On October 28, at approximately 8:15 p.m., officers responded to the 1000 block of Orchard Avenue for a report of man with a firearm attempting to gain entry into a residence. When officers arrived at the scene, they observed a male matching the description of the suspect banging on the front door of the residence. After placing the male in custody and searching him, officers discovered a bag of an unknown white powder and over $3,700 cash. Shah Richardson-Banks, 40, of Bunker Hill, West Virginia, was charged with distribution of a controlled substance; possession of a weapon by a felon; assault and battery; obstruction of justice using threat and/or force; and possession of a firearm and drugs.
At the scene, officers conducted interviews with the people inside the residence. Each person claimed that Richardson-Banks had entered the home earlier in the night and began yelling, then held a knife to one of the subjects’ neck. A brief physical altercation ensued as the subjects attempted to take the knife. Richardson-Banks then left the home as he threatened the use of a firearm, and later returned with a hand-gun that he retrieved from another subject’s vehicle. Police found the firearm hidden outside of the residence.
The investigation led to additional evidence being seized. Multiple syringes were found to be in the possession of Jodie Lynn Kelly, 38, and Kathryn Lynn Polkar, 36, both of Frederick County. Officers also seized a white powder suspected to be cocaine and various pills.
Kelly was summonsed and charged with possession of paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. Poklar was also summonsed and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Rachel Katherine Safford, 34, of Frederick County, was found hiding in the attic of the residence and arrested on an outstanding warrant for probation violation.
Richardson-Banks and Safford were each transported to the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center. Safford is being held without bond.