On January 30 at 7:08 a.m., units from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to St. John Vianney Catholic Church at 105 Vianney Lane in Prince Frederick for a report of a burglary. First arriving units were advised that an unknown suspect entered the church in an unknown manner and was found by a parishioner sleeping in the front lobby. The suspect awoke and fled on foot prior to police arrival.
Dep. S. Esposito found damage to numerous items in the church. A backpack located where the suspect had been sleeping revealed the identification of the suspect. An arrest warrant was issued for Gregory Earl Linton, 25 of North Beach, for 4th degree burglary and malicious destruction of property having a value less than $500.
On the same day at 5:50 p.m. units responded back to the same address for a second report of a burglary. First arriving units discovered that another parishioner located Mr. Linton sleeping in a pew but he again fled on foot. After a brief search, Linton was located inside Project Echo lying in a bed.
Linton was apprehended on his open arrest warrant and transported to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. Linton was interviewed by Detective Winston of C.I.T. and was subsequently issued additional charges for 2nd degree burglary and theft under $100.
If anyone has any additional information regarding this case, please contact Detective Winston at (410) 535-1600 ext: 2595
