TMCnet News
Annapolis police arrest suspect in Boys & Girls Club burglaryMar 21, 2013 (The Capital - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Annapolis Police have arrested a man who they believe was involved in stealing laptops and a TV from a local Boys & Girls Club. Akeem Howard, 18, of Madison Street in Annapolis, was arrested Wednesday and charged with several criminal offenses. He was taken to the Jennifer Road Detention Center and released after a bail review hearing. The Boys & Girls Club at 417 Captains Circle in Admiral Oaks was broken into on Feb. 19, with more than $15,000 of electronics taken. The stolen items included 14 Dell Latitude laptops, a 46-inch flat screen TV and an Xbox Kinect game console, police said. Club officials said at the time of the burglary that movies, video games, $80 in cash and even trash cans also were stolen. Altogether, the value of the stolen items was more like $25,000, said Reginald Broddie, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. The club has been working with donors and businesses, including Sam's Club, to raise money to replace the stolen equipment, Broddie said. "I have been extremely proud of the outpouring of concern from the community," Broddie said. The Xbox has been replaced, but not the games. The club is still without laptops. The club has been reluctant to file a claim with its insurance company, for fear that the rates would go up, Broddie said. Without the laptops, children who need to use computers for engineering and robotics programs and for homework have been bused to the Bates Boys & Girls Club about a mile and a half away to use computers there. But most other programs at Admiral Oaks have been able to go on as planned, Broddie said. Police said they were led to Howard by an anonymous tip. When officers questioned him, he admitted to trying to sell the laptops, but denied any involvement in the burglary, police said. Howard's charges include second-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary, theft of more than $1,000, theft of more than $10,000, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary and fourth-degree burglary. Police believe a second person was involved in the burglary and are still seeking tips. Anyone with information can contact Detective John Murphy at 410-268-9000 or [email protected]. Donations to the Admiral Oaks Boys & Girls Club can be arranged by calling Meredith Watson at 410-263-2542. ___ (c)2013 The Capital (Annapolis, Md.) Visit The Capital (Annapolis, Md.) at www.hometownannapolis.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |