Northeastern District

A stun gun ended Thursday's standoff at a Baltimore police station, but not before a suspect had tried to hang himself, hit an officer in the head with a 3-foot-long halogen light bulb, and managed to take a civilian worker hostage using a pair of scissors, according to police charging documents. Rodney Bethea, 21, who has at least two burglary convictions, had been arrested in connection with a marijuana possession case Thursday morning and was taken to the Northeastern District for processing and questioning, charging documents state.

The women sitting on the front porches of two adjoining Northeast Baltimore homes say the well-kept appearance of their community belies a stubborn crime problem. One of them recalls that her son-in-law - an off-duty security guard returning home from work - was beaten and robbed of his possessions as he waited for a bus just a few weeks ago. The other notes that drug dealers come from nearby neighborhoods to hang out on their lush corner. "A lot of people think that not a lot happens in this area, but it does," said one of the women, who was afraid to give her name.

The staffing shortage that has left Baltimore police struggling to fill patrol cars has forced one commander to take the unprecedented step of closing a police station to the public in the early morning.Over the past several weeks, visitors to the Northeastern District on Argonne Drive between midnight and 7 a.m. were greeted with a sign on the public entrance advising them to call 911 in an emergency. A pay phone is next to the door.People trying to call the district's main number between those hours didn't fare much better.

The television commercials in the mayor's race are now coming fast and furious. City Councilman and mayoral candidate Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr. has begun airing a new ad that once again deals with crime -- specifically the homicide totals. The 30-second spot is Mitchell's third and comes a day after Mayor Sheila Dixon launched her first spot. What the ad says: In a theatrical opening segment, the camera shows a young girl sitting at a kitchen table as her mother cleans a pot in the sink.

BALTIMORE CITY* ASSAULT: Northeastern District -- A resident of the 6000 block of Walther Blvd. was in the 3200 block of Belair Road Wednesday when he was attacked by a man who struck him with a piece of wood. The victim was not seriously injured.* THEFT: Northeastern District -- A wallet containing cash and personal papers was stolen from a 1991 Acura Legend parked in the 1200 block of Ramblewood Road Monday or Tuesday.* ROBBERY: Northeastern District -- Two female residents of the 5300 block of Kenilworth Ave. were in the 5800 block of Hillen Road Wednesday when a man robbed them of their jewelry valued at $700.

Culminating a three-month investigation, officers from Baltimore City's Northeastern District served 10 warrants yesterday at the Hollander Ridge Apartments, arrested 10 people on drug charges and seized two handguns.The raid, which was carried out with Baltimore County police, began about 3: 30 p.m. at the housing complex in the 2000 block of Odell Ave.Police seized 91 vials of suspected crack cocaine, 57 plastic bags of suspected crack cocaine, two semiautomatic handguns and a bulletproof jacket, said Lt. Paul Sheppard of the Northeastern District's Special Operations unit.

Police arrested 45 people on traffic and other charges during the weekend on Northeast Baltimore streets in an effort to curb drug-dealing in the Harford Road corridor.Officers from the Northeastern District, vehicular and mounted units of the traffic division and officers with police dogs closed the 2700 blocks of Fenwick and Tivoly avenues and the 1700, 1800 and 1900 blocks of E. 28th St. on Friday, Saturday and yesterday in "an effort to stabilize the neighborhood and restore order," said Lt. Laurie Zuromski of the Northeastern District.

Baltimore CityBURGLARY: Northern District -- Someone stole a television and video cassette recorder, all valued at $459, from a closet in the Waverly Recreation Center in the 800 block of E. 34th St. sometime yesterday morning.AUTO THEFT: Southwestern District -- A 1992 gray Dodge Spirit was stolen from the 100 block of N. Rock Glen Road yesterday between 5 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.AUTO THEFT: Southwestern District -- A 1978 Ford station wagon was stolen from the 1100 block of N. Woodington Road about 1 p.m. yesterday.

On May 8, 2007, MARION H. PELTON, of Churchville, MD; loving daughter of the late Joseph L. and Ada K. Hogan Pelton. Also survived by two nieces, Doreen Foley and Penny Lane and one nephew, Don Pelton and cared for by a loving co worker, Patricia Turner. A Graveside Service will be held at Churchville Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Churchville, MD, on Thursday, May 10, 2007, at 2 P.M. Those who desire may contribute to the American Red Cross, Central MD Chapter, Northeastern District, 4700 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215.

A stun gun ended Thursday's standoff at a Baltimore police station, but not before a suspect had tried to hang himself, hit an officer in the head with a 3-foot-long halogen light bulb, and managed to take a civilian worker hostage using a pair of scissors, according to police charging documents. Rodney Bethea, 21, who has at least two burglary convictions, had been arrested in connection with a marijuana possession case Thursday morning and was taken to the Northeastern District for processing and questioning, charging documents state.

Complaining of thin police resources in his area, a city councilman from Northeast Baltimore plans to propose a bill next month that would require police to reconfigure the boundaries of the nine patrol districts. Councilman Kenneth N. Harris Sr. said he is calling for the remapping because he believes police have focused so many resources on lowering the homicide rate in certain parts of the city that other areas are being shortchanged, including neighborhoods that he represents. "We've been fighting crime based on where the murders have been taking place," said Harris, of the 4th council district.

John Richard Wagner, a retired major with the Baltimore City Police Department, died Saturday at home, apparently from a heart attack. The Rosedale resident was 61. Born in Baltimore, Mr. Wagner graduated from Kenwood High School in 1961. He joined the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam until 1965, when he was discharged with the rank of corporal. In 1967, he began his police career in the city's Northeastern District. He worked in the criminal investigation and tactical divisions, rising through the ranks to second in command in the Northeastern District.

Baltimore City Northern District Theft: Stereo equipment, a cellular phone and 30 compact discs -- all valued at $850 -were stolen Saturday from a Jeep parked in the 5800 block of Meadowood Road. Northeastern District Robbery: A man, 38, was walking in the 3200 block of The Alameda about 10 p.m. Saturday when two men robbed him of $33. Southwestern District Robbery: A man wielding a shotgun robbed a 20-year-old man of his watch, jewelry and a cell phone in the 4300 block of Woodridge Road about 9 p.m. Saturday.

A 22-year-old homeless man was arrested Tuesday on charges he stole a gym bag from a truck parked behind the home of Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, court records show. O'Malley administration officials and police declined to discuss the incident, saying they will not talk about the mayor's security detail. The mayor typically receives round-the-clock security at his residence. The truck -- a gold-colored Chevrolet Suburban -- is owned by O'Malley's wife, District Judge Catherine Curran O'Malley, court records show.

City officials will unveil a new program this month that will try to strengthen middle-class neighborhoods, Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano told a community meeting of Northeast Baltimore residents last night. Addressing a forum at Morgan State University's Schaefer Hall, Graziano said the Neighborhood Conservation Program will use such strategies as stricter code enforcement, low-interest rehabilitation loans and marketing for Baltimore's middle-class neighborhoods and their housing stock.