Edward Raleigh Curley IV
LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A local man’s attempt to crush a suspected crack cocaine pipe in front of police ended in his arrest, authorities reported, highlighting a tense encounter in Lexington Park that led to multiple charges and court proceedings. Edward Raleigh Curley IV, 44, faces criminal charges in Maryland while also being wanted as a fugitive from Pennsylvania.
On March 4, 2026, police responded to a residence in Lexington Park, Maryland, where they encountered Curley. Authorities determined he had an active warrant for theft by unlawful taking of movable property out of Somerset, Pennsylvania.
During the encounter, Curley allegedly removed a glass smoking device from his coat pocket. Officers ordered him to release the device, but he initially refused and asked whether it could simply be stomped on and destroyed.
When the pipe did not break, Curley allegedly attempted to stomp it before ultimately relinquishing it.
According to police documents, the recovered pipe contained burnt residue suspected to be crack cocaine. Curley was arrested without further incident and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) not cannabis, possession of CDS paraphernalia, and altering physical evidence in a criminal proceeding, according to court records.
Curley’s bond for the Maryland charges is set at $1,500, with a trial scheduled for April 21, 2026.
In addition, he is held without bond on the fugitive from justice charge out of Pennsylvania, with a bond review hearing scheduled for March 16, 2026. The Pennsylvania charge stems from a theft case in Somerset.
If convicted, the Maryland charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 5 years for CDS possession, up to 2 years for paraphernalia possession, and up to 10 years for altering physical evidence, while the Pennsylvania theft charge could result in additional penalties.
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