4 Facing Nearly 800 Charges Related To Gun Store Burglaries

A Maryland grand jury has returned charges against 4 individuals implicated in a string of gun store burglaries. Two of the suspects are minors aged 16 and 17. The oldest suspect is 20 years old. According to authorities, the squad committed burglaries against gun stores that netted 81 stolen firearms.

The indictments were announced by Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, who said that only 6 of the stolen guns have been recovered, and asked for the public’s help recovering the missing weapons.

All of the defendants are being charged as adults. AG Brown said, “This case has a two-fold mission. One: To hold accountable those who are responsible for breaking the law. And two: To find a host of stolen guns and remove them from our community.” Brown said the indictments and the choice to prosecute the minors as adults send a “clear message” to anyone who is found in possession of the stolen weapons. Brown said that they will be “found and prosecuted”. All of the suspects are being held without bail.

Each of the four suspects is facing around 200 charges apiece. These include charges of burglary, theft, conspiracy, possession of a stolen weapon, possession of a weapon by a minor, and malicious destruction of property, among other charges. Brown said that the burglars caused around $50,000 in damages to various stores that they burglarized.

Burglary charges in Maryland 

Essentially, the crime of burglary is defined as breaking and entering into a dwelling, business, or vehicle with the intent to commit a crime of violence or theft. In this case, the defendants are charged with multiple counts of burglary, each of which can cause a sentence of up to 20 years in state prison. 

Under Maryland Criminal Law Section 6-202, the crime of burglary in the first degree is defined as:

(a)         A person may not break and enter the dwelling of another with the intent to commit theft or a crime of violence.

(b)         A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of burglary in the first degree and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years.

If the defendants are charged with second-degree burglary, they can still face a sentence of 20 years since they were stealing firearms. Under Maryland Criminal Law Section 6-203:

(a)    A person may not break and enter the storehouse of another with the intent to commit theft, a crime of violence, or arson in the second degree.

(b)    A person may not break and enter the storehouse of another with the intent to steal, take, or carry away a firearm.

(c)    A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of burglary in the second degree and on conviction is subject to:

(1)    for a violation of subsection (a) of this section, imprisonment not exceeding 15 years; and

(2)    for a violation of subsection (b) of this section, imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.

In other words, even if the suspects are charged with burglary in the second degree, they can still face a potential sentence of up to 20 years.

Talk to a Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer Today 

Facing serious charges in Maryland? Then you need a skilled Bel Air criminal defense attorney with years of experience defending clients from the state. Call Schlaich & Thompson, Chartered today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense right away.

Source:

newsfromthestates.com/article/four-indicted-hundreds-counts-holiday-burglary-spree-maryland-gun-shops