| Press Releases | Search DNR | DNR Home |
Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
Garrett County – The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) conducted special boating safety saturation patrols this past Saturday and Sunday, July 19th and 20th, on Deep Creek Lake to save lives and reduce the number of personal injuries due to boating accidents.Utilizing NRP aircraft and vessels strategically placed on the lake, the patrols lasted approximately three hours each day. An NRP helicopter flew over the lake locating boaters operating in an unsafe manner and directed the NRP vessels to the violations. Thirty-two citations and 47 warnings, mostly for distance violations, were issued during the patrols. These types of patrols along with unmarked vessels will be utilized state wide throughout the summer and will continue through the Labor Day Holiday.
NRP reminds boaters that when towing an individual or individuals on water skis, aquaplanes, tubes or other similar devices, you must keep at least 100 feet from the shore, wharfs, piers, pilings, jetties, bridge structures or abutments, individual or individuals in the water and other vessels at all times.
Persons operating personal watercraft within 100 feet of the shore, wharfs, piers, pilings, jetties, bridge structures or abutments, individual or individuals in the water and other vessels may not exceed a speed of 6 knots at anytime.
Garrett County – On Saturday, July 19, at 4:30 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police investigated a boating accident in the main body of Deep Creek Lake.
Che F. Moore, 38, of Verona, Pa. was operating a rented personal watercraft (PWC) when he struck the stern of a pontoon boat operated by Kevin Beattie, of Pittsburgh, Pa. No one was injured in the collision. NRP charged Moore with negligent operation of a vessel and operating a personal watercraft at greater than six knots within 100 foot of another vessel.
Garrett County – On Saturday, July 19, at 6:45 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Faith M. Lasica, 51, of McKeesport, Pa. with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol on the Youghiogheny River Reservoir.
NRP stopped Lasica for allegedly operating her pontoon boat in an erratic manner. Lasica was transported to the Maryland State Police McHenry Barrack for processing and charged with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol and or drugs and negligent operation.
Garrett County – On Saturday, July 19, at 11:45 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged a Frederick man with driving while intoxicated on Mayhew Inn Road.
NRP initiated a traffic stop on Stanley R. Powell Jr., 30, of Frederick for allegedly operating an all terrain vehicle of the roadway. During the course of the traffic stop, Powell was arrested and transported to the Maryland State Police McHenry Barrack for processing. Powell was charged with driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol. He was released on his signature.
Garrett County – On Tuesday, July 23, at 11:30 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police investigated a boating accident in the McHenry Cove area of Deep Creek Lake.
Aaron G. Mummert, 32, of Hanover, Pa. was operating an 18-foot motor vessel with three passengers onboard when he struck the stern of a 24-foot pontoon boat operated by John C. Ortiz, 29, of Oakland. Mummert’s vessel became airborne and landed in front of the pontoon boat.
Two of Mummert’s passengers, Nichole S. Reed, 23, of Gettysburg, Pa. and Susan M. Muscleman, 41, of Orrtanna, Pa. were transported to Garrett County Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
NRP charged Mummert with negligent operation of a vessel, failure to maintain a proper look-out, failure to operate at a safe speed to avoid a collision and failure to obtain a certificate of boating safety education. A court date of Oct. 30 has been scheduled for Mummert in Garrett County District Court.
The Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Northern Garrett County Rescue Squad and Southern Garrett County Rescue Squad assisted NRP with the incident.
NRP reminds boaters of the Maryland law that requires anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, must possess a certificate of boating safety education in order to operate any motorized vessel. This certificate is non-renewable and must be carried by the person at all times while operating a vessel. Officers may ask to see the certificate during a vessel check and, if not provided, a person can be charged with a minimum of $25 for the first offense and up to $500 for each offense thereafter.
Washington County – On Sunday, July 20, at 12:50 a.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged three with alcohol violations in the campground of Greenbrier State Park. NRP was patrolling the campground and stopped to investigate a quiet hour noise violation.
Ryan Lee Rabideau, 19, of Frederick was arrested and charged with possession of false government identification documents and possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under 21 years of age. Rabideau allegedly gave officers false Virginia and Maryland drivers license when asked for identification. He was taken before a Washington County District Court Commissioner and released on his own personal recognizance.
Logan Thatcher Bair, 19, of Hagerstown and a 17-year old Frederick girl were each charged with possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under 21 years of age. Bair was released on his signature and the girl was referred to the Department of Juvenile Services.
July 23, 2008The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 280 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov