Alleged local burglar arrested for murder
Man facing Calvert charges allegedly stabbed woman found in Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel County Police reported last week that a man currently facing charges for burglary and theft in Calvert County allegedly confessed to murdering a woman whose body was found May 31 in Annapolis.
Christopher Allen Scheibe, whom Calvert court records list as a 28-year-old Mechanicsville resident, was arrested in the early morning Thursday for first- and second-degree murder and firstand second-degree assault related to the alleged murder of Holly Carol Smith, 24, formerly of Essex.
Court records indicate a warrant was issued for Scheibe’s arrest in Calvert County on June 1 for numerous charges, and was served June 2. The charges stem from an incident dated May 25-26; they include one count each of second-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary — theft and second-degree escape, plus two counts each of rogue and vagabond, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and theft greater than $10,000 and less than $100,000.
Scheibe’s Calvert charges stem from a May 25 incident where he allegedly removed two vehicles from Caliber Collision in Sunderland, charging documents state. Scheibe was recently paroled from jail for pled charges of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and the transportation of a handgun in a vehicle, court records show. He was residing in St. Mary’s County with a friend, who worked at Caliber Collision. Scheibe was familiar with the location of the keys in Caliber Collision, as he was in the employment process.
After the last employee left the body shop May 25, Scheibe allegedly attempted to steal a Volkswagen Passat from the parking lot by driving it through the woods behind Caliber Collision and the Sunderland Village Shopping Center. The charging documents allege Scheibe couldn’t get the vehicle over a large embankment in the wooded area and abandoned it. He then reportedly returned to the body shop and removed the keys to a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, owned by Enterprise Car Rental.
Scheibe’s friend told officers he knew something was “off” when Scheibe didn’t return home the night of the incident, charging documents state.
Authorities attempted to locate Scheibe through his ankle monitor, but found the monitor allegedly cut off and abandoned in a stream. The stolen vehicle was seen again May 31 after it was left in drive and came to rest against a tree in the Enterprise parking lot in Annapolis, according to the documents. The interior of the vehicle allegedly contained blood and blonde hair. Smith’s deceased body was reportedly found in close vicinity of the vehicle.
Scheibe’s friend contacted authorities May 31 regarding a journal he found in Scheibe’s bedroom. The journal allegedly detailed how to kill someone and how to remain undetected while running from the government, the documents state.
According to an Anne Arundel police news release, officers responded to a wooded area in the 2000 block of Industrial Drive in Annapolis at approximately 2:20 p.m. May 31, after a passerby walking in the area reported observing a dead body. Along with police, fire department personnel arrived on scene and pronounced the woman dead. Homicide detectives responded, as well as the Evidence Collection Unit, and processed the scene for items of evidentiary value, while detectives canvassed the industrial park and conducted numerous interviews.
On June 2, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner performed an autopsy, which revealed puncture and stab wounds to the woman’s upper body, and homicide detectives were able to positively identify the victim as Smith, the release states.
Scheibe was identified as a possible suspect and was taken into custody in the 3000 block of Warwick Road, East New Market, after which time he was interviewed and confessed to the alleged murder. An arrest warrant was then obtained for Scheibe, who remains incarcerated on the Eastern Shore. A detainer was filed in regard to the murder warrant.
Detectives are working on finding out where Smith most recently resided and are looking for any witnesses who may have seen her within the last week, the release states. Police are calling the investigation “very fluid and active,” and urge anyone with information to call the Anne Arundel County Homicide Unit at 410-2224731. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call the tip line at 410-222-4700 or Metro Crime Stoppers.
Scheibe is currently being held without bond.