Waldorf Man Caught Pulling Door Handles On Multiple Vehicles Before Arrest

POMFRET, Md. — A 24-year-old Waldorf man is facing theft and rogue-and-vagabond charges after Charles County sheriff’s deputies alleged he was captured on home surveillance video pulling on the door handles of multiple vehicles in a Pomfret neighborhood before officers later located him nearby.

Xavier Zarin Fowler, 24, of Waldorf, was arrested Aug. 17 and charged in the District Court for Charles County with misdemeanor theft of less than $100 and rogue and vagabond.

The investigation began at 2:10 a.m. Aug. 17 when a Charles County sheriff’s officer responded to the Pleasant Hill Court area in Pomfret for a report of a suspicious person pulling on vehicle door handles in the neighborhood, according to a statement of probable cause.

When the officer arrived, he noticed a gray Nissan Altima bearing Maryland registration plates parked in the roadway. Police said the vehicle was running, the driver-side window was slightly rolled down and the windshield wipers were activated at a slow speed.

Inside the vehicle, investigators reported seeing a large rectangular tray containing numerous coins that appeared to be U.S. currency.

As the deputy examined the vehicle, a resident approached and reported seeing someone wearing dark clothing and a hoodie cutting across the neighborhood toward a wooded area.

While the officer was speaking with the resident, police said a man wearing dark clothing and black shoes with white soles came running onto Pleasant Hill Court from the direction of Marshall Corner Road.

The man reportedly told the deputy that the vehicle running in the roadway belonged to him.

Police identified him as Fowler.

According to the probable cause statement, Fowler said he came to the neighborhood to visit people he knew who lived nearby.

Fowler allegedly said he did not know the exact address but pointed to a house with a red truck in the driveway, indicating that it was his aunt’s house.

He told police he had visited the residence at 10:30 p.m. and, after leaving, decided to go for a run through the neighborhood.

When asked why he had left his vehicle running, Fowler allegedly told the officer that if he turned it off, the vehicle would not start again.

The officer then contacted the resident of the home Fowler claimed to have visited.

According to police, the resident said he was not familiar with anyone named Xavier Fowler.

Investigators then spoke with the person who had initially reported the suspicious activity.

That resident told police the home had a Ring camera at the front door and another camera positioned outside.

According to the report, the resident reviewed footage through a smartphone and saw an individual pulling on the door handles of three vehicles in the driveway. The person captured on the video was wearing clothing and shoes that officers said matched Fowler’s appearance.

According to the deputy, the surveillance video showed Fowler pulling on the handles of the vehicles. Officers then checked the surrounding area for other vehicles that may have been entered or tampered with.

At another Pleasant Hill Court residence, a homeowner reportedly showed investigators surveillance video of a person pulling on vehicle door handles. According to the charging document, the homeowner believed there may have been loose change missing from the vehicle but could not provide an exact amount.

At another residence, police found a vehicle unlocked with a pair of gym gloves inside that the owner said were out of place. Police said the owner could not determine whether a specific amount of loose change had been taken.

Investigators also reported finding a large container of loose change inside Fowler’s vehicle.

Officers continued checking nearby vehicles and reported seeing a Ford F-150 with its front passenger door slightly open. Police said another vehicle in the same driveway, a BMW, also had a door open in a similar manner.

Investigators alleged Fowler had unlawfully gained access to motor vehicles with the intent to commit theft.

Police said Fowler had $29.51 in U.S. currency, including dollar bills and change, on his person at the time of his arrest.

According to police, Fowler was identified through records maintained by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and a Charles County Sheriff’s Office database.

Fowler was charged with misdemeanor theft of less than $100 and rogue and vagabond.

Maryland’s rogue-and-vagabond statute prohibits being in or on another person’s vehicle with the intent to steal the vehicle or property inside it. The offense is a misdemeanor.

Court records show Fowler was released Aug. 17 on a $2,500 unsecured personal bond.

He is scheduled for a trial officer scheduling hearing Oct. 7 in Charles County District Court.

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