MAN RECENTLY RELEASED FROM PRISON CHARGED WITH THEFT SCHEME - MULTIPLE BURGLARIES INVESTIGATED

(McHenry, MD) – A man who had been living in Garrett County since being released from prison less than three months ago is back in custody after Maryland State Police investigators uncovered a theft scheme that is believed to involve burglaries in multiple counties and at least one neighboring state.

The accused is identified as Edward A. Morton, 57, who had addresses in the 20000-block of Maryland Highway, Bloomington, Md. and in the 200-block of Southside Lane, Swanton, Md, where he had been living with his brother. He is charged with theft scheme over $10,000 in Garrett County and multiple charges are pending against him in other jurisdictions. He is incarcerated in the Garrett County Detention Center on $2.5 million bond.

In late February 2011, Maryland State Police at the McHenry Barrack received information indicating Morton, who had been released from prison in early January, was receiving checks from pawn shops in Maryland, Washington, D.C., New York and North Carolina that amounted to tens of thousands of dollars. Troopers knew Morton had been in prison for committing multiple burglaries in which jewelry and coins were stolen.

Troopers began an immediate investigation that included calls to multiple pawn shops. In early March, State Police investigators learned a pawn shop in Charlotte, North Carolina had received a package of jewelry from Morton. The pawn shop owner gave troopers a description of the items, including a 1970 Damascus High School ring.

With just the graduation year and the initials inside the ring, a State Police investigator called Damascus High School and then made multiple calls to members of the 1970 graduating class. Within days, he had identified the owner of the ring as a woman who lives in Frederick. He contacted her and she confirmed the ring had been stolen along with other items during a recent burglary at her home.

Troopers contacted investigators from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office with this information and enlisted their assistance in identifying burglaries in Frederick County. Police served search warrants at the residences of Morton and his brother in Garrett County. A large amount of coins and jewelry were found in Morton’s apartment in Bloomington MD.

Morton was arrested by Maryland State Police on the morning of March 25, 2011, in Garrett County. Additional charges against him are pending.

At this time, Morton has not been connected to any burglaries in Garrett County. Police are reviewing cases in Frederick County and West Virginia. They are also continuing to follow up with pawn shops Morton is believed to have sent items to in an ongoing effort to recover stolen property.