What started as a routine shoplifting complaint at a Glen Burnie Target turned into a brief chase and a tossed handgun on Monday afternoon, police said. Officers later recovered the weapon - a loaded 9mm Glock 26 - and no injuries were reported in the Nolpark Court shopping area just south of Ritchie Highway.
Anne Arundel County officers were called around 3:45 p.m. for a reported theft at the Target at 7951 Nolpark Court and saw two males running from the store, sparking a short foot pursuit, according to Fox Baltimore. Both suspects were caught after the chase, and one had discarded a loaded 9mm Glock 26 that officers recovered at the scene. The department logged the case as 26-716254 while detectives continue their work, according to Anne Arundel County Police.
Officers recover weapon after chase
Both men were taken into custody, and the seized handgun was secured as evidence at the scene, Fox Baltimore reported. The outlet repeated details from the police account but noted that formal charges were not listed in its coverage. Fox identified the suspects as De'Wayne Maurice Hiers Jr. and Kameron Jaylen Offer, both 21.
Suspects identified, investigation ongoing
The county police press release listed the suspects as De'Wayne Maurice Hiers Jr., 21, of Millersville, and Kameron Jaylen Offer, 21, of Severn, and said Eastern District detectives are handling the investigation, according to Anne Arundel County Police. The department did not immediately release information on any court filings or whether the recovered firearm had previously been reported stolen. Typically, evidence is processed and then forwarded to the State's Attorney's Office as an investigation moves ahead.
Context: discarded firearms in short chases
Cases where suspects ditch guns during brief foot pursuits have surfaced elsewhere in Maryland and helped spur conversations among lawmakers about the circulation of modified handguns and conversion devices, according to testimony filed with the Maryland General Assembly. That testimony, along with other local reporting, has highlighted the public safety risks when loaded weapons hit the ground in busy areas and the forensic legwork required to trace those guns. Detectives note that even quick foot pursuits are treated as high-risk situations when a firearm is in play, which is why officers secure and log recovered weapons as evidence.
Detectives continue to investigate the Glen Burnie incident and have not yet publicly outlined any charges. This story will be updated as charging documents or court records become available.
