WALDORF, Md. — Charles County Sheriff’s Office patrol officers arrested two men August 25, 2025, following an armed robbery during a cannabis sale in the Bannister Circle and Hamilton Place area, recovering a stolen firearm and more than two pounds of cannabis. Cedric Tyrone Ford, 21, of Washington, D.C., and Cartiz Antonio Young, 27, of Waldorf, face robbery charges, with Ford also charged with weapons and drug violations. The arrests came after a brief foot pursuit and canvass, highlighting law enforcement’s response to drug-related crimes in the region.
The incident occurred around 7:20 p.m. when officers responded to reports of an armed robbery. The victim was selling cannabis when the suspects approached, displayed a firearm and took the cannabis. They also compelled the victim to send money through a mobile payment application before leaving the scene. Officers, including a K-9 unit, searched the area promptly.
Ford was located during the canvass and fled on foot, leading to a short pursuit before his apprehension. A search revealed he possessed a stolen semi-automatic handgun and over two pounds of cannabis. The firearm had been reported stolen to another law enforcement agency. Young returned to the vicinity soon after and was taken into custody without resistance.
Both suspects were transported to the Charles County Detention Center. Ford, prohibited from owning firearms due to prior legal issues, faces charges including robbery, weapons offenses, drug violations and violation of probation. A judge ordered him held without bond. Young is charged with robbery and also held without bond. The sheriff’s office continues to investigate aspects related to the cannabis involved.
This case unfolded in Bannister Circle, a residential area in Waldorf known for occasional drug transactions that escalate into violence. Earlier in 2025, the same location saw another armed robbery March 19, when three suspects targeted a man and his nine-months-pregnant girlfriend while they walked nearby. In that incident, patrol officers and detectives arrested three men, with a fourth still sought as of March 22. The suspects in that case exited a vehicle, brandished guns and stole items including a coat, shoes and a cellphone before fleeing. One of the arrested was a former high school football coach in Charles County, charged alongside a former player. That robbery also involved a chase, ending with arrests after the vehicle crashed.
The recovered cannabis, exceeding two pounds, points to distribution-level quantities under Maryland law, where possession of more than 1.5 ounces can lead to intent-to-distribute charges. Since recreational cannabis legalization in 2023, unlicensed sales remain illegal, often leading to robberies as transactions occur outside regulated dispensaries. The ongoing investigation may examine sources of the cannabis and any connections to larger networks operating in Southern Maryland, where proximity to Washington, D.C., facilitates cross-border activity.
Ford’s prohibition on firearms stems from prior convictions, a common factor in weapons charges. Maryland law bars certain individuals, including those with felony records or under probation, from possessing guns, with violations carrying mandatory minimum sentences. The stolen firearm’s origin from another agency underscores interstate theft rings, which federal task forces like the ATF trace through serial numbers.
Young’s arrest without incident upon returning suggests possible intent to retrieve items or monitor the scene, a behavior seen in some robbery cases. Both men’s detention without bond reflects judicial assessment of flight risk and community safety, standard in armed robbery proceedings. Initial court appearances would involve formal charging, with potential for bail review hearings.
As the investigation proceeds, additional charges could emerge if links to other crimes surface. The victim, unharmed physically, cooperated with officers, aiding the quick resolution. Authorities remind the public to report suspicious activity promptly, supporting efforts to reduce robberies in familiar local spots.
