LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A Lexington Park man has been charged with burglary after police said he attempted to break into a residence and told deputies he was hearing voices instructing him to enter. Michael Robert Van-Auker, 36, of Lexington Park, was arrested Sept. 2 and has been ordered to undergo a mental health competency evaluation, according to court records.
The incident occurred on Sept. 2 at a residence on Heron Lane in Lexington Park when police responded to a burglary report, charging documents state. Deputy Melton located Van-Auker nearby after a witness identified him as the person responsible, according to police reports.
A probable cause statement says a witness told deputies Van-Auker was lying on the ground at the intersection and was the individual who tried to break into the home. When contacted, Van-Auker reportedly told the deputy he was hearing voices instructing him to enter the residence. Police wrote that he was taken into custody, advised of his rights, and declined further comment.
The victim told investigators she was in a back bedroom when she heard the doorbell ringing and sounds of someone attempting to enter through the front door, according to court documents. When she went to investigate, she observed that her front storm door had been opened and Van-Auker was in a crouched position tampering with the door lock area, charging documents show. The victim reported hearing rattling noises as Van-Auker attempted to turn the doorknob to gain entry, police reports indicate.
According to the probable cause statement, the victim observed Van-Auker with something resembling a knife in his hand that he was using to pry at the doorknob lock area and door frame. A witness who was also in the residence confronted Van-Auker after the victim alerted him to what was occurring, court documents state. When the witness told Van-Auker that voices in his head instructed him to break in, the witness yelled at him to stay until police arrived, but Van-Auker walked away toward Point Lookout Road, according to charging documents.
Officers found Van-Auker in possession of a key ring containing a metal bottle opener shaped like a shark with a pointed edge resembling a knife, police reports indicate. The tip showed signs of recent use with shiny metal, indicating it had been rubbed against something that wore away the original finish, according to the probable cause statement. The pointed edge also showed evidence of being pushed against something hard such as a door frame, investigators noted.
Police documented damage to the residence including destroyed weather stripping around the front door and damage to the wooden door frame, charging documents state. The victim estimated the value of the damage to the weather stripping and door frame at approximately $80, according to court records. Officers found pieces of weather stripping and wood from the door frame lying on the ground below the damaged area, police reports indicate.
Judge James Tanavage presided over Van-Auker’s bail review hearing on Sept. 3, where he was ordered held without bond, court documents show. A mental health examination was ordered to determine competency to stand trial, with a hearing scheduled for Sept. 16.
Van-Auker is charged with third-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary of a dwelling, and malicious destruction of property valued under $1,000, according to court records. Under Maryland law, third-degree burglary carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Fourth-degree burglary is punishable by up to three years in prison, and malicious destruction of property carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
All proceedings are scheduled to take place in St. Mary’s County District Court in Leonardtown. The State’s Attorney’s Office for St. Mary’s County is prosecuting the case.
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