What was supposed to be a quiet overnight cleaning shift at the Giant on Solomons Island Road in Prince Frederick ended with three Baltimore men in handcuffs, after store staff said they helped themselves to groceries while on the clock.
Deputies say loss-prevention staff called them in after reviewing surveillance video that allegedly showed the crew concealing and removing items during the late-night shift. By the time law enforcement arrived, staff had already flagged a shopping cart, a black trash bag, and a backpack loaded with produce and other groceries.
According to court documents reported by Southern Maryland News Net, the men are identified as Victor Ariel Bermudez-Ventura, 33; Enrique Elia Bermudez-Ventura, 31; and Yafred Santos-Jeronimo, 19, all of Baltimore. A deputy responded at about 3:14 a.m. last Wednesday. The statement of charges lists the total value of merchandise at $182.30, while the store staff inventoried $145.99 in recovered goods.
Court records show all three were taken to the Calvert County Detention Center and each posted a $2,500 unsecured personal bond. Investigators allege that surveillance from March 10 and March 11 shows two suspects placing items into a large trash can while a third acted as a lookout, and that several food items were opened or eaten.
Surveillance And Staff Response
Video reviewed by investigators allegedly shows the two Bermudez-Ventura men moving merchandise from store shelves into a large bin in the health-and-beauty aisle, while Santos-Jeronimo stood watch and opened items, according to the charging documents.
Store employees told deputies they had previously encountered the same individuals at a different Giant last July, the paperwork states, which likely helped them connect the dots when the latest late-night activity started to look suspicious.
What The Charge Means
Each man faces one count of theft of $100 to under $1,500, a misdemeanor under Maryland law. Maryland Code §7-104 classifies theft by value tiers and outlines penalties and sentencing ranges; the exact potential sentence depends on case details and any prior convictions, per Maryland Criminal Law §7-104.
Retail Theft In Calvert County
Shoplifting at Giant and other big-box retailers has been a recurring theme in Calvert County sheriff’s blotters this winter, according to local reporting. Investigators say coordination with in-store loss-prevention has become routine when staff spot patterns or suspicious behavior.
Similar incidents and arrests at Dunkirk and Prince Frederick locations have been logged by area outlets, including previous cases highlighted by The BayNet.
District Court records show the cases against Bermudez-Ventura, Bermudez-Ventura, and Santos-Jeronimo were filed on March 11 in the District Court for Calvert County, and the defendants were released on bond. Court dockets will list hearing dates and next steps as the cases move forward.
