Full Notification

January 18, 2011

On November 9, 2010 there was a burglary at the Cozy Inn, 103 Frederick Rd. in Thurmont. Over $2,000 in cash and coins was stolen. On November 26, 2010 there was another burglary that occurred at the Cozy Inn. This second burglary involved a forced entry and destruction of property but nothing was reported stolen. Then on December 1, 2010 the owner of the Cozy Inn, Mr. Gerald Freeze, began receiving Extortion letters from an unknown suspect demanding $5,000. On January 17, 2011 OFC Testa and Officer Morales of the Thurmont Police Department teamed with detectives of the Frederick Police Department to perform surveillance of the drop location of the Extortion demands. During this operation at approximately 1915 hrs., a suspect was arrested in Baker Park when he attempted to collect payment of his extortion demands. The suspect was identified as: Patrick M. Plunkard, W/M, age 54, of Frederick. Mr. Plunkard was interviewed by the Thurmont officers and admitted to making all of the extortion demands and also admitted to the two separate burglaries at the Cozy Inn. Mr. Plunkard revealed that he worked the Reception Desk at the Cozy Inn during August and September of 2010 and was familiar with the operation. Mr. Plunkard was charged with: 2 cts. of Extortion, 2 cts of Burglary, Theft over $1,000, Attempted Theft, and Destruction of Property. Mr. Plunkard is currently being held at the FCADC on a $60,000 bond.

Media release was prepared by:

Lt. P. Allen Droneburg
Deputy Chief of Police
Thurmont Police Department