August 9th, 2017 by WCBC Radio
On Tuesday evening, 08/08/2017, at 7:42 PM, the Allegany County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported robbery which had just occurred at the Subway restaurant on McMullen Highway in Bel Air. When Deputies arrived they learned that a single suspect entered the business and approached the cashier. The suspect presented a note demanding money from the cash register. The cashier complied with the request, placing an undisclosed sum of cash in a bag that the suspect had with him. The suspect then fled on foot.
The suspect was described as a white male with a thin build. He was wearing a dark colored sweatshirt, blue jeans, a black hat, gloves, and a gray bandana over his face to conceal his features.
A search of the area was conducted by Deputies and Troopers with the Maryland State Police, with the assistance of a K-9. The track led north, back towards the Bel Air Apartments.
Review of surveillance tape and witness interviews helped Deputies and Troopers develop a possible suspect living in the Bel Air Apartments.
The Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) was contacted and Investigators responded to assist with the investigation. A search warrant was obtained for the suspect's apartment. Several items of evidence were recovered during the search. In addition, information was developed that led to the recovery of the clothing worn by the suspect that had been discarded behind another nearby business. The note passed by the suspect was also recovered at that time with the clothing.
During the search of the suspect's apartment, Investigators recovered a cash register that had been reported stolen from Gene's Family Restaurant on McMullen Highway in Bel Air during an incident that occurred there on 08/05/2017. The Maryland State Police responded to the reported theft at 9:20 PM on Saturday evening.
When Troopers arrived they learned that while the owner and employee were occupied in other sections of the restaurant, an unknown suspect had entered the business and removed the cash register and an undisclosed sum of cash. The area was searched, but the suspect was not located at that time.
As a result, 30 year old James Douglas Thompson was arrested and charged with Theft, related to the case at Gene's Family Restaurant, and with Robbery and Theft, related to the case at Subway.
The suspect is currently awaiting an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.
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