Waldorf man, juvenile arrested for string of biz burglaries
Duo allegedly used rocks, bricks to break glass
A Waldorf man and a 17-yearold juvenile were arrested last week and charged on 40 counts for allegedly committing a string of 10 commercial burglaries.
Taqon Wade Nelson, 18, a recent high school graduate, was arrested July 24 and charged with multiple counts of second-degree burglary, malicious destruction of property, theft, attempted theft and trespass. He was released on his own recognizance the following day, according to online Maryland case records.
According to the charging documents, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office had been investigating a series of commercial burglaries within two miles of each other and around the Millbrook neighborhood in Waldorf.
On July 18, police were able to review security camera footage following a break-in and robbery at Eastern Carryout in the Berry Patch Shopping Center, observing two males, one of whom broke into the store with a rock, the other maintaining a lookout, Det. H. Burgess said in the charging documents.
Over the next few days, break-ins also occurred at the Crown and Glory Dental office, Dominican Salon and Davis Nails in the Berry Patch Shopping Center, the WOW Cafe and Wingery and Pho D’Lite restaurant in Waldorf Marketplace and the Payless Shoe Store on Crain Highway.
In all cases when video footage was available, two males were observed breaking the glass of the business with bricks or rocks before entering, according to Burgess’s report.
Around 1 a.m. July 24, Fosters Grille in Waldorf Marketplace, and Massage Envy and Subway restaurant in the Shops at Waldorf Center reported burglaries. Based on the video footage, the clothing and appearance of the suspects matched that of two young males on the porch of a nearby residence. The two were arrested, and police said Nelson confessed to committing all 10 burglaries.
The second suspect was charged as a juvenile and released into the custody of his father.
A preliminary hearing for Nelson is scheduled for Aug. 23 in Charles County District Court.