St. Peter Claver Rd. is closed due to a motor vehicle collision with down power lines, avoid the area.

St. Andrews Church Road near Dement Lane is REOPENED!

Road Closure Alert: Saint Andrews Church Rd just north of Blacksmith Shop Rd is temporarily shut down due to a motor vehicle accident. Please use caution if in the area and find alternate routes if possible. Updates will be provided once the roadway is reopened.

Piney Point Road is now reopened!

Piney Point Rd, just in front Rt. 5, is temporarily closed in both directions. Traffic is being diverted through Weis parking lot.

Motor Vehicle Accident Motor Vehicle Accident in the area of Great Mills Rd. & Saratoga Dr. The roadway will be temporarily closed.

✅✅ UPDATE 10/21/26 - Brandi Beckett has been located safe and unharmed. Thank you for your assistance.

Deputies responded to 1,723 calls for service last week, continuing our commitment to protect and serve the residents of St. Mary’s County. 📍 Want to learn more about public safety activity in your area? Visit FirstSheriff.com. On the homepage, scroll down to the "I Want To..." section and select "View the Interactive Crime Map (Citizen Connect)" to explore reported incidents and public safety trends in St. Mary’s County.

AVOID THE AREA - St. Andrews Church Road near Dement Lane is closed in both directions due to a vehicle collision.

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Brandi Marie Beckett, age 43, of Lexington Park, MD. Brandi Marie Beckett was reported missing to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office on October 20, 2026. She was last seen on 10/16/26 at 1500 in the area of Wendy’s on Great Mills Road. Brandi Marie Beckett is described as 5’11”, 204, with brown hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a Wendy’s uniform. Anyone who has seen Brandy Marie Beckett or has information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008.

Detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division served search and seizure warrants on Wade Joshua Braithwaite, 33, of Lexington Park, recovering a loaded handgun and suspected cocaine and heroin on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Following an investigation into suspected drug distribution activities, detectives obtained the warrants and located Braithwaite on Columbus Drive in Lexington Park. Detectives took Braithwaite into custody without incident. A search revealed a loaded Canik METE MC9 semiautomatic handgun with a round in the chamber and quantities of suspected cocaine and heroin indicating possession with intent to distribute. Deputies also recovered $655 in cash. Additional deputies served search and seizure warrants at a residence in the 21000 block of St. Lo Place, where they located Braithwaite’s vehicle, a Honda Accord. Suspected controlled dangerous substance (CDS) paraphernalia was found in the vehicle. Braithwaite was arrested and charged with 11 criminal counts, including: •Two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance in sufficient quantity to indicate intent to distribute •Two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance •Possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime •Possession of a regulated firearm after having been convicted of a crime of violence •Knowingly possessing a firearm after being convicted of a disqualifying crime •Possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony •Possession of ammunition after being prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm •Two counts of wearing, carrying or transporting a loaded handgun on his person Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through tip411 by: •Text 847411: start your message with “SMCSO”, add a space, and then your tip. •Online: Submit a tip through the Sheriff’s Office website at FirstSheriff.com/tips. •App: Send a tip directly through the SMCSO app. Download the free app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. •Phone: For those who prefer to make a phone call, tips can also be shared through the Crime Solvers line at 301-475-3333. With Crime Solvers, you never have to give your name. You may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

Deputies responded to 1,813 calls for service last week, continuing our commitment to protect and serve the residents of St. Mary’s County. 📍 Want to learn more about public safety activity in your area? Visit FirstSheriff.com. On the homepage, scroll down to the "I Want To..." section and select "View the Interactive Crime Map (Citizen Connect)" to explore reported incidents and public safety trends in St. Mary’s County.

Traffic Tip Tuesday: Maryland resident with out-of-state tags? The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office reminds drivers that new vehicle registration requirements took effect October 1. If you receive an MVA notice, you have 60 days to title and register your vehicle in Maryland, obtain an applicable nonresident permit, or provide documentation explaining why Maryland registration is not required. Check the requirements and exceptions: mva.maryland.gov/your-mva-gu…

UPDATE: 10/13/26 Missing Person Investigation Continues A coordinated search conducted by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, October 9, in the Maycroft Road area of Avenue concluded without locating missing person Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz, 58. The investigation into his disappearance remains ongoing. Von Goetz voluntarily left his residence on August 16 and is believed to have last been seen on foot in the area. He was subsequently reported missing to the Sheriff’s Office. Von Goetz is a white male, approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighs 205 pounds. He was last seen wearing dark-colored pants and a light-colored shirt. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Helen Deitrich at 301-475-4200, ext. 8066, or [email protected]. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through tip411 by: • Text 847411: start your message with “SMCSO”, add a space, and then your tip. • Online: Submit a tip through the Sheriff’s Office website at FirstSheriff.com/tips. • App: Send a tip directly through the SMCSO app. Download the free app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Every month, deputies with the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office respond to calls involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. These calls often require patience, communication, and a thoughtful approach to help ensure the safety of everyone involved. Our monthly Mental Health Crisis Report provides a snapshot of those responses and reflects our ongoing commitment to Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, collaboration with community partners, and connecting people with the care they need whenever possible. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911. #FirstSheriff

Motor Vehicle Accident North Shangri La Drive near Great Mills Rd. in Lexington Park will be closed for about 30 minutes due to a motor vehicle accident.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Planned Police Activity in Avenue – Missing Person Investigation Residents along Maycroft Road in Avenue should expect an increased law enforcement presence early Friday morning, Oct. 9, as the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office conducts a planned search in connection with an ongoing missing person investigation. Deputies and other law enforcement personnel will be searching for Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz, 58, who was reported missing to the Sheriff’s Office. Von Goetz is described as a white man, approximately 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighing 205 pounds. He is believed to have last been seen on foot near Maycroft Road on Aug. 16, wearing dark-colored pants and a light-colored shirt. Public assistance with the search is not requested at this time. However, anyone with information about Von Goetz’s whereabouts or who may have seen him in the area is asked to contact Detective Helen Deitrich at 301-475-4200, ext. 8066, or [email protected]. Anonymous tips are also welcome through tip411: Text: Send “SMCSO” followed by a space and your tip to 847411. Online: FirstSheriff.com/tips App: Submit a tip through the free SMCSO app. We appreciate the community’s understanding as law enforcement personnel conduct this search. #FirstSheriff