Brothers Nabbed In Marina Burglaries

OCEAN CITY - Resort police last week closed the books on burglaries at three downtown marina businesses in early September after connecting a pair of local brothers to the break-ins through surveillance video obtained from one of the victims.

In early September, OCPD detectives began investigating three commercial burglaries and one attempted burglary at waterfront businesses in the marina area between Talbot and Wicomico streets. According to police reports, the outside bar at the Angler Restaurant and the deck bar at M.R. Ducks, both on the water at the foot of Talbot Street, along with the outside bar at Bahama Mama's on Wicomico Street, were all burglarized between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Sept. 8.

While investigating the thefts at the Angler and M.R. Ducks, detectives discovered the suspect or suspects had also attempted to break into the Marina Deck restaurant next door but were unsuccessful. According to police reports, the cash registers at all three burglarized businesses had been pried open in a similar manner although it is uncertain how much money was removed.

OCPD detectives were able to recover video surveillance tapes from the Angler showing the two suspects enter the business and go behind the outside bar.

According to police reports, the turning point in the investigation occurred when several local news media outlets showed the recovered surveillance video of the two suspects committing the burglaries and police received information from local citizens about the possible suspects.

Investigators were able to locate one the suspects, Robert James Strickler, Jr., 37, of Ocean City, in the resort last week and he has been arrested and remains behind bars on a $65,000 bond. Police then obtained an arrest warrant for Frank William Strickler, 35, of Prince William County, Va., whose documents also list an Ocean City address.

Last week, Prince William County officials notified the OCPD they had picked up Frank Strickler on the outstanding warrant for the Ocean City marina burglaries. As of yesterday, Frank Strickler remained in custody in the Prince William County Jail awaiting extradition to Worcester County.