Phone Snatch Scheme: District Heights Man Charged In Calvert Store Thefts

LUSBY, Md. — A District Heights man is being held without bond in Calvert County in connection with multiple crimes targeting Verizon Wireless stores in Lusby and Dunkirk, according to court records.

Melsun Shamel Perry, 34, of District Heights, is charged with armed robbery, robbery, first- and second-degree assault, organized retail theft, malicious destruction of property over $1,000, fourth-degree burglary involving tools and theft, and felony theft of property valued between $1,500 and $25,000.

The charges stem from incidents on Dec. 29, 2025, at the Verizon Wireless store in Dunkirk and Feb. 3, 2026, at the Verizon Wireless store located at 11737 HG Trueman Road in Lusby.

Charging documents filed in the District Court for Calvert County allege that during the Feb. 3 incident, multiple iPhones were removed from a demo display. Reported stolen items included an iPhone 17 Pro valued at $1,100, an iPhone 17 Pro Max valued at $1,209, an iPhone 17 valued at $829.99, and an iPhone 17 Air valued at $999.99, totaling $4,138.98. Investigators also documented damage to display security mounts.

According to the statement of probable cause, detectives reviewed surveillance footage and identified the suspect as Perry, noting similarities in clothing and method of operation. Authorities allege the suspect wore a black jacket and hoodie, jeans, and a mask while removing demo phones from their mounts.

The Dec. 29 Dunkirk case similarly involved demo cellphones being cut from display mounts. Stolen merchandise included an iPhone 17 Pro Max valued at $834.17 and an iPhone Pro valued at $765.42. Three display security mounts valued at $1,500 and an iPhone Air valued at $999 were also reported destroyed or taken.

The sheriff’s office stated that the investigation expanded beyond theft charges after evidence supported additional counts, including armed robbery, robbery, assault, and organized retail theft.

Detectives utilized surveillance footage and License Plate Reader data during the investigation. Authorities reported observing a black Acura RDX bearing Virginia registration entering Calvert County prior to the Feb. 3 incident. On Feb. 10, 2026, Perry was taken into custody in Prince George’s County after detectives observed him operating the vehicle.

A search incident to arrest allegedly resulted in the recovery of two surgical masks, a black Samsung cellphone, and a Washington, D.C. driver’s license belonging to another individual. Court documents further state that snips consistent with tools used to remove demo displays were visible inside the vehicle.

In addition to the Calvert County charges, authorities reported that Perry had more than 20 outstanding warrants from jurisdictions in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland for similar alleged offenses involving retail businesses.

Perry was transported to the Calvert County Detention Center and remains held without bond following a Feb. 11 bail review hearing before Judge Andrea R. S. Watkins. A trial date is scheduled for March 9 in Calvert District Court.

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