GUNS RECOVERED IN CARROLL COUNTY THEFT

(Westminster, MD) – State troopers have arrested one man, are searching for a second, and have recovered all the firearms stolen in a weekend theft that occurred during a teenager’s party at her home while her parents were away.

The two charged are identified as Matthew D. Olson, 23, of no fixed address, and Victor M. Eshelman, Jr., 20, of the 800-block of Muller Road, Westminster, Md. After consultation with the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office, both were charged with theft: $1,000.00 under $10,000.00.

Eshelman was arrested yesterday morning at his home. He was taken to the Carroll County Detention Center. A warrant has been issued for Olson and police continue to search for him.

The investigation began on the evening of October 11, 2009, when Maryland State Police were called to a home in the 100-block of Sullivan Road, Westminster. The investigation by Maryland State Police patrol troopers and criminal investigators determined that sometime during the night of October 10th and the early morning of October 11th, someone removed eight rifles and two black powder pistols from the home. Also stolen were video games, a gaming console, money, jewelry and knives.

The investigation revealed that during the evening of October 10th, dozens of individuals had attended a party at the home, hosted by a teenager while her parents were away. State Police investigators developed evidence indicating that Olson attended the party and removed the firearms and other items from the house. The firearms were then distributed to Eshelman and another Finksburg subject who are acquaintances of Olson.

Early on the morning of October 14th, Maryland State Police served search warrants at the homes of Eshelman and Olson, with the assistance of the Carroll County Drug Task Force, the State Police Special Tactical Assault Team Element, and the Baltimore Gun Tracing Task Force. Police recovered a stolen black powder pistol at Eshelman’s home.

Further investigation led police to a wooded area in the 1300-block of Woodland Drive, Westminster. There troopers unearthed four of the rifles and a black powder pistol that had been stolen and buried in the ground. They were .50 and .22 caliber rifles.

Information was also developed indicating other weapons had been taken to a home in Finksburg. Police went to the home yesterday and recovered a stolen AK47 assault rifle, an SKS assault rifle a 7.62 caliber rifle and a .444 caliber rifle.

All of the stolen firearms have been recovered by police. Troopers continue to search for the other items stolen from the home.

Additional arrests and charges are possible. The investigation is continuing.