NORTHERN DISTRICT
AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY THEFT ARRESTS COUNTYWIDE
A marked increase in the theft of automotive batteries over the past few months has led Detectives from Northern and Western Districts to establish a task force aimed at reducing this newest crime trend. During the course of numerous investigations, detectives have identified and are pursuing offenders responsible for operating within Anne Arundel County.
On June 14, 2013, during the course of covert surveillance operations and through investigative means, Northern District Detectives located and apprehended, Terry Lee Speece, Jr., 46, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, who is responsible for multiple battery thefts in Anne Arundel County. Speece utilized a false identity to scrap over 8,100 pounds of batteries at area scrap yards. On June 15, 2013, a second suspect, Ted Swauger, 35, of Severn, Maryland, was identified and apprehended after it was determined that he was also responsible for numerous battery thefts in Northern Anne Arundel County. Swauger was responsible for scrapping over 8,900 pounds of batteries at area scrap yards.
Detectives continue to aggressively investigate battery thefts and urge citizens, especially commercial trucking companies, to take some safety steps to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of this newest crime trend. Some tips are as follows:
■Establish sufficient lighting in areas where trucks and commercial equipment are stored.
■Uniquely and discreetly mark batteries so they may be conclusively identified by investigators should they become stolen.
■Provide officers with images or details of these markings in any theft report.
■Report suspicious vehicles immediately to police and obtain a detailed description.
■Surveillance cameras, appropriately positioned, are an invaluable tool in protecting property and assets.
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Metro Crime Stoppers:
If you have information on the above incidents, please call, email, or text your tip to Metro Crime Stoppers Hotline Available 24-Hours A Day Toll Free at 1-866-7LOCKUP or Text “MCS plus your message” to CRIMES (274637)
Visit the website at http://www.metrocrimestoppers.net
Phone calls are not recorded and callers remain anonymous. You may also be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000!
