16 Sep Maryland diesel theft leads to weapons charge?

On behalf of Jack B. Rubin, PA posted in Weapons Crimes on Monday, September 16, 2013.

In some cases, an investigation into one crime can lead to the discovery of another crime. This discovery is often the result of a search warrant executed at a Maryland residence, where police discover that the alleged perpetrators are up to more then what their initial investigation revealed. In a recent case, police have issued a weapons charge after they initially took two men into custody for stealing diesel fuel.

Police stated that they observed a diesel theft just before 5 a.m. at a cellular tower site. About three hours later, police claim to have witnessed another theft. After the second theft was carried out, police initiated a stop of the vehicle and took a 34-year-old man and a 49-year-old man into custody.

Police subsequently searched a residence where one of the men was believed to have resided and discovered a large collection of firearms. Due to the man allegedly having a previous felony on his record, police confiscated the weapons. It is unclear when the men will appear in court to answer to the wide range of charges police have issued against them.

What may appear to be an open and shut case at the moment may be anything but that as further details of the case are revealed. By taking a look at all the evidence Maryland prosecutors have to support the weapons charge, there may be questions as to just how reliable that evidence is. This could lead to a considerable amount of doubt as to the validity of the charges and may result in a finding of not-guilty if the matter proceeds to trial.

Source: NBC Washington, Diesel Bandits Nabbed, Weapons Cache Recovered in Maryland, Pat Collins and Matthew Stabley, Sept. 6, 2013