LA PLATA, Md. - The Charles County Sheriff’s Office and La Plata Town Police are investigating a series of burglaries that have occurred recently in La Plata. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest.
According to police, the most recent incidents occurred on July 30 about 1 a.m. The Sheriff’s Office and Town Police were called to a residence in the 9400 block of May Day Street in La Plata for the report of a suspicious armed subject. The homeowner saw the suspect on his property and when he confronted the suspect, the suspect revealed a handgun in his waistband. The suspect fled prior to the officers’ arrival and despite a search of the area, officers were unable to locate him.
At 1:55 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office and Town Police responded to another residence on May Day Street for the report of an attempted burglary. The victim at this residence, which is located in the 9500 block, heard noises in his home and when he went to investigate, he discovered his back door was open. A Sheriff’s Office K9 team conducted a track, which lead to Hawthorne Road nearby and ended.
Officers returned to that neighborhood at 4:35 a.m. for the report of an intrusion alarm in the 9000 block of Hillary Court. They discovered the suspect had removed the screen on a window in the back of the house and fled without gaining entry. They searched the area again but did not locate the suspect.
Fifteen related incidents including 10 home burglaries, an attempted home burglary, a burglary alarm and three motor vehicle burglaries occurred in the town prior to the July 30 incidents. The locations include the 300, 400, 500, 600 and 800 blocks of Washington Avenue, the 300 block of Cecil Street, the 300 block of Prospect Avenue, the 200 block of Hawthorne Street, the 100 block of Oriole Lane and the 20 block of Pocahontas Court. The burglaries occurred between midnight and 3 a.m.
Each successful home and vehicle burglary involved an unlocked door or window and the suspect has stolen only cash. In most cases, the suspect enters the home and flees undetected, and residents discover the burglaries the following morning.
In two instances, including the first incident on May Day Street, residents saw the suspect at the scene of the burglary. The second such incident occurred in the 600 block of Washington Avenue, when the suspect burglarized the home and members of the family awoke to him entering through a window. The suspect fled the home when officers arrived on the scene and the officers were unable to apprehend him. The suspect is only described as a white or light-complexioned black male.
Police are reminding La Plata residents to always lock their doors and windows and ensure no valuables, including any money, are left in plain sight. The Sheriff’s Office and the Town Police are also urging residents to report any suspicious activity or suspicious persons to police immediately.
The Sheriff’s Office and the Town Police are working together to identify the suspect and make an arrest. Anyone with information can call the Sheriff’s Office at 301-932-2222 or Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest or indictment in this investigation and all callers remain anonymous.