Officer Arrested, Charged With Stealing Guns: Anne Arundel Police

ANNE CRUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County police arrested one of their own officers on Saturday. The accused officer, Jacob Miskill, is accused of stealing guns and other property from a dead person's home while he was on duty.

Miskill faces four felony charges and two misdemeanors, including misconduct in office. He is suspended without pay.

Police say Miskill stole the guns on April 27 when he responded to an unattended death in the 1600 block of Wall Drive in Pasadena. Court documents say the offense happened on April 28. It's not clear how many guns were taken, but Miskill is charged with stealing between $1,500 and $25,000 worth of goods.

The Anne Arundel County Police Department heard a tip about the burglary on Friday. Interim Chief of Police William Lowry announced Miskill's suspension the next day.

The tip and ensuing investigation spanned the terms of both Lowry and his predecessor, Timothy Altomare. Friday was Altomare's last day in office before officially retiring.

Altomare announced his retirement two weeks ago, the day after an Odenton man filed a suit against the police department alleging excessive use of force. The man, Daniel Jarrells, says an officer knelt on his neck while he was already handcuffed. Jarrells seeks at least $75,000 in damages.

The former police chief said he was not pressured into retiring, nor was his choice a reaction to the lawsuit. He instead said he could not be a part of a police force whose "officers are treated like criminals."

Lowry took office Saturday and will serve a term of 60 days. The County Council can formally extend his tenure to four months with a formal resolution. County Executive Steuart Pittman is searching for a full-time police chief.

"This Officer’s criminal actions tarnish the badge worn by every Anne Arundel County Police Officer and the actions are inexcusable," Lowry said in a press release. "The tarnish placed on our badge will be removed by the honorable and continual service of our Police Department, as was demonstrated today by the immediate criminal investigation into this incident resulting in the arrest of this Officer."

Miskill was released on recognizance on Sunday, meaning he does not need to pay bail as long as he shows up to his court dates. The case does not yet have a trial scheduled.

"When a police officer uses the authority bestowed by the badge to facilitate criminal activity of any kind, that officer is undermining law enforcement everywhere," Pittman said. "This cannot and will not be tolerated."

Police are still conducting a criminal and internal investigation in this case. The department asks anybody with information to call detectives at (410) 222-4700 or the Office of Professional Standards at (410) 222-8740.

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