Crime & Safety
Glenelg Teen Who Torched Speed Camera Reportedly Felt Equipment Was 'Morally Wrong'
Howard County Circuit Court judge told the 19-year-old: '...there are better ways to express yourself; go to the polls tomorrow.'
A 19-year-old Glenelg man who pleaded guilty to torching portable speed camera equipment may face 30 days in jail, according to a statement from the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Related: HoCo Teen Charged in Speed Camera Fires
Connor Lynn Eash, of the 13000 block of Bold Venture Drive in Glenelg, pleaded guilty to charges from a pair of incidents on May 22 and May 24 involving speed camera equipment.
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Howard County Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McGuinn told the court during Eash’s plea hearing Monday that the May 22 speed camera fire caused more than $15,000 in damage to the device, according to the statement.
The portable speed camera equipment had been set up in the 14000 block of Burntwoods Road in Glenelg, approximately 1.5 miles from Eash’s home.
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Eash pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of property greater than $1,000 in connection with the May 22 incident in which police said the camera had been set on fire.
He also pleaded guilty to attempted malicious burning related to a May 24 incident during which the device was under police surveillance when officers saw Eash approach the camera with an ax, a bottle of gasoline and a lighter, the state’s attorney’s office reported.
Eash fled the scene but was later taken into custody, police said.
The teen told police he was “mad at the camera,” according to the state’s attorney’s office, which reported Eash also said he felt the camera was “morally wrong...”
Howard County Circuit Court Judge Richard S. Bernhardt told Eash during Monday’s plea hearing: “You know, there are better ways to express yourself; go to the polls tomorrow,” according to a statement from the state’s attorney’s office.
McGuinn will seek a five-year prison sentence, suspending all but 30 days, but Eash will be eligible for a lighter sentence if full restitution is made, according to the state’s attorney’s office.
Bernhardt set a sentencing date of Jan. 15, 2015. Eash remains free on bond.
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