BALTIMORE MAN ARRESTED FOR TEXAS THEFT OF HIGH-END HANDBAGS

(BALTIMORE, MD) -- Maryland State Police criminal investigators located and arrested a Baltimore man who is wanted by Texas law enforcement in connection with the burglary and theft of high-end purses valued at $200,000.

The accused is identified as Edward M. Bryant, 40, of the 4100-block of Glenhunt Road, Baltimore, Md. He is being held on a fugitive warrant at the Harford County Detention Center as a result of felony warrants issued in Texas for burglary and theft over $100,000. Texas authorities have begun extradition proceedings against him.

Earlier this week, troopers in the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division were contacted by investigators from the West University Place (TX) Police Department, who requested assistance with the investigation of a December 7, 2013, residential burglary during which eight Herme´s handbags/purses valued at $200,000 were stolen. The investigation by West University Place Police had identified two suspects in Maryland, one of whom was Bryant.

Maryland State Police criminal investigators enlisted the assistance of personnel from the Maryland State Apprehension Team, the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, the US Marshal’s Service and the Baltimore Sheriff’s Office. West University Place Police detectives flew to Maryland to work with State Police on the continuing investigation.

Bryant was arrested at his home without incident on the morning of January 14th. Police recovered four of the stolen handbags at another location in the Baltimore area which is not being identified due to the ongoing investigation. The handbags included three Herme´s Birkins, two valued at $38,000 each and one worth $30,000. The fourth was a Herme´s Kelly valued at $15,000.

A search for the second suspect is continuing. Additional charges are pending. The investigation is continuing.