Police: Three Arrested in 'Smash-and-Grab' of Liquor Store

Three men were arrested for stealing liquor and cash from New Windsor Liquors this weekend, police said, and two of them are now suspects in other burglaries in Carroll County.

Carroll County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 20-year-old Bryan Keith Miller Jr. of Westminster, and two 17-year-old males from Westminster Sunday morning for the overnight burglary of the New Windsor Liquors and the theft of cash and liquor, according to police. 

Just before 4 a.m. Sunday, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to New Windsor Liquors on High Street for reports of breaking glass.  Police said they found the front glass door to the store had been smashed, and cash and several bottles of liquor had been taken.  

Deputies recovered the cash register in an adjacent alley, and with the assistance of a police canine team from the Hampstead Police Department, tracked the suspects to the New Windsor 7-11 where they were taken into custody without incident, police said.

The three were charged late Sunday with second and fourth degree burglary, theft, malicious destruction of property and conspiracy, police said.  Miller was transported to the Carroll County Detention Center where he was released on $15,000 bail following a hearing before the District Court Commissioner.  

Both juveniles were turned over to the custody of their parents pending action by the Department of Juvenile Services.

Police said that two of the three men are suspects in several other burglaries being investigated throughout Carroll County. Detectives said they have recovered information linking the suspects to at least six commercial burglaries during the past three months, including the June 6 burglary of the KFC in Westminster.  

Additional charges by the Westminster and Maryland State Police will be forthcoming.

The Sheriff’s Office investigation continues.  Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Steve Rager of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 410-386-2577, or the Anonymous Tips Hotline at 1-888-399-TIPP (8477).