Man charged in connection to stolen vehicle, other thefts in Maryland

EASTON, Md. – Police have released additional details in a stolen vehicle investigation late last month.

During the overnight hours of May 30th, officers were called to Hertrich Chevrolet in Easton for a report of suspicious activity. The caller informed dispatchers that they saw a suspicious person and truck driving around in the parking lot. When officers arrived at the business, they saw a white Chevy Silverado with Virginia registration leaving the parking lot. Officers followed the truck and initiated a traffic stop at U5 Foods in Easton, detaining the driver, later identified as 20-year-old Donya Jenkins-Patterson. It was noted that a passenger side window to the truck was broken, and found ammunition and equipment that appeared to be law enforcement related.

Officers were then notified that a second suspect was seen fleeing into the wooded area behind Hertrich Chevrolet. When officers responded, they found a passenger side window had been broken on a Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office vehicle that was parked in their lot. At this time, it was unclear if the suspect(s) might have obtained a firearm.

Maryland State Police Aviation, an MSP K-9 team, and a Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office K-9 were called in to assist, but after attempts to locate the suspect were unsuccessful, the search was suspended.

At around 6:30 a.m., Easton Police officers were called to the 29000 block of Hawkes Hill Road for a report of a stolen 2024 Chevy Traverse. Due to the close proximity to the dealership, it is believed that the person who stole this vehicle was the same suspect that fled into the wooded area earlier. Police say it is unknown what time the vehicle was stolen. The stolen vehicle was later found in the Hebron area.

Further investigation revealed that the Chevy Silverado was stolen at around 11 p.m. the previous night from Baltimore City. After a search and seizure warrant execution of the vehicle that Jenkins-Patterson was driving, police found items that connected him to vehicle break-ins in Queen Anne’s County.

Jenkins-Patterson was charged with theft $25,000 to under $100,000, rogue and vagabond, malicious destruction of property less than $1,000, fourth degree burglary, and conspiracy.