(Westminster, MD) – A Carroll County man was charged this past Wednesday with a weapons violation, impersonating a police officer and other related charges after troopers stopped his vehicle and found several police-like items after following up on a theft complaint at a local 7-Eleven convenience store.

                Thomas B. Robinson, 54, of the 3300-block of Salem Bottom Road in Westminster, was charged late Wednesday with transporting a handgun on public property, possession of a deadly weapon, theft, impersonating a police officer and unauthorized possession of law enforcement credentials.  After appearing before a Carroll County District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance, Robinson was released on his own recognizance pending trial.

This investigation began on Wednesday, June 29, 2005, when a representative of the 7-Eleven Corporation contacted investigators at the Westminster Barrack regarding a theft at a local store on the previous day.  The store is located in the 300-block of Baltimore Boulevard in Westminster.  The owner of the store suspected the theft was committed by an off-duty police officer.  A clerk apparently observed a male who frequents the store quite often, enter the location, remove a coffee mug from a shelf and fill it with a beverage.  The man reportedly entered the store not carrying any items.

Investigators subsequently contacted the owner and clerk at the 7-Eleven.  Video surveillance equipment was later reviewed confirming the theft.  Robinson was known to operate a dark-colored 2001 Ford Crown Victoria displaying Maryland registration.  He reportedly indicated that he is a retired Secret Service agent.  The windows on the vehicle were reportedly tinted, had two antennas mounted on the trunk and appeared to be “an official police vehicle.”  All pertinent information was broadcasted to area law enforcement personnel.

The vehicle was later observed by a trooper being driven on Old Washington Road and Route 32 in Westminster.  The dark blue Ford was stopped, and investigators responded to that location and identified Robinson as the male suspect appearing in the store video.  He was placed under arrest and taken to the Westminster Barrack.  A switchblade knife was observed clipped inside the pocket of the shorts he was wearing.  Robinson is the registered owner of the vehicle.

Troopers checked the vehicle and located an unloaded Smith & Wesson handgun concealed in a nylon “U.S. Secret Service” case in the trunk.  A magazine for the weapon was also located in the case and was filled to capacity.  A number of “law enforcement-like” items were observed  within the vehicle.  These included badges, an identification card and a U.S. Secret Service baseball cap.  The vehicle was equipped with red and white strobe lights and a siren.  Two dash-mountable blue strobe lights were found within the vehicle.  One was found under the driver’s seat and the other was positioned on the left rear deck.      

Investigators received permission to search Robinson’s residence and executed a search warrant on the vehicle.  Several “items of interest” were confiscated as a result.  Robinson later admitted to investigators that he has identified himself as a retired U.S. Secret Service agent to several people in the past.  Investigators have learned that Robinson is affiliated with the Carroll County Fire Police.  He reportedly has a relative who works for a law enforcement agency in Florida.  There is currently no information to indicate Robinson has stopped any motorists.