Charlotte Hall Man Held Without Bond Following The Theft Of Electronics At Multiple Stores In St. Mary’s County

CALIFORNIA, Md. — A Charlotte Hall man remains in custody without bond as investigators connect him to a series of reported retail thefts across St. Mary’s County, including incidents involving high-value merchandise and an alleged theft scheme spanning several months, according to court records and law enforcement reports.

Christopher Blair French, 35, of Charlotte Hall, Maryland, has been charged in several separate theft-related cases alleged to have occurred between June and December 2025.

French initially faced a charge of theft of less than $100 following an incident on Nov. 26, 2025. Additional charges stem from a separate incident on Dec. 9, 2025, involving one count of theft scheme of property valued at $1,500 to less than $25,000 and two counts of theft of property valued at $100 to under $1,500. Court records indicate French is currently being held without bond, with a trial date scheduled for Jan. 26, 2026.

Other charges filed against French include one count of trespassing on private property, four counts of theft of property valued between $100 and under $1,500, and one count of theft scheme. The theft scheme charge relates to a pattern of incidents reported in June and July 2025, which investigators allege involved retail establishments.

According to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office (SMCSO), deputies responded to Target in California, Maryland, on Dec. 12, 2025, following a reported theft. Loss prevention staff reported that, on Dec. 10, 2025, an unidentified male wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants, and white shoes entered the store and allegedly took merchandise valued at $1,399.92. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the suspect opening a secured electronics display case, removing items, and later unpackaging the merchandise in the men’s department before placing them into Target-branded bags. Footage also allegedly shows the individual presenting a receipt at a self-checkout kiosk before exiting. Images of a vehicle connected to the incident were shared with investigators, who later linked it to French, according to law enforcement.

Court records also state that law enforcement responded to Walmart in California, Maryland, on Dec. 10, 2025, following a separate theft and trespassing complaint. Surveillance footage reportedly showed a man, identified by store staff as French, placing items into a shopping cart. Store personnel alleged that he fled the store without paying after appearing to notice loss prevention staff monitoring him. Footage described in the report allegedly shows a man wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants, and black shoes inside the store, and white tennis shoes while exiting. Deputies reported that French was identified based on the footage and prior investigations.

In another incident at the same Target location on Dec. 9, 2025, a man wearing identical clothing allegedly entered the store and took $869.95 worth of electronics using a similar method. Investigators noted behavioral and visual similarities between the incidents.

Court records show French is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 26, 2026. Under Maryland law, theft of property valued between $100 and under $1,500 is classified as a misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 18 months incarceration and/or a $500 fine per count.

---