COBB ISLAND, Md. — A Bryantown man has been issued multiple summonses after authorities say a Carolina Skiff, outboard engine and commercial waterman equipment were taken from a Cobb Island marina during a property dispute.
Robert Goldsmith, 52, of Bryantown, is charged in three related Charles County District Court cases with two counts of theft of $1,500 to under $25,000 and one count of theft of $100 to under $1,500.
According to charging documents, the allegations stem from the same May 2, 2026, incident at Pirate’s Den Marina on Neale Sound Drive in Cobb Island. The reported stolen property included a Carolina Skiff, a 2025 Mercury SeaPro 115-horsepower outboard engine, a hydraulic crab pot puller and winder, and other equipment used for commercial waterman work.
The boat had been kept at the marina and was being used by relatives for commercial work, according to the applications for charges. Court documents state the boat and attached equipment were allegedly taken without permission and later traced to a property on Oliver’s Shop Road in Bryantown.
One of the complainants told authorities the boat was seen being towed from the area by a sand-colored Ford Ranger. The vehicle was reportedly followed north on Route 301 to the Bryantown property.
Because the Carolina Skiff had been in the water before being brought onto land, the matter was later reviewed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, according to charging documents. A Natural Resources Police officer reviewed vessel records and determined the boat was titled to another person listed in the court filings.
Authorities said Goldsmith later acknowledged to the officer that he took and had control of the boat, which contained the engine and other attached equipment.
The property was listed separately across the related summonses. Court documents valued the outboard engine at about $10,400 and the crab pot puller/winder at about $1,450. Other equipment connected to the boat was also included in the theft allegations.
The applications describe the dispute as family-related and include references to a protective order and prior assault allegations involving Goldsmith and relatives. Those details were included as background in the court filings, while the filed charges are theft-related.
Summonses were issued for Goldsmith on May 17, 2026.
A preliminary inquiry hearing is set for July 6, 2026, in Charles District Court.
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