A Savage man was found severely injured on a roadside near U.S. 1 in North Laurel Tuesday night, but Howard County police have to hold many of their questions until he regains consciousness.
Sanford Russell Walters Jr., 51, of the 8400 block of Woodward St., was listed in critical condition yesterday at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, a hospital spokeswoman said.
He was being treated for severe injuries to his face and head and for other wounds to his neck and legs, Howard rescue officials and police said.
About 10: 20 p.m. Tuesday, police and rescue officials responded to a call of a hit-and-run accident near U.S. 1 and North Laurel Road. They found a battered Mr. Walters and took him to Baltimore. But doctors told police Mr. Walters’ wounds did not appear to have been caused by a motor vehicle accident.
2 seized at motel, charged with planning a robbery
Two people were charged with planning a robbery Tuesday after a man armed with a knife forced his way into a woman’s motel room in North Laurel, Howard County police said.
William Alan Johnson, 30, of the 100 block of Ethel Drive in Laurel, and Michelle Lynn Sorrell-Nelson, 25, of the 3500 block of Spring Road in Laurel, were charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery, police said.
Mr. Johnson was being held at the Howard County Detention Center on $25,000 bond and Ms. Sorrell-Nelson was being held on $10,000 bond, police said.
Another man, Gregory Lewis Mullis, 29, of the 400 block of Hunlac Ave. in Hampton, Va., also was arrested as he tried to drive away when police arrived. He was not charged and was released after questioning at police headquarters in Ellicott City, police said.
The victim, Dianna Bane, 35, was not injured, police said.
About 10: 20 p.m., an acquaintance knocked on Ms. Bane’s door at the Turf Motel in the 9800 block of Washington Blvd. in North Laurel and started chatting with her. Soon, a man rushed in and pulled out a knife, police said.
He told Ms. Bane he was looking for a man who owed him money, threatening her with a knife to get answers. Ms. Bane managed to run from the room and call police, police said.
Officers arrived minutes later and arrested two men and a woman on the parking lot.
Arson suspected in fire that destroyed 8 cars
Howard County fire officials said yesterday that arson could be to blame for a fire that destroyed eight cars at a North Laurel auto dealership earlier this week.
About 2: 17 a.m. Monday, firefighters from Savage and Prince George’s County were alerted to a fire at the Laurel Auto Mart Inc. in the 9500 block of Washington Blvd., said Lt. Chris Cangemi, a spokesman for the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue.
When they got there, they found several cars on fire — a $120,000 loss. Two other cars on the lot appeared to have been vandalized, Lieutenant Cangemi said.
The state fire marshal’s office is investigating.
Police log
North Laurel: 9000 block of Moonshine Hollow: A black 1990 Buick Skylark with Maryland tags XWT-030 was stolen Monday or Tuesday.
Jessup: 7600 block of Assateague Drive: Burglars entered the rear garage door of a business Tuesday, cut a lock to an office door and stole a microwave, a toolbox and a fax machine.
Scaggsville: 11300 block of Harding Road: A gray 1983 Chevrolet truck with Maryland tags 1AB-900 was stolen Monday or Tuesday.
Pub Date: 4/11/96
