Alton

Charges were brought Wednesday against two Hagerstown residents in a Dec. 13 burglary and theft of firearms in Keedysville, according to Investigator Greg Alton of the Washington County Sheriff's Department. Michael Wayne Rippeon Jr., 24, was jailed without bond on one count each of first- and fourth-degree burglary, felony theft and destruction of property under $500. Rippeon's last known address is 41 W. Bethel St., Alton said. Jodie Ann Grimes, 26, of the same address, was served with a criminal summons Wednesday on one count of felony theft, one count of theft less than $100 and two counts of theft under $500, Alton said.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - A 19-year-old man has been charged with theft in the February disappearance of a 500-pound Texas Longhorn calf from a property on Greensburg Road near Smithsburg, Washington County Sheriff's Department Investigator Greg Alton said Tuesday afternoon. The calf was valued at about $1,500. Deputies have an arrest warrant that charges Brandon Christopher Graybill with theft over $500 and fourth-degree burglary-theft, Alton said. Investigators believe the calf was shot, hauled away and butchered, Alton said.

Charges were brought Wednesday against two Hagerstown residents in connection with a Dec. 13 burglary and theft of firearms in Keedysville, according to Investigator Greg Alton of the Washington County Sheriff's Department. Michael Wayne Rippeon Jr., 24, was jailed without bond on one count each of first- and fourth-degree burglary, felony theft and destruction of property under $500. Rippeon's last known address is 41 W. Bethel St., Alton said. Jodie Ann Grimes, 26, of the same address, was served with a criminal summons Wednesday on one count of felony theft, one count of theft less than $100 and two counts of theft under $500, Alton said.

shappell@herald-mail.com HALFWAY - A bank in Halfway was robbed Monday afternoon a few yards from the scene of another armed robbery less than three weeks ago. A Washington County Sheriff's Department investigator said a robbery was reported at about noon at Fidelity Bank at Halfway Boulevard and Virginia Avenue. Sheriff's department investigator Greg Alton said the robber showed a handgun to two female clerks, demanded money and left with cash. He said the sole customer on the bank's property at the time did not provide information useful to the investigation.

The Washington County Sheriff's Department is seeking the public's help to find a Hagerstown couple wanted on several counts of felony and misdemeanor theft charges in connection with allegedly shoplifting from several county stores, Investigator Greg Alton said. Mark Dwayne Rice, 38, and Sandra Lee Rice, 44, who share a last known address of 428 Park Place, have been charged through arrest warrants in connection with the alleged thefts from between 15 and 20 stores dating to Sept.

scottb@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - A Hagerstown man was out on bail Wednesday after being charged with selling diesel fuel for about $1 per gallon that he allegedly purchased with a stolen credit card, a Washington County Sheriff's Department investigator said. Eric Allen Reid, 36, of Hagerstown, publicized the discount cost of the fuel over CB radio, investigator Greg Alton said. Reid charged about $53,000 to his former employer's credit card since June, Alton said.

daniels@herald-mail.com Two people wanted on outstanding warrants from Maryland and Pennsylvania were apprehended Friday afternoon by Washington County Sheriff's Department deputies following a brief car chase that ended on Old Forge Road when the driver of the fleeing car crashed into an oncoming Sheriff's Department cruiser. James Anthony Reese, 26, of no fixed address, the driver of the gray Buick LeSabre involved in the chase, was wanted on three outstanding Washington County warrants dating back to April 2004, including felony theft, attempted felony theft and fourth-degree burglary, according to Greg Alton, an investigator with the Washington County Sheriff's Department.

Investigator Greg Alton, with the Washington County Sheriff's Department, recommended that people going on vacation for any length of time, including snowbirds, make their local police department aware of their departure. An officer can drive by the home to check on it, he said. Alton recommended people let the police know the following before leaving: · Who to contact in the event of an emergency. · The makes and models of any cars that could legitimately be at the home.

A Hagerstown man and two boys were charged recently in connection with vandalism in the area of Glenside Avenue that was reported in early May, Washington County Sheriff's Department Investigator Greg Alton said Tuesday. Kyle Andrew Mullenix, 19, of 1525 Sherman Ave., a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy were charged, Alton said. The three were charged with 15 counts of malicious destruction of property less than $500; four counts of malicious destruction of property more than $500; and one count of malicious destruction of property scheme more than $500, Alton said.