BALTIMORE – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced the conviction of David Bernhardt Sr., for his role in a scheme responsible for the theft of approximately $14,000 across at least five jurisdictions in the state of Maryland.
David Taylor Bernhardt, Sr., 57, of Annapolis, Maryland, engaged in a pattern of retail thefts targeting Lowe’s and Home Depot stores. Bernhardt pleaded guilty to one count of theft scheme $1,500 – $25,000. Prior to the conviction, Bernhardt paid the full amount of restitution to the victim stores. Bernhardt was granted a probation before judgement and placed on five years of supervised probation, with a special condition to stay away from the victim stores.
Bernhardt engaged in a pattern of at least 62 retail crimes. Investigators first became aware of Bernhardt and his activities in March of 2024. Bernhardt targeted stores across the state of Maryland, including retail locations in Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, Frederick County, Garret County, and Allegany County.
Bernhardt typically committed thefts during business hours by using various tactics. On some occasions, Bernhardt would obtain items and add them to his shopping cart before moving to the back of the store, an area frequently off camera, and concealing the items on his person. On other occasions, Bernhardt would select items before making his way to the self-checkout machines. Bernhardt would then scan a substitute barcode that corresponded to a cheaper item than the item he had placed in his cart. The substitute barcode would be placed on top of the original item’s barcode or hidden in Bernhardt’s hand. On other occasions, Bernhardt would scan cheaper items while intentionally not scanning the expensive items in his cart.
Bernhardt repeatedly targeted the same victim retail stores, sometimes stealing from them multiple times on the same day.
“When someone steals from a retail store, it doesn’t just hurt the business—they drive up prices for everyone, reduce access to everyday items, and stretch law enforcement thin,” said Attorney General Brown. “We pursued this case to hold the offender accountable, protect Maryland consumers and businesses, and make clear that this kind of organized theft won’t be tolerated.”
Bernhardt stole personal use home improvement items, including toolboxes, plumbing fittings, decorative plants, saw blades, air conditioners, circuit breakers, LED lights, and more.
The defendant’s case was prosecuted in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County.
In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked the attorneys in his Criminal Division, including Criminal Division Chief Katie Dorian, Organized Crime Unit Chief Paul Halliday, and Investigations and Prosecutions Support Unit Chief Zachary Norfolk, and Assistant Attorney General Surur Yonce who prosecuted the case.
Attorney General Brown also thanked State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County Aisha Braveboy, for her office’s assistance with this investigation.