Credit card scam hits area businesses

Scam artists have been posing as police officers in Carroll and other Baltimore region counties to try to get credit card information from businesses, officials said.

Employees refused to give the information when a man saying he was a Carroll sheriff’s deputy called Pizza Hut in South Carroll and another in Finksburg and another caller posing as a Westminster police officer at Rafael’s restaurant in Westminster, said Lt. Phil Kasten, spokesman for the Carroll sheriff’s office.

Officers would ask for credit card information only in person, if they needed it, he said — never over the phone.

In addition, callers tried the same scam on at least four businesses in Aberdeen in August and businesses in Annapolis, said Officer Jason Neidig, of the Aberdeen Police Department.

Man in detention center, not attending dad's funeral

The U.S. Marine Corps private charged with his father’s death remained in Montgomery County Detention Center on Friday rather than attend his funeral.

David Winters, 18, of North Potomac, was ordered held without bail Thursday by Montgomery County District Judge Gary Everngam, who said he was a threat to his family and the public.

Andrew Winters, 55, was found dead of multiple stab wounds late Tuesday night in Muddy Branch Park in Gaithersburg.

David Winters said he was walking with his father on Darnestown Road when several men attacked the pair, according to Montgomery police.

However, police determined that blood on David Winter’s clothing was inconsistent with his injury he suffered to his hands during the alleged attack and charged him with charged him with first-degree murder.

Andrew Winters’ funeral was held at Rockville’s Temple Beth Ami.

In the hearing, Barry Helfand, Winters’ attorney, criticized the prosecution’s charge as short on incriminating details. “We’re absent a weapon, a statement or an eyewitness,” he said.

Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy refused to comment on evidence from the ongoing investigation.

Winters faces a life sentence without parole; the crime does not qualify him for capital punishment, he said.

Route 50 closed for repairs starting Jan. 17

The upcoming Route 50 bridge closing in Ocean City will last no more than 35 days, said the State Highway Administration.

The closure is scheduled to begin Jan. 17, and engineers said the goal is to finish bridge renovations by Presidents Day weekend.

The only obstacle could be the weather. The contractor will get a bonus for finishing in fewer than 35 days and a penalty for missing the deadline. The bridge will close to marine traffic Jan. 7.

Motorists traveling to and from Ocean City will be detoured to the Route 90 bridge for the duration of the closing.

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