Unlocked Vehicles Easy Pickings for Edgewater Suspect: Police

An Edgewater man faces several theft charges for allegedly stealing iPods, cell phones, a wallet and other items from unlocked vehicles in the area.

Anne Arundel County Police say Richard Lee Barge, 29, of 677 Loch Haven Road in Edgewater is a frequent suspect in thefts from area vehicles.

Officers saw Barge’s Cadillac about 3:30 a.m. parked and unoccupied near Pennington Court in Shoreham Beach. About 4:45 a.m., officers saw Barge return to his vehicle.

When questioned by police, Barge said he was in the area to see his girlfriend, who was later located at her home in Riva. Officers searched the area near Barge’s Cadillac and found loose change, a prescription pill bottle, two iPods, two cell phones and a wallet.

Some of the property was traced to an owner in the area who said the items were taken from a vehicle.

Barge has been charged with three counts of theft from autos, but additional charges are as more victims are identified.

All of the theft victims left their vehicles unlocked. Police are reminding resident to always lock their vehicles and to hide all valuables out of view.