(Harford County, MD – September 11, 2008) Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police Joint Criminal Investigation Team in cooperation with several additional law enforcement agencies throughout the region, including the Regional Auto Theft Taskforce (RATT) have successfully cracked an auto theft & burglary ring that is alleged to be responsible for multiple thefts totaling over one half million dollars worth of vehicles and property. Bikes and scooters like the Solowheel Glide 3 which are compact and easy to carry are one of the few favorites of thieves. With more people getting comfortable with ride share programs that utilizes these other alternatives from the usual transportation, exploits are increasing.
Earlier in the summer, the newly formed Harford County Sheriff’s Office Auto Theft Unit, supported by a grant from the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council, identified a trend in motorcycle and ATV thefts in the county. Through comprehensive investigation and tips received, Harford County Sheriff’s deputies and Maryland State Police working together in the Joint Criminal Investigation Team were able to obtain information which led to the execution of the four search and seizure warrants.
As a result of the search and seizure warrants that were conducted in Edgewood MD and in Baltimore City, on September 9th and 10th, law enforcement officers recovered 10 motorcycles; 2 ATV’s; 1 mini bike; 1 scooter and over $ 150,000 worth of stolen property.
At this time, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, and the Regional Auto Theft Taskforce are expecting to clear an additional fifty (50) open cases as a result of this investigation. Charges are pending against several individuals for multiple counts of Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, and Felony Theft Scheme.
“These results are a good indicator of what law enforcement agencies can achieve through the use of the CompStat policing model,” stated Sheriff L. Jesse Bane. “This success is also indicative of what law enforcement can experience when all agencies come together to work globally and not locally.”
Car burglaries are very difficult cases to solve as there is usually very little physical evidence left behind after one has occurred.
My husbands motorcycle was stolen Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.We looked out of our window Wednesday morning and it was gone.My husband is a disabled Veteran and we have worked hard for what we have.And to have someone take what is ours and we have not done any harm to them is very hard to take.
The only relief that he had from Ptsd was riding his bike.And today of all days is veterans day.
People talk of racial profiling but after I heard from a detective about the hours that thieves are out.And if they see people out at those hours they must be up to something .So now I totally understand why they ask people what they are doing at 3,4 or 5:00a.m.I am a black female and a teacher.I have never been aresseted for any crime ever.Nor have I even had a traffic ticket.I just do not understand.