Firehouse Prowler: Police Say Perry Hall Firefighter Charged

BALTIMORE, MD — A Perry Hall man has been charged in connection with several crimes at Baltimore City firehouses. He is a firefighter in Baltimore City who was on medical leave, according to police.

Douglas Ellsworth Cloman II, 34 of Wragby Court in Perry Hall, has been charged with second-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary, fourth-degree theft and theft from $1,500 to $25,000, court records show. A chainsaw from a fire truck was among the items stolen, officials reported.

Police said the charges came after an intruder had committed crimes at two city fire stations, prompting all Baltimore City firehouses to be put on alert Wednesday to ensure stations were secure.

At 3:21 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13, officers from the Southern District were dispatched to the 2600 block of Washington Boulevard, where an intruder wearing a firefighter's uniform came inside the firehouse without being permitted, police said. A member of the fire station confronted him, officials said, and the intruder left.

When firefighters then looked through their belongings, one discovered her wallet was missing, police said.

At 4:22 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13, police said multiple items were taken from the firehouse in the 5800 block of Belair Road.

The fire captain there told officers from the Northeast District that numerous items had been stolen by a suspect matching the description of one of their members, according to police.

The suspect had tried to get inside but discovered the locks had been changed, according to police.

"Cloman told the officer that he came to the firehouse to wash his uniform," police said in a statement. "However, upon further investigation, it was revealed Cloman was on medical leave."

He was taken into custody for questioning, according to authorities.

"Further investigation revealed Cloman had keys to various firehouses all over the city and that he was in possession of a chainsaw that had recently been stolen from a fire truck," according to police. "Cloman also had a wallet that did not belong to him."

Court records show Cloman is being held on $5,000 bail at the Baltimore City jail.

Photo courtesy of Baltimore City Police Department.