Charles County Sheriff’s Office detectives have arrested Donald Edward Browne, Jr., 22 of Baltimore, for a 2009 home-invasion robbery. DNA evidence led to identification of the suspect, who is being held at the Charles County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond.
On Aug. 18, 2009, at 8:20 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 13800 block of Waverly Point Road in Newburg for the reported armed robbery. The investigation revealed a husband and wife, both of whom are 55-years-old, were outside when two masked suspects armed with handguns and wearing gloves ran from woods by the residence accosted the victims. The suspects forced the victims inside the residence at gunpoint and demanded money and other valuables. One suspect forced the female victim to the floor, tied her hands behind her back and removed her jewelry. The other suspect forced the male victim to another area of the house, stole cash from the victim’s pants pocket and demanded access to a safe. The victims’ adult son returned home and inadvertently interrupted the robbery. As the suspects fled the house, they pointed a gun at the third victim and forbade him to move. The suspects jumped a fence in the backyard and fled the area.
Detectives found evidence containing DNA and sent it to the Maryland State Police Crime Lab for testing. MSP forwarded the evidence to BODE Technology Group, a private DNA lab, which developed a DNA profile. MSP entered the DNA profile into a state database and discovered a match between the recovered sample and Browne’s DNA. On July 22, detectives obtained a warrant for Browne and arrested him at the Baltimore County Jail, where he had been held on unrelated charges. Browne is charged with two counts each of armed robbery, first-degree assault, robbery and first-degree burglary and with reckless endangerment.
The victims are business owners and Browne worked for a paving company hired to provide services for the victims’ business. During the investigation, detectives determined the victims had been specifically targeted by the two suspects as a consequence of their professional association.
The second suspect’s identity remains unknown. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (301) 932-2222 or Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. For information about submitting a tip via e-mail or text messaging, visit www.ccso.us. All tipsters remain anonymous. Detectives S. Fetterolf and C. Shankster are investigating.
