A 29-year-old man from Maryland, identified as Jalen Godard, is facing charges related to an alleged burglary at a Verizon store in Ellicott City. The incident, said to have occurred on June 25, includes charges of second-degree burglary, theft, and destruction of property, according to court documents.
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The sequence of events leading to Godard’s arrest began early in the morning when police responded to a burglary report at the Verizon store. During their investigation, officers discovered a broken window with blood stains. Bodycam footage released by the Howard County Police Department depicted officer Pfc. Buchanan encountering Godard outside a nearby 7-11 at around 5:44 AM.
During this encounter, Godard claimed that his truck had been stolen while he was inside McDonald’s, just across the street. However, moments before encountering Godard, Officer Buchanan was already investigating the burglary at the Verizon store, where CCTV footage captured a masked intruder moving about inside the premises and allegedly stealing speakers.
As Buchanan interacted with Godard, he noticed blood on Godard’s hands and glasses. When asked about the blood, Godard denied any involvement with the Verizon store, confidently insisting, “I wasn’t at no Verizon store, sir. I promise to God.” Nonetheless, evidence was mounting against him, and Buchanan soon informed Godard that the situation was dire, stating, “the gig’s up.”
In a moment of apparent shock, Godard then exclaimed, “they stole my f—ing truck? Oh my God.” To this, Officer Buchanan responded with a remark about karma, suggesting that it was ironic that Godard had lost his vehicle while being arrested for burglary.
Godard explained that he had left his truck unattended for a moment as he entered the 7-11, only to discover upon his return that the parking spot was empty. This revelation came after police had begun piecing together the evidence from the scene at the Verizon store and the interaction with Godard.
Currently, Godard is being detained at the Howard County Department of Corrections. Court records do not specify whether he has pleaded to the charges, but it is reported that he waived his right to legal counsel during a bond review that took place on the same day as the incident. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 24.
This unusual case, involving a suspected burglar whose misfortune regarding his vehicle arguably adds a twist to the story, has drawn attention from the local community. While the investigation continues, the authorities are keen to gather further evidence and provide updates on the proceedings. The situation serves as a reminder of the unexpected turns that can arise during criminal investigations and the potential consequences of one’s actions.