Edwin Rowe Kline, 31, and Joseph Poole Kline, 26, both of Lexington Park, were arrested in connection with a series of thefts of the contents of unlocked vehicles in the California area on May 20. (Arrest photos)
LEONARDTOWN, Md. (May 24, 2010) - The St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) today released the following report of arrests in connection with multiple thefts in the California area.
ARRESTS IN THEFT CASES, RECOVERY OF STOLEN PROPERTY: On May 20, police responded to multiple reports of thefts from unlocked vehicles in the California area of St. Mary's County. The total loss value from the initial thefts totaled several thousand dollars in property. Detectives with the Bureau of Criminal Investigations assumed the investigation and were able to identify two suspects in the case. The suspects were identified as Joseph Poole Kline, 26, and Edwin Rowe Kline, 31, both of Lexington Park. Detectives conducted an extensive investigation, reviewing video surveillance and interviewing multiple witnesses to identify the suspects. During the investigation, five search and seizure warrants were executed on several locations to include three residences in Lexington Park, a vehicle, and a storage unit. During the investigation numerous stolen items were recovered from various locations. Detectives are attempting to identify owners of the property and will contact the owners as the property is identified. The suspects were transported to the St. Mary's County Detention Center and charged with four counts of theft under $1000.00. Additional charges are pending, following a State's Attorney's review.
Anyone with information about the thefts or ownership of the recovered property is asked to contact the Bureau of Criminal Investigations at (301) 475-4200 x 1950.
BCI 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.