Tide Pods Theft Leads Deputies To Suspected Crack Cocaine

DUNKIRK, Md. — An Upper Marlboro man was arrested after deputies responded to a reported theft in progress at the Safeway in Dunkirk and later found suspected crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia during a vehicle search, according to court documents.

Robert Patrick Kimberlin IV, 52, of Upper Marlboro, was charged in Calvert County District Court with theft under $100, possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to court documents, deputies were dispatched to the Safeway at 10276 Southern Maryland Blvd. on June 15 at approximately 9:50 p.m. for a reported theft in progress. A complainant told dispatchers that a man was stealing merchandise from the store.

When deputies arrived, they found two men near the front of the store in a handicapped parking space, according to charging documents. Kimberlin, who deputies later identified as the suspect, was reportedly running around the parking lot between the store’s front doors and a vehicle while holding a large amount of loose cash. Deputies said he was detained because of what they described as erratic behavior.

The complainant told deputies that Kimberlin had left the self-checkout area with multiple unpaid items, including three containers of Tide Pods. The merchandise was valued at $95, according to charging documents.

Court documents state that the complainant reviewed the self-checkout receipt and confronted Kimberlin at his vehicle after determining that several items had not been paid for. The complainant told deputies that Kimberlin denied the allegation, attempted to load items into the vehicle, became aggressive and repeatedly said he would pay for the merchandise. Deputies said Kimberlin then ran back into the store and threw three containers of Tide Pods inside.

While Kimberlin was seated in a marked patrol vehicle, another deputy reportedly observed drug paraphernalia inside the gray Honda Civic. According to court documents, deputies then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle.

Deputies reported finding three containers in the center console, including two plastic containers containing suspected crack cocaine and a metal container that also allegedly contained suspected crack cocaine. Investigators also reported recovering three glass smoking devices with black burnt residue and two metal measuring spoons with suspected crack cocaine residue from the vehicle.

Kimberlin was transported to the Calvert County Detention Center. He was released on his own recognizance on June 16, with no bond set.

A trial is scheduled for July 31 in Calvert County District Court.

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