Frederick and Mount Airy teens charged in University of Maryland dorm burglaries
University of Maryland police charged an 18-year-old Frederick man and a 19-year-old Mount Airy man after investigating a series of residential burglaries around campus.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Tyler Alexander Butler is 18 and from Frederick. Amir Christian Short is 19 and from Mount Airy. UMD Police investigated several residential burglaries beginning Aug. 30. Incidents were reported at South Campus Commons and Denton Hall. Community tips helped police identify the suspects. Each faces five fourth-degree burglary counts. Each faces five conspiracy counts. Each also faces two trespassing counts. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for Oct. 16.
Two young men from Frederick County are facing multiple burglary charges in connection with a series of residential break-ins at the University of Maryland, College Park.
University police identified the suspects as Tyler Alexander Butler, 18, of Frederick, and Amir Christian Short, 19, of Mount Airy.
The University of Maryland Police Department independently confirmed that investigators identified Butler and Short following a series of residential burglaries beginning Aug. 30.
Police first responded to South Campus Commons No. 3 after receiving reports of residential burglaries.
One resident reported leaving an apartment around 11 p.m. Aug. 29 and returning early the next morning to discover water on the floor and property missing.
Additional thefts were reported at Denton Hall on the north side of campus.
UMD Police then issued a safety notice containing photographs of two people investigators believed were involved.
Police said the notice generated numerous community tips as well as additional reports that investigators later connected to the same individuals.
UMD Police similarly said the public response helped investigators quickly identify the two persons of interest.
On Sept. 3, Butler and Short were each charged with five counts of fourth-degree burglary, five counts of conspiracy to commit burglary and two counts of trespassing on posted property, according to the source material.
The defendants’ attorneys did not respond to requests for comment.
Both men are scheduled for preliminary hearings on Oct. 16 in Prince George’s County District Court in Hyattsville.
The charges are allegations, and neither defendant has been convicted in connection with the incidents.
WHAT IT MEANS
The case illustrates how surveillance images and public tips can quickly become central to a campus investigation.
The next step will be the preliminary hearing process, where prosecutors will continue moving the cases through the Maryland court system.
The charges remain allegations unless proven in court.
Original reporting referenced by Everything Frederick:
The Baltimore Sun — Reporting by Matthew Wynn; University of Maryland Police Department →Want more Frederick updates like this?
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