Policeman Suspended After Sleazy Texts

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - A 19-year old woman says a Prince George's County police officer began sending her sleazy text messages only minutes after leaving her apartment on official business.

Melanie Thornton called police Monday to report fraudulent financial transactions following the theft of her wallet. Less than ten minutes after the officer left her Suitland, Md. apartment, she noticed he was sitting in his cruiser apparently text-messaging on a cell phone. At that moment, her phone received a message saying, "Man, I thinking some nasty thoughts. Good thing i left. I would have asking you if you had any rubbers."

"When I read that I was shocked," said Thornton. "I didn't know what to do, and I got scared."

More messages followed over the next 16 minutes, including, "I'm about to come back and take a picture of you... Im one of those good dudes and cops.... [and] you didn't want me to leave didn't you?"

Melanie called her mom, 48-year-old Marlene Thornton, who left work immediately to come home to her shaken daughter.

On Tuesday, the pair went together to the District Three police station to file a complaint. Internal affairs began a probe immediately, according to a source in the department. Four hours after the complaint was filed, Officer Matthew Inzeo was suspended from the force. In confirming the suspension, Maj. Andrew Ellis said Inzeo will be asked to surrender his badge and his service weapon while the investigation continues.

Reached by phone, Inzeo said he was "not at liberty to make any comment" about the text messages.