During CompStat meetings, held weekly at the St. Mary's County Sheriffs Office, a trend was developed
involving the theft of property from motor vehicles in the California and
Lexington Park areas. Detectives from
the Criminal Investigations Division assumed the investigation into several cases. With the assistance of patrol deputies and the Sheriff’s Office Crime Analyst, detectives subsequently identified a suspect.
During the investigation, detectives confirmed the suspect, identified as Matthew A. Prinsen, age 29, of Lexington Park, had stolen various items from several parked motor vehicles between November 2014 and February 3, 2015. Prinsen, along with an associate, pawned the stolen items at a local
business to support a heroin addiction.
On February 4, 2015, Prinsen was located and placed under arrest by
detectives.
Prinsen was charged with 3 counts of Rogue and Vagabond,
Theft Scheme $1,000 to Under $10,000, 2 counts of Theft $1,000 to Under
$10,000, and 2 counts of Theft less than $1,000. Additional charges are forthcoming pending a review with States Attorney Richard
Fritz. Prinsen was incarcerated in the
St. Mary’s County Detention Center under a $50,000 – 100% bond.
At the time of his arrest, Prinsen was out on bond from theft charges in
Charles and St. Mary's Counties. Prinsen was charged by SMCSO with theft stemming from a 12-29-14 incident where he attempted to steal over $1,000 in merchandise from the California Target Store.
Matthew A. Prinsen
Captain Terry L. Black
Commander
Criminal Investigations Division
301.475.4200 X 1925
