String of home burglaries in Baltimore County linked to suspect through GPS and distinctive screwdriver

A 64-year-old man was arrested in connection with a series of burglaries since August in Baltimore County, police said.

Baltimore County police allege Raymond Byrd is linked to at least six burglaries in the Towson, Parkville, and White Marsh areas.

Investigators said the cases were connected after victims identified stolen property that Byrd had sold.

Byrd is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

Surveillance footage, GPS aided in arrest

Martin Pursley, who has lived on Matthews Drive in Parkville for around a decade, said he noticed something was amiss, especially on his next-door neighbor's house, like he did on September 6.

"My wife and I were out on our back porch and we noticed that our neighbor's screen door was cut a little bit and [open] a little bit ajar," Pursley said. "She wasn't at home, we called her family, nobody was expected at the house."

This is the oldest case to which Byrd is tied at this time. Police have charged Byrd with the burglaries at two other homes in Parkville, two homes in Rosedale, and a home in Towson.

According to investigators, Byrd allegedly used a large prying tool to force entry into several homes when no unlocked doors or windows were found.

Police said the tool appeared to be a large screwdriver or pry bar with a transparent red acetate handle.

Surveillance footage also showed the suspect using a cell phone–shaped device as a flashlight, police said.

Detectives believe he targeted the rear entrances of single-family homes and, in several cases, used a ladder or stacked outdoor furniture to reach elevated doors or windows.

After obtaining a court order to install GPS tracking on Byrd's 2006 Jeep Cherokee, detectives monitored his movements through the neighborhoods where the burglaries occurred.

On October 17, investigators located and arrested him as he was driving out of a Parkville neighborhood. 

Charging documents say "more than a handful of jewelry was pulled from his pants pockets" at the time of his arrest, as well as a pair of gray gloves.    

Following his arrest, detectives obtained search and seizure warrants on October 18 for both his room at the Executive Inn on Pulaski Highway and his vehicle. 

A search of his hotel room and Jeep Cherokee revealed the distinctive screwdriver matching the one seen in surveillance footage, along with a black knit hat, face mask, and jewelry that would later be verified as stolen from the burglaries, police said.

There are additional cases Byrd is suspected of being tied to, based on how the homes were broken into. However, police say there is no other evidence to further tie him to those additional cases at this time.

Police recover stolen items

Court documents allege Byrd stole more than $44,000 worth of property and caused about $7,200 in damage to doors, windows, and security systems.

Police said they recovered about $17,200 worth of stolen items after Byrd allegedly sold jewelry to local pawn shops between September and early October, using his Maryland driver's license to complete the transactions. 

Neighbors helping neighbors

Shenelle Carlton, of Parkville, said this case showcases why it's important neighbors help each other out.

"We look out for each other, we want this to be a nice place to live, safe," Carlton said. "You want to know that your neighbor is watching your back."

It's something Pursley agrees with. He said Byrd was seen around the neighborhood a week after his neighbor's break-in, and they banded together to make sure police had all of their security camera footage in this instance, too.

"Having good neighbors, being close with your neighbors, it's incredibly important," Pursley said. "They look out for you, you look out for them, it's a team effort."