Queen Anne’s Co. man charged in Talbot Co. theft investigation

NEWCOMB, Md. – The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office says a Queen Anne’s County man has been charged in connection to a recent theft investigation.

On May 21st, deputies were called to the Oak Creek Landing for reports of thefts from multiple boats moored at the landing. It was discovered that unknown suspects boarded several boats and stole crabbing and fishing equipment.

The following day, deputies were called to the 26000 block of Arcadia Shores in Easton for a reported theft. In this incident, it was learned that unknown suspects had allegedly boarded the victim’s skiff that was moored next to a dock not far from Oak Creek Landing. A boat motor, generator, chainsaw, and other items were stolen from the skiff, valued at over $6,000.

Just before 6 a.m. on May 31st, officers with the Maryland Natural Resources Police were called regarding individuals crabbing on the Wye East River, who were reportedly in violation of crabbing regulations. Two individuals were found crabbing from a small john boat, one of whom was identified as 19-year-old James Lawson. It was determined that the occupants had violated several crabbing regulations, and officers seized a length of trotline with clam bags tied to the line.

NRP officers were familiar with the previously reported thefts and suspected that the trotline and other items on Lawson’s boat were stolen from the vessels at Oak Creek Landing. On May 31st, one of the theft victims identified the seized trotline as one stolen from their vessel.

Deputies subsequently obtained a search and seizure warrant for Lawson’s Queen Anne’s County residences, ultimately locating many of the stolen items, including the stolen boat motor, generator, chainsaw, and crabbing and fishing equipment.

Lawson was served with a criminal summons on June 3rd, charging him with multiple counts of misdemeanor and felony theft, as well as felony theft scheme. He was released on his signature pending a future hearing.