LEONARDTOWN, Md. — A swift investigation by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of William Francis Dixon, 52, of Mechanicsville, on Tuesday evening, March 18, 2025, following a chilling attempted kidnapping and armed robbery the previous day. The arrest unfolded after deputies pieced together security footage, witness tips, and a victim’s courage, closing the net on a suspect with a violent past stretching back decades.
The ordeal began Monday, March 17, around 3:30 p.m. in the 28000 block of Old Village Road. A female victim reported that an unknown man—later identified as Dixon—approached her, assaulted her, and wielded a knife, attempting to force her into his teal Saturn SUV. She fought back fiercely, escaping to her car and speeding away as Dixon fled south on Route 235. Security footage from a nearby store revealed a calculated move: Dixon had tailed her from her earlier shopping stop, a partial license plate offering the first break in the case.
By Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office had momentum. Detectives matched the vehicle to its registered owners, linking it to Dixon, whose image from the store’s video aligned with the victim’s description: a white male, 5 feet 10 inches, heavyset, with brown facial hair and glasses. The victim confirmed his identity in a photo lineup, and a witness, spurred by a Sheriff’s news release featuring the SUV, called 911 with Dixon’s name, vehicle details, and residence. That evening, deputies raided a home in the 26000 block of Forrest Hall Drive, seizing evidence and taking Dixon into custody without incident.
Sheriff Steve Hall lauded the effort. “The victim in this case showed incredible courage and will to fight while facing danger,” he said. “Witnesses provided keen eyes and a willingness to speak up, offering critical information that guided our investigation. Agency members displayed the ability to stay calm in the chaos, along with the expertise and determination to get the job done.” Dixon now faces eight charges, including kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, first- and second-degree assault, armed robbery, and weapons offenses, plus theft between $100 and $1,500. He’s held at the Leonardtown Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.
Dixon’s rap sheet casts a long shadow. In 1994, at age 22, he pleaded guilty to second-degree rape and attempted first-degree murder after stabbing a 28-year-old woman over 40 times with a screwdriver in St. Mary’s County, per court records. Sentenced to life, suspended to 40 years, he was on parole when this latest crime struck.
The victim’s escape and the community’s response turned a predator’s plan into a rapid arrest. Detectives urge anyone with more details to contact Andrew Burgess at 301-475-4200, ext. 8041, or Andrew.Burgess@stmaryscountymd.gov.