LEONARDTOWN, Md. – New developments have emerged in the violent home invasion reported by BayNet Crime Desk on December 3, 2024, involving a heavily armed suspect wearing body armor. A St. Mary’s County grand jury has now indicted the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Robert Eric Hyatt Jr. of Fort Washington, MD, on a series of felony charges, including attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, home invasion, and multiple burglary and assault counts.
As previously reported, the incident occurred on November 29, 2024, at a residence on Military Lane in Great Mills. The victim called 911 after noticing that someone had covered the peephole of the front door. During the call, the intruder forced his way inside and allegedly demanded money through digital payment apps such as Apple Pay or Cash App. According to investigators, the victim managed to escape onto a balcony while alerting authorities that the suspect remained inside and armed.
When deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office entered the home, they encountered Hyatt, who was found wearing body armor beneath a trench coat. He was reportedly armed with a 9mm Smith & Wesson MP9 Shield Plus handgun, a large knife, and brass knuckles. Hyatt surrendered without incident but invoked his Miranda rights and refused to cooperate with investigators.
Evidence gathered from the scene, including Ring doorbell footage and a spent 9mm shell casing, supported the allegations of firearm use and forced entry. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder and a significant head laceration during the ordeal, later requiring airlift transport to a regional trauma center.
In the recent indictment, prosecutors allege that Hyatt acted with deliberate premeditation and malice aforethought, attempting first-degree murder—a felony that can carry a life sentence upon conviction. Additional charges include attempted second-degree murder (up to 30 years), first-degree assault (up to 25 years), second-degree assault (up to 10 years and a $2,500 fine), firearm use in a violent crime (up to 20 years), home invasion (up to 25 years), third-degree burglary (up to 10 years), fourth-degree burglary (up to 3 years), wearing bulletproof armor during a crime of violence (up to 5 years and a $5,000 fine), and concealing a dangerous weapon (up to 3 years and a $1,000 fine).
Court records indicate that Hyatt’s case will proceed through the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court, with pretrial hearings and a jury trial scheduled for the spring of 2025. Hyatt remains in custody at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to determine Hyatt’s motive and any additional factors that may have led to the attack. The BayNet Crime Desk will continue to monitor this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
I am so sick and tired of seeing the P.G. county thugs or cowards because I am sure that they can’t stand the streets of PG so they think that they can come here and steam wheel their way through St Mary’s Co streets. Get em up outta here in GODSPEED