Phillip C. Wieser and Matthew W. Baumann
Leonardtown,MD— On Feb.16, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Rozier Steinbach responded to Vulcan Materials Company located on Abells Wharf Road for the report of a burglary to a set of buildings.
A witness (employee) discovered suspects breaking into a warehouse without proper authorization to be there. The witness also discovered the warehouse and a second shop had been broken into earlier. The master padlocks had been cut securing the exterior doors to the warehouse and small shop.
According to charging documents, “A witness observed two pick up trucks fleeing the area, from the back side of the warehouse. The trucks fled down a side access road that connects with Breton Beach Road. The witness was able to observe the Maryland registration plate of the truck.”
On the scene, it was discovered a large black metal gate had been destroyed to gain access to a second section of the warehouse. “The gate appeared to have fresh damage and showed signs of being pulled upwards by a large overhead crane,” according to charging documents.
The truck’s registration came back to Matthew W. Baumann, 20, of Leonardtown as the operator of the vehicle. Deputies responded to Baumann’s home address where his mother advised, Baumann is a close friend with a Phillip C. Wieser, 20, of Leonardtown, who operated a white Ford F-150 with a stripe down the side.
According to charging documents, “Baumann admitted to Deputy Smith that he had been present at the Quarry (Vulcan Materials Company) that evening, He (Baumann) stated he and his friend Wieser had seen an open door from the street and had stopped to investigate. They (Baumann and Wieser) had been surprised by the property owner and had fled the scene.”
Wieser denied, “cutting any locks or otherwise forcing entry to the buildings. Wieser advised he had taken 12 welding rods and a pair of large rubber wheel chocks from the inside of the building,” according to charging documents.
Both Wieser and Baumann were arrested and transported to the St.Mary’s County Detention Center and were charged with burglary second degree, malicious property destruction, and theft less than $100. Both defendants are awaiting an appearance before the District Court Commissioner.
Both Wieser and Baumann face a maximum jail sentence of 33 years and three months and or a maximum fine of $3,000.
Contact Charles Seifert at c.seifert@thebaynet.com