Annapolis Man Convicted in Multi-County Retail Theft Scheme

An Annapolis man has been convicted for orchestrating a retail theft operation that led to significant financial losses across Maryland. David Taylor Bernhardt, Sr., 57, pleaded guilty in Prince George’s County Circuit Court to a single count of theft scheme involving between $1,500 and $25,000. The conviction stems from a series of at least 62 theft incidents at Lowe’s and Home Depot locations, resulting in approximately $14,000 in losses.

Investigators uncovered that Bernhardt’s activities stretched across five Maryland counties, including Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Frederick, Garrett, and Allegany. His methods included concealing merchandise in less monitored areas of stores, using substitute barcodes at self-checkout stations to underreport prices, and selectively scanning lower-cost items while omitting higher-priced goods. In some cases, Bernhardt hit the same retail location multiple times in a single day.

Bernhardt’s thefts mainly involved home improvement items such as toolboxes, plumbing supplies, decorative plants, saw blades, air conditioners, circuit breakers, and LED lights. Prior to sentencing, Bernhardt repaid the full amount of restitution to the victimized retailers. He was granted probation before judgment and sentenced to five years of supervised probation, under the condition that he stay away from the affected stores.

The case was prosecuted by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Criminal Division, with significant assistance from the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown emphasized the broader impact of retail theft on businesses and consumers, underlining the state’s commitment to addressing organized theft operations.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland.

---