A man in Charles County, Maryland, was released from jail after allegedly stealing a car. One day later, he decided to do the same, but with a school bus, of all things, authorities said.
As reported by the Southern Maryland News Net (SMNN), the first incident occurred back on Saturday, July 18. At around 8:34 a.m., a La Plata Police Department officer responded to an IHOP located on Rosewick Road.
The cop had been informed of a stolen vehicle, and the owner told him that a man had left in his 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage. He had left it running as he entered a local restaurant to pick up a DoorDash order.
Police reviewed surveillance footage, which showed a man entering the Mirage and driving away shortly after smoking a cigarette. The man was later identified as 34-year-old Joseph Andrew Townsend.
First Arrest
Another police officer would later report seeing a man walking on Washington Avenue. He matched the suspect’s description.
Townsend was placed under arrest and taken to the Charles County Detention Center. Deputies with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) then found the Mirage at a convenience store in Waldorf.
The 34-year-old was charged wtih theft of property valued between $1,500 and $25,000, unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle, and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. He was released on a $5,000 unsecured personal bond, meaning he didn’t pay a dime to be released from jail.
School Bus Driving
At around 10:30 a.m. on July 19, that is, less than a day after Townsend’s release, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a school bus near the intersection of Leonardtown Road and Old Washington Road. As per the CCSO, the driver had failed to stop for a red light.
The driver complied with the deputies and stopped his vehicle. While doing so, he struck a curb, damaging the front of the school bus, the CCSO said.
Inside the vehicle, deputies noticed that there were no passengers. The only individual inside was the driver. It was Joseph Andrew Townsend. Again.
Arrested, Again
According to the CCSO, Townsend’s bus misadventures started when he entered a privately owned school bus lot. He is accused of finding the key to a bus, which he then used to steal it.
As per SMNN, Townsend agreed that he had run a red light. A deputy also detailed that he was aware that he was not supposed to be driving the school bus, and Townsend said that he initially only wanted “some air condition,” later choosing to drive off with the vehicle.
He was placed under arrest and returned to the Charles County Detention Center. He is charged with theft over $25,000 and is being held without bond.