On July 6 2015 at approximately 0249 hours an armed robbery
occurred at the 7-11 Convenience store located at 3588 Old Town Road in
Huntingtown. During the robbery a male
suspect entered the store and brandished a black handgun and demanded money.
The male suspect fled to a dark colored SUV or truck and left the scene. The male suspect was described as a thin
white male. He was described to wear a black hooded sweat shirt with the hood
over his head and black and white bandana covering his face. Further he was
wearing black gloves, blue jeans and black shoes. The gun was described as a black handgun.
On July 9, 2015 at approximately 0400 hours, an armed
robbery occurred at the 7-Eleven store, 13974 HG Trueman Road, Solomons
Maryland 20688. An unknown white male subject entered the store wearing a black
hooded jacket, black gloves, blue jeans, and black boots with a white/black
mask covering his face. This suspect was armed with a black semi-automatic
handgun. The suspect encountered the only store employee towards the rear of
the store and demanded money. The store employee complied and the suspect made
way with US Currency. After reviewing the video footage, it was believed that the
same suspect committed both robberies.
Based on the timeframes of the two robberies occurring, it
was very probable there would be a third similar robbery in the near future. At the direction of Sheriff Mike Evans, the Calvert
County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Bureau put together an operation
to conduct surveillance on all of the convenience stores in Calvert County. Personnel from within the Sheriff’s Office as
well as from the Southern Maryland Information Center (SMIC) joined forces to
conduct the operation which began on July 10, 2015 at midnight.
During the early morning hours of July 10th, Detective
Cameron of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and Detective Simonds of the St.
Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office (both assigned to SMIC) were conducting
surveillance on the Lusby and St.
Leonard Fast Stop convenience stores.
While conducting a check of the St. Leonard Fastop,
detectives encountered a suspicious vehicle matching the description of the
vehicle used in the first two robberies.
The detectives set up surveillance in the area and observed the vehicle as
it continued to engage in suspicious activity.
The detectives called for marked Sheriff’s Office units to respond to
the area to assist. The on scene detectives
requested the marked units conduct a traffic stop on the Dodge Dakota 4 door
truck bearing Maryland registration 9AK8162. When units stopped the truck it
was being operated by Bethani Yvonne Wood and Steven E. Garner. During the traffic stop several pieces of
evidence were recovered to link the vehicle and its occupants to the previous
7-11 robberies. Both Wood and Garner
were arrested and transported to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office for
questioning. Wood and Garner were charged accordingly and were transported to
the Calvert County Detention Center to await their hearings before a District
Court Commissioner.
 |
| Bethani Yvonne Wood |
 |
| Steven E. Garner |
