From IHOP To A School Bus: Waldorf Man Charged In Two Separate Vehicle Theft Cases

LA PLATA, Md. — A Waldorf man is facing felony theft and motor vehicle charges in two separate criminal cases filed one day apart after authorities alleged he had stolen a DoorDash driver’s car in La Plata and, the following day, took a school bus before crashing it during a traffic stop, according to court documents.

Joseph Andrew Townsend, 34, of Waldorf, is charged in the District Court for Charles County in two unrelated cases stemming from incidents July 18 and July 19.

In the first case, Townsend was charged with felony theft of property valued between $1,500 and $25,000, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, and unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle. In the second case, he was charged with felony theft of property valued between $25,000 and $100,000 involving a school bus.

DoorDash Driver’s Car Allegedly Stolen Outside IHOP

According to the statement of probable cause, a La Plata Police officer responded at approximately 8:34 a.m. July 18 to the IHOP restaurant at 11105 Crain Highway for a report of a stolen vehicle.

The victim told police he was working as a DoorDash driver and had parked his vehicle outside the restaurant while picking up an order. Investigators said the driver left the vehicle running while he briefly went inside. When he returned, the vehicle was gone.

Restaurant management provided surveillance footage that allegedly showed a man exiting the restaurant before approaching the victim’s vehicle. According to charging documents, the suspect stood near the driver’s door while smoking a cigarette, looked inside the running vehicle, opened the door, waited several seconds, entered the driver’s seat and drove away.

The suspect was described as wearing a bright orange T-shirt, dark red gym shorts, white socks, gray-and-white athletic shoes and glasses. The stolen vehicle was identified as a 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage bearing Maryland registration.

While the investigating officer was returning to police headquarters, another officer reported seeing a man matching the suspect’s description walking southbound on Washington Avenue toward Rosewick Road. The investigating officer responded and identified the individual as Townsend through his Maryland learner’s permit.

According to court records, investigators determined Townsend matched the physical description of the suspect shown in the surveillance footage. He was placed under arrest after investigators advised him of his Miranda rights.

Deputies later located the Mitsubishi abandoned outside the Dash In convenience store in Waldorf. Investigators reported the keys remained in the ignition, and surveillance footage allegedly captured the same suspect leaving the vehicle and walking away.

Court records show Townsend was released the same day after posting a $5,000 unsecured bond. He is scheduled for trial Sept. 1, 2026, in Charles County District Court.

School Bus Allegedly Taken the Next Morning

According to a separate statement of probable cause, a Charles County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a yellow school bus disregarding a solid red traffic signal July 19 while traveling southbound on Leonardtown Road near St. Patrick’s Drive.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but the bus struck a curb before coming to a stop on the shoulder. Townsend was identified as the driver.

When asked why he was driving the school bus, Townsend reportedly stated he entered a nearby bus lot because he “just wanted some air conditioning.” He allegedly admitted the keys were already in the ignition when he entered the bus before later deciding to drive it.

The owner told deputies no one had permission to operate the bus and reported it had been stolen. Photographs taken at the scene reportedly showed damage to the passenger-side door frame after the bus struck the curb, with repair costs estimated at approximately $500.

Townsend was arrested and transported to the Charles County Detention Center. Court records show he was initially held without bond. During a July 20, 2026, bail review, Judge Patrick J. Devine ordered that Townsend continue to be held without bond.

Townsend is scheduled for a trial-officer scheduling hearing Sept. 4, 2026, in Charles County District Court.

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