Crime & Safety

Dundalk Police Car Thief Suspected in Nine Burglaries

Michael Blottenberger has been charged in connection with two burglary incidents and the theft of an unmarked Baltimore County police car.

A Dundalk man arrested last week for stealing a police car is suspected in nine recent Dundalk burglaries, according to Baltimore County police officials.

Michael Blottenberger, 42, of the 800 block of Mildred Avenue, on June 12 was charged in connection with an attempted first-degree burglary in the 7500 block of Poplar Avenue and a first-degree burglary in the 7700 block of Nordbruch Avenue.

He remains in the Baltimore County Detention Center pending his ability to make a $1 million bail.

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"We have connected him to nine burglaries in the area," Det. Cathy Batton said Thursday.

Blottenberger is also suspected to have carried out an attempted first-degree burglary on Carson Avenue; first-degree burglaries on Carson and Goodman avenues and Berkshire and Fulbrook roads; and fourth-degree burglaries on Mildred and Rabon avenues, Batton said.

Find out what's happening in Dundalkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The incidents occurred between May 25 and June 12.

First-degree burglary is defined as an attempt to get into a residential building with the intention to steal, Batton said. A fourth-degree burglary is defined as occurring on trespassed property, without actually entering a home. For example, a bicycle or lawnmower stolen from a yard would be a fourth-degree burglary.

Blottenberger was arrested June 12 after a witness reported seeing a man use a crowbar to break in to a neighbor's home in the 7500 block of Poplar Avenue.

The would-be thief fled before police arrived. Later in the day, as police officers were canvassing the area, they spotted a man riding a bicycle with a television balanced on the handlebars who matched the description of the suspect from earlier in the day, according to police officials.

A couple of foot chases, physical struggles and an illegal police car ride later, officers arrested Blottenberger. They recovered the television set and a large quantity of jewelry at the spot where Blottenberger abandoned his bicycle, Batton said. The items are thought to have been stolen from a house in the 7700 block of Nordbruch Avenue.

Blottenberger also was charged with failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order, resisting arrest and the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle after he drove away in the unmarked police car.

The burglary investigation is still under way, and police officials expect to charge Blottenberger in connection with the remaining seven burglaries, Batton said.


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