At approximately 8:25 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2021 officers from the Frederick Police Department responded to the Unit Block of South East Street for a robbery in progress. Upon arrival, officers quickly made contact with a female victim with minor injuries.
The female victim, who drives a taxi, stated that a male wearing a white sleeveless shirt and white shorts approached her and asked the taxi cab to drive him to a local store. The male, later identified as Lafayette Thompson Sheffield, 46, then approached the driver and stated he had a firearm and intended to carjack the driver. Mr. Sheffield then got into a physical altercation with the victim and choked her as he tried to gain access to the car. During the altercation, bystanders began to came to assist the victim, and Mr. Sheffield fled the scene on foot.
Additional officers responded and conducted a K9 scan of the area, and a short time later a resident called to report a man hiding in the area of B & O Ave. and Water Street. Officers responded to the area and were able to quickly locate Mr. Sheffield based on the description from the victim. He was apprehended without incident. The victim later positively identified Mr. Sheffield as her attacker.
Officers later located several packages of suspected controlled dangerous substances on Mr. Sheffield’s person consistent with white powdered substances such as cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. The approximate value of the drugs is between $800 and $1,600. Detectives also located more than $700 cash on Mr. Sheffield’s person in small bills.
As a result, Mr. Sheffield has been charged with the following:
- Reckless endangerment
- Armed Robbery
- Carjacking
- Armed Carjacking
- Unlawful taking of a motor vehicle
- Theft of $1,000-$10,000
- Possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance
Case number: 21-054358
Date: July 20, 2021
Location: Unit Block of South East Street
Incident Type: Carjacking
Lead investigator: OFC Clark
Author of release: Allen Etzler
POC: Allen Etzler – aetzler@cityoffrederickmd.gov