NRP Arrest Centreville Man For Theft From Boats

Centreville, Md. (June 18, 2010) – On June 15, 2010, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) arrested and charged Leo Elling Peterson III, 29 from Centreville, with three counts each of second degree burglary, fourth degree burglary, fourth degree theft, theft less than $1000 and trespassing. Peterson was also charged with one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

On June 7, NRP responded to the Centreville County Boat Ramp for complaints of theft from three vessels. Radios, boating equipment and tools were reported stolen. The investigation led NRP to Peterson’s residence where the stolen equipment was located. Peterson was taken before the Queen Anne’s County Commissioner where he was released on $5000 bond.

NRP reminds boaters to remove all valuable items from vessels when not in use. Valuable items left on board should be stowed out of sight and vessels should be kept locked at all times. Suspicious situations should be reported to NRP at 800-628-9944.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 247 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov