On Monday at approximately 3:30 p.m., deputies responded to the 28000 block of Old Village Road for a reported attempted robbery. The adult female victim told deputies that an unknown man approached her, assaulted her, and threatened her with a knife while trying to force her into his vehicle. The victim fought off the attacker, got into her own car, and fled.
A review of security cameras near the area of the assault revealed that, on the day of the attack, the suspect followed the victim from a store where she had shopped earlier in the afternoon to the location where the attack occurred. Detectives got a partial license plate number from the store’s video and matched it with the vehicle described as the one the suspect was driving at the time of the crime. Deputies identified the vehicle's registered owners and connected the car to the suspect. Detectives were further able to identify the suspect on the security video as the operator of the vehicle.
On Tuesday, using a photo lineup, the victim positively identified William Francis Dixon as her attacker. That same day, a witness contacted 911 after seeing the Sheriff’s Office news release, which included an image of the suspect’s vehicle. The witness provided pertinent details, including the suspect’s identity. Detectives followed up with the witness, who confirmed familiarity with Dixon, his vehicle, and his residence, leading investigators to his location.
Subsequently, Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division executed a search and seizure warrant on March 18 at a residence in the 26000 block of Forrest Hall Drive in Mechanicsville, where Dixon was taken into custody. Evidence of the crime was located at the residence.
Following the arrest, Sheriff Steve Hall praised the collective efforts that led to a swift resolution. “The victim in this case showed incredible courage and will to fight while facing danger. 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, demonstrating a cool head under pressure to ensure justice moved swiftly. When the worst of humanity presents itself, it must be met with those willing to bring their very best and give their all—those people wear the patch of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office.”
Dixon has been charged with eight counts, including
Kidnapping
Attempted kidnapping
First-degree assault
Second-degree assault
Armed Robbery
Carrying a concealed dangerous weapon
Carrying a weapon with intent to cause injury
Theft of $100 to less than $1500
Dixon is currently on parole for a 1994 conviction for attempted first-degree murder and second-degree rape, following a guilty plea in the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County.
The suspect is being held at the Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown pending a bond hearing.
Anyone with additional information about this case should contact Detective Andrew Burgess at 301-475-4200, ext. 8041, or by email at Andrew.Burgess@stmaryscountymd.gov.
