January 28th, 2014 by WCBC Radio
As a result of continued investigation into two recent home invasion robberies in Lonaconing, Investigators with the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) have charged 25 year old Gary Dale Hamilton III with numerous counts related to the crimes.
On Saturday night, 01/25/2014, at approximately 7:50 PM, the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported home invasion robbery at a private residence on Watercliffe Street in Lonaconing. When Deputies arrived they interviewed the elderly female victim and learned that a single suspect had entered the victim’s residence, displayed a knife, and demanded money. The suspect searched through the victim’s purse without finding any valuables, and then fled the residence on foot.
The victim further told Deputies that she had been gone earlier in the day and when she returned home, she discovered that someone had been in her residence. At that time the only thing the victim realized had been taken was a small amount of currency in the form of loose change.
A search of the area was conducted at that time by the Sheriff’s Office with assistance from a Maryland State Police K-9 handler and dog. The suspect was not located at that time.
The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 5-05 in height, and wearing a dark colored ski mask to conceal his identity.
Then, on Sunday evening, 01/26/2014, at approximately 6:25 PM, the Sheriff’s Office responded to another private residence on Watercliffe Street for another reported home invasion robbery. The elderly female victim advised that a single suspect had entered her residence, displayed a knife, and demanded money. The victim gave the suspect an undisclosed sum of cash, and the suspect then fled the residence on foot.
The suspect was described by the victim as a white male, approximately 5-06 in height, thin mustache, and wearing a dark colored ski mask to conceal their identity.
Neighbors of the victim advised Deputies that they had seen a subject matching that description in the area earlier. Witnesses further described the suspect as a white male, approximately 5-05 in height, wearing a tan colored Carhartt type jacket, and carrying a black colored backpack.
Once again a search of the area was conducted by Deputies, with assistance from a Maryland State Police K-9 handler and dog, MSP helicopter Trooper 5, and Officers with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police.
A subject matching the description of the suspect was spotted. When officers approached him, the suspect ran. During the ensuing foot chase, the suspect discarded his backpack, which was recovered by law enforcement. The search continued, and the suspect was eventually taken into custody by Deputies and Troopers on the scene.
C3I Investigators were requested to assist in the investigation and responded to assist in the investigation. A search of the suspect’s backpack led to the discovery of several pieces of jewelry and a small quantity of illegal CDS. A box cutter was also recovered.
Hamilton was arrested at that time and initially charged with CDS violations for the possession of the illegal CDS. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance, and was incarcerated in the Allegany County Detention Center on $2500.00 bond.
C3I Investigators continued the investigation. The victims were shown the items of jewelry that were recovered. The first victim was unaware that the jewelry had been removed from her residence, but positively identified the jewelry as hers. Other items of evidence, including the clothing matching that worn by the suspect, was also recovered as part of the investigation.
Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Hamilton charging him in connection with both robberies and the earlier burglary. Hamilton was charged with 2 counts each of Armed Robbery, Robbery, Assault, Theft, 1st Degree Burglary, 3rd Degree Burglary, 4th Degree Burglary, and related charges. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance, and an additional bond of $20,000.00 was placed against him. He is currently being held at the Allegany County Detention Center pending his next court appearance.
The investigation is continuing by the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and C3I
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