Man Charged After Cologne Theft At Waldorf Store, Glass Pipe Found During Arrest

WALDORF, Md. — A La Plata man was arrested after a bottle of cologne was stolen from a Waldorf store and a glass pipe was found during a search, according to charging documents.

Otto Franklin Mason III, 26, of La Plata, is charged in Charles County District Court with theft less than $100 and possession of CDS paraphernalia.

According to charging documents, an officer responded around 8:45 p.m. on May 16, 2026, to the K&G Fashion Warehouse on Smallwood Drive West in Waldorf for a reported theft.

A store manager told authorities that about 10 minutes before officers arrived, she saw a man wearing a black hoodie and a red backpack bending over near a freshly stocked cologne aisle near the register area.

The manager recognized the person from a previous theft attempt, according to the application for charges. After he left the store, she checked the cologne aisle and found an empty security container.

Charging documents state the man then ran toward Smallwood Drive West, and employees contacted law enforcement.

Officers searched the area and located the suspect, later identified as Mason. While detained, Mason admitted to stealing the cologne bottle and throwing it away before officers made contact with him, according to court documents.

After Mason was advised of his rights, charging documents state he refused to answer further questions about the incident.

During a search incident to arrest, officers found a burnt glass pipe containing a copper filter, according to the report. The officer wrote that, based on training and experience, small glass pipes are commonly used to smoke or ingest controlled dangerous substances.

Mason told the officer the glass pipe belonged to him, according to charging documents.

Mason was transported to the Charles County Detention Center for processing. Court records show he was later released on recognizance.

A trial is set for June 30, 2026, in Charles District Court.

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