Authorities Nab Fugitive In Woods

BERLIN - A Berlin man being sought by local law enforcement agencies and U.S. Marshals for over a week was apprehended late last week when police found him holed up in a makeshift campsite in the woods near the Worcester-Wicomico line.

Last Friday morning, a multi-agency search team, including the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, the Maryland State Police, Maryland Natural Resources Police and the U.S. Marshal's Office, located Robert Lee Miller, 38, and took him into custody. Miller had set up an elaborate system of warning devices to alert him if anyone came near his hiding spot, but authorities were able to take him into custody without further incident.

Miller's capture ended a 10-day, multi-agency manhunt for Miller, who was wanted in connection with an attempted robbery in Berlin back on July 22. Miller was also wanted by U.S. Marshals on a fugitive warrant for violating the terms of his probation on a weapons conviction dating back to 2003.

On Wednesday, July 22, Worcester County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area of Logtown Rd. in Berlin for a reported burglary and theft. During the course of the investigation, a Sheriff's Deputy located a pick-up truck parked on a dirt trail off the main road and encountered a white male later identified as Miller, sitting in the vehicle.

While being interviewed by police, Miller, who has a long history of run-ins with the law in Worcester County, was able to flee into the woods near the Worcester-Wicomico county line. An intense multi-agency manhunt was launched both on the ground and in the air. Late last week, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) took over the case and continued the investigation.

During the investigation, it was determined Miller was also wanted by U.S. Marshals on federal charges. A check of federal court records showed Miller was convicted in 2003 on charges of a felon in possession of ammunition and was sentenced to over four years in jail followed by three years of supervised probation including six months of home detention. In December 2008, Miller was arrested in Worcester County on several charges including driving under the influence, driving while impaired, negligent driving, and driving on a suspended license among others. That arrest violated the terms of his parole and probation in the federal ammunitions possession case.

After Miller was taken into custody last Friday, the Worcester County Sheriff's Office served him with an arrest warrant charging him with burglary and theft. U.S. Marshals were also on hand and served Miller with outstanding warrants related to his probation violations.