Three Suspects Charged with Theft of Utility Poles Worth $25K

A Germantown man and two teenaged-family members face felony theft and burglary charges for allegedly stealing five PEPCO utility poles valued at $25,000.

Montgomery County Police charged Marvin W. Frazier, 33, of the 13400 block of Whitechurch Circle in Germantown, and a 13- and 15-year old, with burglary and theft for breaking into a Rockville construction site and stealing the poles.

Police were called to the area of Omega Drive and Research Boulevard in Rockville early Saturday after receiving a 911 call about suspicious subjects placing utility poles in a U-Haul truck. The caller was concerned the poles had been stolen.

Officers found a minivan backing up to a U-Haul box truck in the Extended Stay America hotel parking lot at 2621 Research Blvd. As officers attempted to obtain information from the driver of the minivan, they saw three males, wearing gloves and dark clothing, run away from the truck. The three suspects were stopped in the Sleep Inn parking lot at 2 Research Court.

The first suspect was identified as Frazier. The other two suspects were identified as Frazier’s family members and are 13 and 15 years old.

Officers saw the rear of the U-Haul truck was unable to close because of the length of the utility poles inside. Signs for Interstate 270 were attached to the poles. Authorities say the poles were stolen from Paradigm Companies’ construction site located at 9435 Key West Ave.

The driver of the minivan was identified as Frazier’s family member, whom he had called to pick him up, along with the two juveniles. Police say Frazier realized the poles would be visible and it would appear suspicious if he drove the stolen property using the truck. Frazier said he had decided to park the U-Haul in the hotel parking lot and planned to return the next day.

Frazier was charged with second-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary, and felony theft. The two juveniles were charged with second-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary, and felony theft, and were released to the custody of a parent.

The driver of the minivan was determined not to be involved in the burglary and theft and was not charged.

»Marvin W. Frazier, 33, of Germantown was charged with burglary and theft for allegedly stealing PEPCO utility poles worth $25,000. Credit: Montgomery County Police Department