Beer Can Trail Leads To Burglar

BERLIN -- A Berlin man was arrested on burglary and other charges this week after a trail of beer cans connected him to a break-in at a package goods store near Ocean Pines.

Last Friday, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office responded to an activated burglary alarm at the Barley Hops and Grapes convenience store on Route 589 near Ocean Pines. Upon arrival, deputies observed a window on the north side of the building was broken and also observed a case of Miller Lite in the parking lot.

Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detectives were called to the scene and a canvas of the area revealed a torn piece of a Miller Lite 30-pack case several yards from the store’s broken window. Officers continued to canvas the area for a suspect or suspects and discovered a trail of beer cans leading from the store in the direction of cottages nearby.

Detectives searched the area and discovered the stolen beer behind one of the cottages. The officers questioned the residents and identified the suspect as Robert Owen Ray, Jr., 28, of Berlin. When the officers arrived at the residence, Ray fled on foot. He was found a short time later in a relative’s house nearby hiding in a closet. Ray was arrested and charged with second- and fourth-degree burglary, theft, malicious destruction of property and possession of marijuana. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was ordered to be held on a $15,000 bond.