City Of Milton: Jury Convicts 3 Men In Connection To Burglaries In Milton And Maryland

Press release from the City of Milton:

09/20/2021 3:57 PM

A federal jury has convicted three men in connection to burglaries at three Milton residences and about 17 more in Maryland, a case made in part by surveillance and evidence shared by Milton police with federal authorities and Baltimore County police.

The three men have yet to be sentenced, but two of them could face up to 35 years in federal prison while the third faces up to five years. They were found guilty late last Wednesday on conspiracy and transportation of stolen property counts after three hours of jury deliberation that capped a 10-day trial.

From November 29, 2017, through January 26, 2018, the three men stole at least $850,000 worth of property and cash from multiple jurisdictions in the burglary spree, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for Maryland. One would drive around slowly in a getaway car while the other two would break in doors wearing masks and gloves to take cash, safes, jewelry, designer bags and clothing, electronics, collectibles and items of sentimental value.

Most of these crimes occurred in Maryland. But on one January night, three Milton residences were broken into, one after-the-other-after-the-other.

Video surveillance from outside one house showed a pair of men – one in a distinctive jacket – and helped Milton police get and share a basic description of the suspects. Officers also determined that approximately $2,500 in coins had been taken from another residence.

The case broke open about a month later when Baltimore County, Maryland, police contacted Milton Police Detective Christopher Bradshaw about similar break-ins in their area. Officers from that Department, in fact, had identified and caught the suspects in the act before arresting them after a short chase.

Detective Bradshaw (who was recently promoted to sergeant) passed along the Milton surveillance video that showed one assailant wearing a jacket with a reflective emblem on the back – one identical to that worn by one of the men arrested. Maryland police also discovered stolen material in the suspects’ car that included a sack of change, as well as a class ring and other items stolen in Milton in a hotel room rented by the suspects.

Milton Police Chief Rich Austin thanked law enforcement partners in Maryland, including the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland for their work in putting together such a strong case. Bradshaw’s testimony during the Court proceedings was necessary and helpful to the prosecution.

“We hope that the conclusion to this case brings some solace and justice to the burglary victims here in Georgia as well as those in Maryland,” Austin said. “And we are grateful that our department – thanks to the stellar work of Detective Bradshaw – could play a role in making that happen.”

This press release was produced by the City of Milton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.