Story Category: Live Updates »

Charles County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested the suspect responsible for stealing spare tires from vehicles parked at a local commuter parking lot and for breaking into numerous vending machines throughout the county. The suspect has also been linked to several thefts across the region including St. Mary’s County and King George, VA. The arrest came about as the result of a patrol officer’s observations.

On March 20, Pfc. Lerch was conducting a patrol check at the Smallwood Park and Ride when he observed a suspicious Ford F-150 in the parking lot. Upon seeing the officer, the driver left the parking lot, struck a car and kept going. Officer Lerch initiated a traffic stop and discovered the driver, Scott Christopher Beal, 39, of Waldorf, was in possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Further, a tire was located in the bed of Beal’s truck. A check revealed the tire had been stolen from a car parked at the Park and Ride.

A subsequent investigation by detectives assigned to the CCSO Criminal Investigations Division revealed Beal had stolen numerous spare tires from the Mattawoman Park and Ride last week. In addition, detectives linked Beal to multiple thefts from vending machines at area car washes including: Age to Age Automotive in Hughesville; Speedy Clean Car Wash in Bryans Road; Glasva Citgo; McDaniel’s Car Wash in King George; Speedy Clean Car Wash in Waldorf; and Southern Pride Car Wash on Crain Highway.

Beal was arrested and charged with theft. He was remanded to the Charles County Detention Center with a $10,000 bond.

Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in Charles County that leads to an arrest or indictment. Anyone with information about a crime may contact Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or Text CHARLES + your tip to CRIMES or visit www.ccso.us to submit a web tip. All callers remain anonymous.

Orignial Story: www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/26646