Two Charged In 13 Burglaries At Small Businesses: Harford Sheriff

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Authorities say they have charged two men in connection with a slew of burglaries reported at snowball stands and crab shacks in Harford County over the past month. The businesses were typically hit overnight, and deputies spent hours investigating after noticing the trend.

"For several weeks, these suspects have preyed on small local businesses in our community," Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said in a statement.

A break in the case came last week at Blue Crab House in Jarrettsville.

At 10:51 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, the Harford County Sheriff's Office received a call for service in the 3500 block of Ady Road about a commercial burglary alarm system that had gone off.

It was the second time in less than four weeks that Blue Crab House was burglarized, officials said; it was also struck Monday, July 22.

When they arrived on Aug. 16, deputies said they found there had been a burglary, but those responsible had already left.

A short time later officials said they located the suspect vehicle, made a traffic stop and arrested three people. The two men taken into custody and their vehicle were connected to 12 commercial burglaries and one attempt in Harford County since July 21, officials said Thursday, Aug. 22.

Jonathon Greer, 26, of the 2000 block of Greylock Court in Bel Air, and Matthew Aaron White, 30, of the unit block of Chestnut Street in Havre de Grace, face multiple charges, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office:

• Second and fourth-degree burglary
• Malicious destruction of property
• Theft less than $100
• Theft from $100 to less than $1,500
• Theft from $1,500 to less than $25,000

White is being held at the Harford County Detention Center without bail, according to court records.

Greer is being held with bail set at $10,000, records show.

Jessica Marie Rudacille, 30, of the 900 block of Hillswood Road in Bel Air, was charged with conspiracy to commit second-degree burglary and released on her own recognizance, after officials said she was arrested during the traffic stop following the Blue Crab House burglary.

Authorities allege Greer and White are responsible for burglaries from July 21 to Aug. 16 at these businesses:

• Sunday, July 21 – Dublin Snoball Stand, 1500 block of Whiteford Road in Whiteford
• Sunday, July 21 – Provider Seafood, 2400 block of Whiteford Road in Whiteford
• Sunday, July 21 – Ice Hole Snowballs, 2400 block of Whiteford Road in Whiteford
• Monday, July 22 – Blue Crab House, 3500 block of Ady Road in Street
• Tuesday, July 23 – Richard’s Seafood, 2200 block of Churchville Road in Bel Air
• Wednesday, July 24 – Winters Run Inn, 1900 block of Philadelphia Road in Joppa
• Wednesday, July 24 – Brooms Bloom, 1700 block of South Fountain Green Road in Bel Air
• Wednesday, July 31 – Fast Eddie’s Pit Beef, 2800 block of Bel Air Road in Fallston
• Wednesday, July 31 – Mr. Ed’s Crabs, 3000 block of Churchville Road in Churchville
• Friday, Aug. 2 – Provider Seafood, 2400 block of Whiteford Road in Whiteford
• Friday, Aug. 2 – Wargo’s Restaurant, 300 block of East Jarrettsville Road in Forest Hill (attempt)
• Friday, Aug. 2 – Subway, 1100 block Baldwin Mill Road in Jarrettsville
• Friday, Aug. 16 – Blue Crab House, 3500 block of Ady Road in Jarrettsville

"I am proud of our detectives and deputies, as well as our allied law enforcement partners, who worked tirelessly to locate and arrest the suspects responsible for these incidents," Gahler said.

According to the sheriff's office, Blue Crab House was not the only business that was hit twice. Authorities reported Provider Seafood was also burglarized July 21 and Aug. 2 during the burglary spree.

The morning of Aug. 2, Provider Seafood's owners posted a message on Facebook alerting its fans about the situation and expressing concern.

"We were broken into yet again last night. We are working with the police, and they did increase their presence in our area since the last time. Yes, we have cameras now and yes, the footage is now in the hands of the police department. I know there are bad apples anywhere you go, but I am seriously contemplating if we can have a successful business in the community that I once called home," Provider Seafood posted on its Facebook page.

"We do have great customers, and we appreciate each and everyone of you; however, for a family-owned small business this is really taking us to our knees," Provider Seafood reported. "For those of you that know me personally you know I am a very positive and optimistic person but a person can only take so much."

The investigation continues, and anyone with information about the burglaries may call the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 410-879-7929.

To remain anonymous, send a tip online to Metro Crime Stoppers, call Harford Crime Solvers at 1-888-540-8477 or text the tip to Metro Crime Stoppers at 274637 with "MCS" plus the message.