On March 5, a victim reported to police that his vehicle had been entered sometime during the night, while located at his residence in California, and property was stolen valued at approximately $1600.
A suspect called the victim in the morning, after obtaining his phone number from items located inside the vehicle. The suspect told the victim that his property would be returned to him for $50 in cash. An additional conversation took place between the victim and a different suspect at which time the demand for money increased to $175.
St. Mary’s County BCI detectives conducted surveillance on the area in Lexington Park where the suspects told the victim to meet and pay for the return of his property.
An undercover BCI detective posed as the victim and was approached by James Price, 46 of Lexington Park, carrying the victim’s laptop computer and camera. Price was arrested by detectives.
BCI Detectives learned the identity of a second suspect, Dwayne Antonio Butler, 20 of Lexington Park. Detectives located Butler at Price’s residence in Lexington Park. Additional property belonging to the victim was also recovered at the residence.
Price and Butler were both charged with Theft Over $500 and Extortion. They were incarcerated at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center.