Walmart Theft Report Leads Deputies To Suspected Crack Cocaine Pipe

CALIFORNIA, Md. — A man was charged after deputies investigating a reported theft from the California Walmart later found suspected crack cocaine paraphernalia during an arrest, according to charging documents.

Anthony Martise Barnes, 45, was charged with theft of $100 to under $1,500, possession of a controlled dangerous substance that was not cannabis and possession of CDS paraphernalia following the May 26, 2026, incident.

A St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded around 12:37 p.m. to Walmart at 45485 Miramar Way in California for a reported shoplifting.

A store asset protection employee told deputies that two unidentified men entered the store shortly after 6:12 a.m., selected several items and placed them into shopping carts.

Charging documents state the men passed all points of sale and went through the entrance-only gate without paying for several items, including a pink Razor E90 scooter valued at $124, a Segway electric scooter valued at $198 and a Shark vacuum cleaner valued at $274.

Other items were left in the carts after passing all points of sale, including another vacuum cleaner and a red 28-quart cooler, according to charging documents.

The total loss was listed at $946.24, including an attempted theft amount of $314.48.

A store employee attempted to stand in front of the men as they left the store, but they moved around the employee and entered a silver vehicle with a busted rear windshield covered by tape and a bag, according to charging documents.

Later that afternoon, a St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant stopped a vehicle matching that description on Point Lookout Road in Leonardtown. Barnes was identified as a passenger and was wearing blue pants and a red Champion-branded shirt, according to charging documents.

Deputies said the vehicle owner reported that another person had operated the vehicle earlier that morning while Barnes was the passenger.

Charging documents state Barnes was positively identified through a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration check. Deputies also observed a red jacket inside the vehicle that matched clothing described in the theft report.

After Barnes was placed under arrest, a search allegedly found a glass cylindrical smoking device in his left pocket and a long, thin rod in his right pocket. Deputies stated the rod and smoking device were consistent with items used to ingest crack cocaine.

The smoking device had black burnt residue and suspected cocaine on it, according to charging documents.

Barnes was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Court records show Barnes posted a $5,000 unsecured personal bond on May 26.

A trial is set for July 21 in St. Mary’s County District Court.

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