Father and son face charges in two burglaries

Pair accused of taking $29,000

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Charles Lewis "Skippy" Guy Jr., 45, was jailed without bond and Charles Barry Guy, 19, of Mechanicsville was released on personal recognizance to await court proceedings on charges from a May 17 break-in at Southern Maryland Pool and Spa in Hollywood and a May 22 burglary at Benedict Clark's home on nearby Sandy Bottom Road.

As the younger suspect served as a lookout, charging papers allege, his father broke a window at the pool business, forced his way through a door and damaged a safe during an unsuccessful attempt to open it. A metal box of personal papers was stolen from the business, and damages were estimated at more than $1,000. Charles "Skippy" Guy knew Clark had money at his residence, court papers state, and Guy waited for him to leave before the two suspects allegedly forced open a rear door and stole the money as they destroyed a safe and filing cabinet. Charles Barry Guy also is charged with breaking into Joseph Stinnett's home on March 31 on East Theresa Court in Mechanicsville, where $1,300 was stolen, according to court papers filed by detective David Alexander.

Husband charged with theft from wife

Lester James Kraft, 47, of Leonardtown was jailed Friday in lieu of 10 percent of $125,000 bond on charging papers alleging he broke into his estranged wife's home and stole $310 while she was trying to obtain a court order to keep him away.

Elizabeth Kraft was at the district court commissioner's office on June 24 when the suspect called her and said "he found where she had her money hidden" in the house on Beachcomber Lane, St. Mary's sheriff's deputy Michael Worrey wrote in a charges application. The couple has been separated for about four years.

SUV taken from lot

Paul Anthony Pitner, 24, of Hollywood was jailed Saturday in lieu of $35,000 bond on charging papers alleging he stole a 2005 Dodge Durango from Tom Hodges' automobile business in Hollywood during a burglary last week. A surveillance video showed the vehicle theft taking place, and a witness reported later receiving a text message from the suspect that he had a new vehicle, according to charging papers filed by Trooper Michael Moore of the Maryland State Police.

Sheriff's deputies saw and spoke with the suspect and witness in the vehicle before it was reported stolen, court papers state, while it was parked outside the witness' Mechanicsville home.

jwharton@somdnews.com