COMBINED EFFORT LEADS TO ARRESTS - ADDITIONAL ARRESTS EXPECTED

COMBINED EFFORT LEADS TO ARRESTS IN CECIL CO. BURGLARY INVESTIGATIONS - ADDITIONAL ARRESTS EXPECTED

(NORTH EAST, MD) – An ongoing partnership with Maryland State Police and Cecil County Sheriff’s Office investigators has led to an arrest in connection with more than a dozen burglaries committed in the past three months in the North East area. 

As part of the ongoing investigation into 15 residential and commercial burglaries, most of which occurred in the North East area, state troopers and sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant last evening in the 400-block of Lakeside Drive, North East, Md. Police found stolen property from several burglaries, as well as quantities of suspected heroin, marijuana, oxycodone, and a digital scale. Six people were arrested in the residence, including one who is being charged with at least one of the burglaries. 


The suspect is identified as John A. Barton, 31, of the 400-block Lakeside Drive, North East, Md. He is charged with first degree burglary, second degree burglary, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance not marijuana, and one count of possession of marijuana. An agent from the Maryland Department of Parole and Probation, who was working with investigators, will be filing today to violate Barton’s parole. Barton had recently been released from prison on parole.

Also arrested and charged last night as a result of the search warrant were: Shantell L. Florian, 27, of the unit-block of Keppels Mill Court, Rising Sun, Md., Christina A. Blevins, 36, of the unit-block of Blevins Drive, North East, Md., Richard F. Adams, 34, of the 1500-block of Theodore Rd., Rising Sun, Md., William Renshaw, 43, of the 400-block of Baron Rd., North East, Md., and Christine Benjamin, 40, of the 400-block of Lakeside Dr., North East, Md. All five were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance not marijuana and possession of marijuana.

  The first of the 15 burglaries police believe are connected occurred on November 4, 2013 and the latest occurred January 26, 2014. State Police Criminal Enforcement Division investigators have been coordinating their investigative efforts with Cecil County Sheriff’s Office investigators.

Relentless investigative work has been underway by both departments for months. Police have used a variety of techniques, including interviews and covert surveillance, to identify those responsible for the burglaries. Information has also been provided to investigators by concerned citizens.

Police believe there are several other suspects involved in the burglaries. Additional arrests are expected soon.

State Police and Cecil County Sheriff’s Office investigators received additional assistance from the Maryland State Police Gang Unit, the Maryland State Apprehension Team, and the Maryland Department of Parole and Probation. The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information about those responsible for the burglaries is urged to contact Maryland State Police criminal investigators at the North East Barrack at 410-996-7800. 

 Callers may remain anonymous. 

Maryland State Police