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The original item was published from 4/15/2014 3:11:00 PM to 5/16/2014 12:10:01 AM.

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Posted on: April 15, 2014

[ARCHIVED] Sixth Arrest Made in January Kidnapping and Robbery Case (CID) Update #4

Mera Fraley.jpg

Detectives with the Frederick Police Department have made a 6th arrest in connection with a January kidnapping and robbery...

Update #4: 04/15/2014 Cpl Lapp

On April 14, 2014 Detectives with the Frederick Police Department made a 6th arrest in the January 2014 armed robbery and kidnapping which occurred in the area of E 16th Street and N. East Street Frederick MD.

On March 4, 2014 the Frederick County Maryland Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Mera Nichole Fraley in regards to her involvement in the January robbery case. Fraley was arrested in Washington DC over the weekend and was held as a fugitive from Maryland pending an extradition hearing in Washington DC.

Subsequent to the extradition hearing detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division of the Frederick Police Department took custody of Fraley Monday evening and transported Fraley back to Frederick County Maryland. Fraley was transported to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center where she was being held pending an initial appearance.

Mera Fraley is the 6th person to be arrested in this case which occurred in January 2014 following the arrests of; Darryl Lee Cooke Jr (18 years old) of Frederick MD, Tayquan Cornell Palmer (18 years old) of Frederick MD, Jerrell Isaiah Smith (18 years old) of Frederick MD, Najee Edward Dawson (20 years old) of Frederick MD, and Hailee Lynn Baker (20 years old) of Frederick MD.

In addition to the armed robbery case Fraley was wanted by the Frederick Police Department on two other outstanding warrants after failing to appear in court for charges of Drug Possession and Theft. Those warrants were also served on Fraley at the time of arrest.

Arrestee:
Mera Nichole Fraley
DOB 04/06/1991
13000 Block Old Frederick Road
Rocky Ridge, Maryland 21778

Charges:
(2) Counts of armed robbery
(2) Counts of robbery
(1) Count of 1st degree assault
(1) Count of theft less than $1000
(1) Conspiracy to commit armed robbery
(1) Conspiracy to commit robbery
(1) Conspiracy to commit 1st degree assault
(1) Conspiracy to commit theft less than $1000

Case#: 2014-001919
Investigator: Det. S. Petruzzello
Author: Cpl A. Lapp
301-600-6390

Prior Releases:

Follow-up #3 to the robbery investigation, CR#2014-001919

On 1/9/2013, at approximately 2230 hours, Detectives with the Frederick Police Department apprehended an additional suspect in this case. Tayquan Cornell Palmer (B/M, 03-02-95) was arrested in the 300 block of E. 3rd St.in Frederick, MD without incident. Palmer will be charged with Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, and 1st Degree Assault. Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call the lead detective, Steve Petruzzello at 301-600-4110 or the Frederick Police Department Crime Tip Line at 301-600-TIPS.

Author of release: D/Sgt. J.P. Hayer @ 301-600-1265

Follow-up to the robbery investigation. (CR # 2014-001919)

On January 9, 2014, at approximately 12:24 am, officers from the Frederick Police Department were notified of an attempted robbery and subsequent shots fired that occurred in the 800 block of Stratford Way. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with the victim who stated he was in the area of 16th St in Frederick, Maryland when his vehicle was blocked in by another vehicle. Several subjects exited the vehicle and approached him with handguns. The victim was then taken, against his will, back to his apartment on Stratford Way where he was able to get free from the suspects. The victim fled into the apartment which caused the suspects to fire several shots into the door of the victim’s apartment.

Responding officers observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle leaving the area and attempted to make a traffic stop on that vehicle. The vehicle refused to stop and led members of the Frederick Police Department on a chase. Officers from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police later joined the pursuit which ended in the County on Ballenger Creek Pike. The officers involved in the pursuit were assisted from the air by the Maryland State Police Helicopter. During the pursuit, officers observed the occupants of the vehicle throw an object from the vehicle which was subsequently recovered and found to be a handgun. Officers were able to disable the vehicle using Stop Sticks that flattened the tires of the vehicle, safely bringing the pursuit to an end. One of the occupants of the vehicle fled the vehicle on foot as it came to a stop and was later apprehended in a nearby yard.

Detectives from the Frederick Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division responded to assist patrol officers with the investigation. As a result, the female driving the SUV was arrested and charged with fleeing and eluding and three other suspects in the vehicle are in custody and will be charged in this case with numerous charges including armed robbery, kidnapping and numerous weapons related charges. It was also discovered, during the course of the investigation, that this was not a random act and that the victim and suspects are familiar with each other.

As a result of the pursuit and subsequent arrest of the suspects, a Frederick County Sheriff’s Office deputy, a Maryland State Police trooper, and a Frederick Police officer sustained minor injuries. The Deputy sustained an ankle injury, the Trooper a minor head injury and the FPD officer a minor cut to his hand. All injuries are non-life threatening and were treated by EMS and released.

Chief Thomas Ledwell of the Frederick Police Department would like to thank the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police and members of the Frederick Police Department stating that the safe conclusion of the pursuit and subsequent apprehension of the individuals involved is a direct result of the coordination and cooperation that exist between the allied agencies involved.

The staff at the Emergency Communication Center also commented that they were very proud of the excellent cooperation and dedication of all personnel involved, and the continued excellent working relationship between partner agencies to best serve the community. The incident last night is a perfect example of interoperability and once again shows the consolidated communications center in Frederick is a shining example in our state.

This investigation is still ongoing and additional charges are pending.

Booking photos are not available at the time of this release due to the offenders still being processed at Frederick County Central Booking.

Dawson, Najee Edward
11/09/93
Frederick Maryland
Robbery
Kidnapping
1st Degree Assault

Cooke, Darryl Lee Jr
6/19/1995
Frederick Maryland
Robbery
Kidnapping
1st Degree Assault
Driver:

Smith, Jerrell Isaiah
06/25/1995
Frederick Maryland
Robbery
Kidnapping
1st Degree Assault

Baker, Hailee Lynn
Frederick, MD 21701
Fleeing and Eluding and related traffic charges

For additional information please contact the Frederick Police Department's Public Information Officer, Lt Clark Pennington at 240-818-7022.

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