The St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) was investigating the theft of money that was being stolen from a coin/cash machine located inside a restaurant in Mechanicsville, St. Mary's County, Maryland from November 2005 thru February 2006. The suspects were breaking into the cash machine and removing US Currency (undisclosed amount). With the assistance of the restaurant owner evidence was developed to identify the suspects.
Detectives from BCI further investigated the cases and attempted to locate the suspects. On February 14th, 2006 the suspects broke into the cash machine and were observed by employees leaving the business. Patrol officers stopped the suspect’s vehicle a short distance from the business and the suspects were detained. Detectives arrived on the scene and positively identified the suspects. It was determined that they had also broken into the cash machine on February 14th as well - stealing an undisclosed amount of money.
Evidence recovered from the suspects and their vehicle connected them to the crime. The suspects were identified as 43 year old Paul Allen Parker of Brandywine, MD. The other suspects were a 17 year old juvenile male from Brandywine, MD and a 16 year old juvenile male from La Plata, MD. They were placed under arrest and charged with various Theft Offenses. The adult male was also charged with two (2) counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
Suspect Parker was transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center and he is currently awaiting his appearance before the District Court Commissioner. The two (2) juveniles were charged and released to the custody of their guardians.
The St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations is an investigative team comprised of Detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police, Leonardtown Barrack. The unit was established on July 1, 2003 and is based in Leonardtown, Maryland.