Frederick police may have made largest recovery

December 15, 2003|by TARA REILLY

The Frederick Police Department said Friday it may have made the largest recovery of stolen property in the history of the department, after a search of an apartment Thursday night turned up thousands of dollars in suspected stolen property.

Other suspected stolen items were found in a nearby wooded area, police said.

The findings led to numerous theft and theft-related charges against Catherine May Oland, 46, and her 14- and 15-year-old sons, police said.

Police served a search and seizure warrant at 1092 Greenwall Place, Apt. 1D, Frederick, Md., at about 10 p.m. The search was the result of a lengthy investigation started in the summer by Officer Brian Payne, the Directed Patrol Unit and other members of the department, police said.

Police said the apartment was filled with tools, bicycles, equipment and numerous other items believed to have been stolen over the past year. Police also found a handgun that was believed to have been stolen, they said.

A dog and eight turtles of three different species found in the apartment were turned over to Frederick County Animal Control, police said.

Most of the suspected thefts took place in the U.S. 40 area, on the east side of U.S. 15 and south of West Patrick Street, in the areas of Thomas and Braddock avenues and other streets, police said.

Police believe the thefts may have begun in the summer of 2002 and included breaking and enterings and unattended property thefts.

Police charged Oland with possession of a stolen regulated firearm, conspiracy to possess a stolen regulated firearm, theft over $500, conspiracy to commit theft over $500, theft under $500, conspiracy to commit theft under $500, conspiracy to commit second degree burglary and conspiracy to rogue and vagabond (breaking and entering to vehicles), police said.

Oland's 15-year-old son was charged with three counts of theft under $500, two counts of theft over $500, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of a regulated firearm by a minor, rogue and vagabond, possession of a stolen regulated firearm and second degree burglary.

Her 14-year-old son was charged with two counts of theft over $500, two counts of theft under $500, second degree burglary, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of a regulated firearm by a minor, rogue and vagabond and possession of a stolen regulated firearm.

As of Friday afternoon, both sons had been detained by officials with the Department of Juvenile Justice.

A Frederick County Adult Detention Center employee said Oland was not being held there as of Saturday night. Police said Friday that Oland's bond has been $3,000.

Police have asked that members of the public who believe their property may have been recovered or were a victim of a reported or unreported theft to contact Payne at 301-360-3921.

Anyone seeking to recover stolen property should be prepared to document their ownership through specific descriptions, such as serial numbers and store receipts.

|

|

|