Waldorf Man Faces Felony Charges After Gun Threat Near Pizza Hut, Drug Arrest

A 37-year-old Waldorf man faces felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities say he pointed a firearm at a worker near a Crain Highway Pizza Hut and threatened to kill him, then was arrested days later in a darkened car outside a local bar with a loaded handgun and suspected drug distribution materials.

According to charging documents filed by the Charles County Sheriff's Office, the first incident unfolded on February 26, 2026, near 3220 Crain Highway in Waldorf. An adult male employee at the business next to the Pizza Hut opened a rear door and found Carioco Jovan Grimes standing near the driver's side of a vehicle, holding what the documents describe as a brown military-style firearm. Authorities allege Grimes pointed the weapon at the man and said, "I'm going to kill you." The victim immediately closed the door and called emergency services. Grimes left the scene in a burgundy passenger car with a missing door handle.

Investigators identified Grimes after the victim showed deputies a photograph on his phone, naming the man in the image as "Rico Grimes." Law enforcement databases confirmed the identity, and Grimes' booking photo matched the image the victim had provided.

Three days later, in the early morning hours of March 1, a Charles County Sheriff's Office deputy spotted a suspicious vehicle near Business Park Court in Waldorf, outside The Cut Bar & Restaurant. The vehicle, a red Toyota Prius, sat with its lights off and its engine running; exhaust visible from the tailpipe confirmed it was still on. Grimes was arrested during that encounter. Deputies recovered a loaded handgun, drugs, and suspected drug distribution materials, and charging documents reference nearly a pound of marijuana among the seized items.

Grimes is charged in the District Court for Charles County in connection with both incidents. The Charles County Sheriff's Office describes the case as involving a long list of felony and misdemeanor counts, though the specific statutes and charge totals were not detailed in documents available at the time of publication. The case remains pending in court.