Catalytic Convertor Arrests

PRESS RELEASE

Incident Type: Catalytic Convertor Thieves Arrested Location: Route 8 Park & Ride, Stevensville, MD Date/Time of Occurrence: 05/12/2008 @ Victim Information: See Narrative Accused Information: David Wade Leager (32) of Centreville, MD. Joseph A. Messaris (30) of Denton, MD. Charges: See Narrative

Narrative:

On today's date (5/12) several deputies of the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office placed a decoy car at the Rt. 8 Park & Ride and then set up surveillance in the area. About 90 minutes had passed when a Chevrolet pickup with two occupants drove into the lot and parked next to the car. Deputies observed the passenger, later identified as Joseph A. Messaris of Denton, exit the truck and crawl under the decoy vehicle. The driver appeared to be acting as a lookout, continually looking in every direction.

Deputies then exited their vehicle and confronted the subjects. Messaris was removed from under the Lexus with a battery powered saber saw in his possession. The driver of the truck was identified as David Wade Leager of Centreville, MD.

A search of the vehicle resulted in additional evidence being seized including additional saw blades, battery charger and suspected heroin / CDS paraphernalia.

The subjects were placed under arrest and transported to the Sheriff's Office for further questioning. As a result the two are facing charges with:

Case 08 7966 : Converters stolen from three vehicles at Rt. 8 Park & Ride on 04/01/2008 Case 08 8131 : Converter removed from Toyota Sequoia at Chester Park & Ride on 4/3/2008 Case 08 8726: Convertor stolen from one vehicle at Rt. 8 Park & Ride on 4/10/2008 Case 08 9791: Convertor stolen from a Lexus at Chesapeake College on 4/21/2008 Case 08 10215: Convertor stolen from a Toyota Sequoia at Chesapeake College on 4/25/2008 Case 08 10466: Convertor stolen from a Toyota SUV at Queenstown Outlets on 4/28/2008 Case 08 11101: Convertor stolen at Chesapeake College from a Lexus on 5/5/2008 Case 08 11131: Converter stolen from a Toyota Tacoma at the Rt. 8 Park & Ride on 5/5/2008 Case 08 11362: Convertor stolen from a Toyota Tundra at Bayside Elementary School on 5/08/2008 Case 08 11442: Convertor stolen from a Toyota Sequoia at Kent Island Shopping Center on 5/9/2008

MSP Case: Convertor stolen at from vehicle at Rt. 8 Park & Ride on 4/9/2008 MSP Case: Convertor stolen from vehicle at Queenstown Outlets on 4/25/2008 MSP Case: Convertor stolen from vehicle at Chesapeake College on 5/7/2008

Sheriff Hofmann stated "Over the past two weeks, numerous deputies in plainclothes and undercover cars patrolled parking areas attempting to catch them. By using a "bait" car two subjects were in custody in less then 90 minutes. Sgt. Kempel, Sgt. Jones and Dfc. Schwink did a great job!"

At this time neither individual has had their initial appearance. Both subjects were transported to medical facilities for medical problems.

Investigated By: Sgt. Matt Kempel

Assisted By: Sgt. Sonny Jones / Dfc. Chris Schwink

Case # 08-11500