A Baltimore County police dog helped apprehend a burglary suspect on May 1. The alleged crime occurred at 11:22 p.m. in the 600 block of Charing Cross Road in Catonsville. Police were called to the scene after a homeowner heard a noise outside and then saw a man walking toward the garage.
The police dog located the accused a block away with a Honda lawnmower that was allegedly stolen from the garage. According to police, the accused ran from the scene and was later arrested in a wooded area near Martin Drive and Sedgewood Road. He is being held on $7,500 bail for multiple theft charges, including second-degree burglary, fourth-degree theft, theft of less than $1,000 and resisting/interfering with arrest.
Burglary convictions can have serious consequences, even for items less than $1,000. If the suspect is convicted of all charges, he could be sentenced to fines, probation or even jail. He could also face civil litigation if any property was damaged during the alleged burglary.
Individuals accused of burglary or theft have a right to defend themselves against the charges. They may benefit from speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney, who could examine the incident and argue on behalf of the accused. It may be possible that burglary charges are inappropriate for the alleged crime or that the incident was a result of a misunderstanding or miscommunication between the accused and the homeowner. A criminal defense attorney could also argue for lesser charges or sentences depending on the circumstances. It is very important that those accused seek support from criminal law professionals in order to better prepare themselves for these situations.
Source: http://catonsville.patch.com/, “Police: K-9 Catches Alleged Burglar“, Janet Metzner, May 10, 2013