February 2nd, 2012 by WCBC Radio

Three individuals have recently been charged in connection with a string of thefts and destructions of property which occurred during the evening hours on 12/15/2011 at several different locations in Frostburg. Charges are pending against a fourth suspect.

On 12/15/2011 the Frostburg Police first began receiving calls from citizens shortly after 9:00 PM. The victims were reporting that they had discovered outdoor Christmas decorations stolen from their residences. Later that night, and into the next day, they began to receive calls from victims who were discovering that someone had thrown large rocks, which were recovered by law enforcement, through the windows of their vehicles, and in one instance, through the window of a residence. There were three victims of the theft of Christmas decorations, with the total value of the thefts being less than $100.00. There were a total of sixteen different victims of the destructions of property, with the total loss in the destructions of property being valued at over $13,500.00.

A joint investigation by the Frostburg Police, the Frostburg State University Police, and Investigators with the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) was initiated.

Witnesses provided a description of the vehicle and the clothing being worn by the suspects. Based on the witness descriptions, law enforcement was able to identify a suspect vehicle, described as possibly being a dark colored Ford pick-up truck. The vehicle was located by members of the FSU Police in a student parking lot. When they approached the vehicle, Officers discovered Christmas decorations in the bed of the truck, as well as several large rocks similar to the ones thrown through the victim’s vehicle windows, and subsequently recovered by law enforcement.

The owner of the vehicle was questioned and advised that he had lent his truck to a friend to use that night. He identified the friend to Investigators who then interviewed that subject and several other witnesses.

Through those interviews, Investigators learned that four suspects had gone out that night to several neighborhoods in Frostburg. While out, they stole Christmas decorations from different locations. They then returned to the FSU campus. Later, two of the suspects went out by themselves, which is when the rocks were thrown through the windows of parked vehicles and the one residence.

With the assistance of FSU Police and the FSU Administration, Investigators were able to recover video surveillance of the individuals involved, and were able to document and verify the times they left campus and returned, as well as the clothing being worn by the suspects, which matched that described by witnesses.

As a result, Investigators were able to charge 19 year old Robert Evans Patterson II, of Elkton, MD, 19 year old Brandon Shea Nils MacMurphy, of Riva, MD, and 18 year old Nicholas Edward Dorsey, of Temecula, CA. Patterson and MacMurphy have both been charged with three (3) counts of Theft and sixteen (16) counts of Malicious Destruction of Property for their involvement. Dorsey has been charged with three (3) counts of Theft and one (1) count of Malicious Destruction of Property, for damaging decorations they attempted to steal. The fourth suspect is pending the same charges as Dorsey for his part in the incident.

A representative of the Frostburg State University administration confirmed that the three individuals were students of the University in the fall semester. None is currently enrolled.

All three defendants are free on their own recognizance pending their next court appearance.

The following statement was released by Frostburg State University:

“Frostburg State University appreciates the close communication regarding this matter with Frostburg City Police and C3I. FSU will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation and to work collaboratively, including through the continued representation of University Police in C3I, to enhance the safety of our community.”