2014, by St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Deputy Kirkner. All of the charges were dropped by St. Mary’s States Attorney Richard Fritz on March 11, 2014.

The multiple charges of armed robbery, according to court records, mark the start of a long and illustrious crime career for Williams.

Roper was charged with assault in the second degree by St. Mary’s Deputy David Potter on Oct. 24, 2014 which resulted in a plea deal with States Attorney Fritz who placed the charge on the Stet Docket on March 19, 2015.