Media Release:

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has charged two Hagerstown men in connection to an assault.

On March 4, 2021, at approximately 2:44 AM, Deputies responded to 20 West Poplar Street Funkstown, MD, about an assault. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the victim, who had a large laceration across his forehead.

The victim stated he had been struck with a machete and shovel multiple times in the face. The victim advised the assault occurred on March 3, 2021, at approximately 10:00 PM in the homeless camp located in the trailer park’s wooded area. The camp is located in the wooded area to the rear of the trailer park on Poplar Street.

The victim said the previous evening he had been doing his laundry at the public laundry mat in Funkstown. When he returned to his tent, he discovered his tent was on fire. As he approached the tent, he was struck from behind. He turned and saw two males assaulting him. He identified these males as “Roger and Brick.”

The victim stated they were accusing him of stealing a scooter.

The victim advised the suspects continued to accuse him of stealing the scooter and continued to assault him. The victim stated Roger struck him with his fists in the face and head area. The victim stated “Brick” struck him multiple times with a machete and shovel. He stated he attempted to flee several times but was prohibited from leaving by both males. He stated he was assaulted as he attempted to leave.

The victim stated he was held for several hours and wasn’t allowed to leave. He stated Roger and Brick began to drink alcohol. He stated that Brick fell over due to being intoxicated, and Roger attempted to help him up. At that point, the victim stated he ran from them. He stated they attempted to chase him but kept falling due to being intoxicated.

The victim was transported to Meritus Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

The suspects were identified as Roger Ernest Heare Jr., 35, and Robert Brittany Heare, 38.

Previously, deputies observed Roger Heare inside of lot 23. Deputies established a perimeter, and the Washington County SRT team was called to the scene to facilitate entry and an arrest of Roger Heare.

At approximately 5:23 AM, the SRT team made entry into the trailer and located Roger Heare and his brother Robert Brittany Heare, identified as “Brick/Britt.” Both suspects were taken into custody.

At the hospital, the victim was found to be suffering from multiple facial fractures, including both orbital bones, a collapsed lung that required insertion of a chest tube, multiple facial lacerations, and a laceration to his left elbow. Due to his injuries’ severity, the victim was later transported to Maryland Shock Trauma in Baltimore for further treatment.

Roger Ernest Heare Jr. and Robert Brittany Heare have both been charged with 1st Degree Assault, 2nd Degree Assault, False Imprisonment, and Reckless Endangerment.

Both are currently being held at the Washington County Detention without bond.

Media Release:

On February 24, 2021, at approximately 5:00 PM, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 10300 block of Lantern Lane, Hagerstown, for a reported burglary.

The victim advised that at approximately 3:15 PM, she heard the doorbell to her home ring repeatedly. The victim stated that she looked through the window of her front door and observed a black male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, camouflage mask, blue jacket, and black pants standing at her front door. The victim was not expecting any visitors or deliveries, so she did not answer the door. The victim went to the upstairs level of her home.

The victim stated that once upstairs, she remembered the front door was unlocked. The home’s front door opened, and the male she observed outside stepped inside. The victim remained upstairs and yelled down to the male, “What do you think you’re doing?” The male stated, “You didn’t answer.” The victim asked the male, “What do you want?” The male said, “I saw you walking.” The victim told the male to get out, and the male left.

The victim’s husband witnessed the male repeatedly ring the doorbell and enter the residence over the security cameras mounted on the front door. Deputies reviewed the footage captured on the security camera.

The victim advised that although the male was wearing a mask, she believed he was the same male who is known to live in a vehicle parked at the end of Stagecoach Dr, Hagerstown, MD. The Deputy was familiar with that male, identified as Antonious De Mond Bizzard Jr (B/M 6/12/97).

Before responding to this call at approximately 4:30 PM, Deputies responded to Arby’s restaurant at 10306 Arnett Drive, Hagerstown, MD, to assist Maryland State Police (MSP) with an active disturbance. The Deputies helped detain a suspect who caused the disruption and assaulted an MSP Trooper. The suspect was identified as Antonious De Mond Bizzard Jr. Bizzard was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, blue jacket, camouflage mask, and black sweatpants when arrested by MSP. Bizzard’s clothing matched that of the suspect male in the burglary.

Bizzard has been charged with Burglary- Fourth Degree- Dwelling 2-3030 and is currently being held at the Washington County Detention Center.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is reminding the community the scammers are always at work. 

We have begun to receive reports of several different scams circulating in the Washington County area. If community members follow a few simple rules, it will help keep them from falling victim to scammers. 

Slow it down — Scammers often create a sense of urgency so that they can bypass your better instincts. Take your time and ask questions to avoid being rushed into a bad situation.

Spot check:

1. Do your research to double-check the details you’re getting.
2. If you get an unexpected phone call, hang up.
3. Look up the bank, agency, or organization that’s supposedly calling and get in touch directly.

Stop! Don’t send — No reputable person or agency will ever demand payment on the spot or payment by gift cards. Often, scammers tell you to buy gift cards—which are meant only to be given as a gift, not as payment under threat. So if you think the payment feels fishy, it probably is.

Trust your gut……..if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for the position of Deputy Sheriff. This position is entry-level law enforcement work with a starting salary of $44,616, a competitive benefits package, and a $5,000 sign-on bonus with a 3-year contract.

After successful completion of the training academy, deputies will receive $2,500 for their first year of employment and an additional $2,500 during their second year of employment.

Applicants will take a written test and physical fitness test on Saturday, January 30, 2021. Applicants will be informed of testing locations and times when they register to participate. Applicants who pass the written and physical fitness tests will be scheduled for oral interviews at a later date.

Applicants MUST bring a completed pre-employment packet with them on January 30, 2021. Applicants who plan on attending the Processing Event need to register their attendance with our Training Coordinator, Gary Mariotti, by calling at 240-313-2193.

The pre-employment packet includes a physician’s certificate, which MUST be signed by a physician for the applicant to be eligible to participate in the process. The physician’s certificate must be completed within 30 days before the physical fitness test to be considered valid. The pre-employment packet can be found on the Sheriff’s Office website, www.washcosheriff.com, under the employment tab, or by calling Gary Mariotti at 240-313-2193.

COVID-19 guidelines will be followed; applicants will be required to wear a mask to participate. Appropriate attire for the event is; athletic clothing for the Written Test and Physical Fitness Test, business attire for the Oral Interview.

The registration for this event closes on January 22, 2021, at 4:00 pm.

Questions about this event should be directed to Gary Mariotti, Training Coordinator, at 240-313-2193.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of a suspicious subject traveling in the Washington County area.

The suspicious subject is said to be operating a miniature sleigh which is reportedly being pulled by 8 tiny reindeer. The subject is described as a male, chubby and plump with a beard white as snow, dressed all in fur, a right jolly elf.

Anyone with information on the location of the suspicious male is asked to HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

From our family to yours, have a safe holiday season!!

Media Release:

On December 15, 2020, at approximately 4:30 AM, the Washington County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting that someone had just been shot in the area of the 17400 block of Fair Oaks Court, Hagerstown, in the Valley Meadow Townhomes development.

When Washington County Sheriff’s Office personnel arrived on-scene, they discovered a male with a life-threatening gunshot wound inside 17427 Fair Oaks Court.  Witnesses at the scene advised that the shooter fled just after the shooting.  Emergency Medical Services responded and attempted life-saving measures, but the victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene.  The victim has been identified as Kalen Nathaniel Black, 21, of Hagerstown, MD.

During the investigation, the shooter was identified as Lauron Zachwrie Hoyle, a 35-year-old male from Montgomery Village, MD.

While the facts of the case are still being investigated, it is alleged that Hoyle came to the home following a dispute with the occupants and opened-fire on Black inside the home.  Hoyle then fled and was ultimately arrested just before 3:30 pm on December 15, 2020, at his home in Montgomery County, MD, with the help of the Montgomery County Police Department.

The investigation is continuing, at this time.