Cop arrested

Shadyside, in the southern end of Anne Arundel County, is known to police Corporal Rick Alexander. His exact ties to the 1300 block of Juniper St. are under investigation.

But his superiors say a tip given to people inside ‘1304’ placed his colleagues in danger and tampered a search warrant.

"While we were conducting interviews during the search warrant, one of the individuals inside that house indicated that they had received information from Cpl. Alexander saying that the raid was about to take place," said Capt. Joseph Jordan, Southern District Commander, Anne Arundel Co. Police Dept.

On Thursday at 10 p.m., Anne Arundel Co. police say five people, four men and one woman, were inside the home when detectives searched for drugs. George Graf heard the commotion.

"He said freeze. And the guy froze. And out of nowhere three more came out and they told them get on the ground or I'll blow your head off," said Graf.

Police found some drugs at first, but later tracked down a larger amount - nearly 83 grams of marijuana, a street value of $829.

They say Cpl. Alexander gave the people inside a heads up.

"We believe that Cpl. Alexander reached out to them through the telephone and was able to contact them. We don't believe he was at the scene when any of this occurred," said Capt. Jordan.

Investigators aren't saying his relationship, if any, to the five suspects. But neighbors know him. Some say they’ve seen cars coming and going from that house and what appears to be drug activity.

Cpl. Alexander is a 14-year member of the department. He was taken to the court commissioner and later released.

"We try to do these things in a covert manner, so whenever someone notifies them that the police is coming it obviously puts our officers in danger," said Capt. Jordan.

Corporal Alexander will still get paid as he fights the charges of Obstruction and Hindering a Police Officer, Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, and Misconduct in Office. His police powers have been suspended.