OFFICE of the SHERIFF for QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY

Press Release

 

Adult and Juveniles Arrested in Multi-State Crime Spree

 

On 12/03/2016, the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office investigated a burglary at the East Coast Storage, LLC located at 110 Chester River Heights Road in Millington, MD. During that crime, the suspect(s) cut a hole in the fence and entered the storage facility. The suspect(s) then cut the locks off of approximately ten storage units, each individually leased to different persons. The suspect(s) took approximately $1,100 worth of ammunition, one handgun, six long guns, and two pellet rifles from a gun cabinet in one of the storage units. The total value of items taken was approximately $5,000. The case was assigned to Corporal Troy Lowery-Criminal Investigations Unit of the Sheriff’s Office. There were a total of 11 victims in this case.

 

On 02/05/2017 the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office investigated another burglary at the East Coast Storage, LLC located at 110 Chester River Heights Road in Millington, MD. During that crime, the suspect(s) again cut a hole in the fence and entered the storage facility. This time, the suspect(s) then cut the locks off of approximately twenty three (23) storage units, each individually leased to different persons. The suspect(s) took a large amount (approximately $50,000 worth) of antique coins and a 16 quart cooler from one of the storage units. The total value of items taken was approximately $50,050. That case was assigned to 1/Sgt. Sonny Jones-Criminal Investigations Unit of the Sheriff’s Office. There were a total of 23 victims in this case.

 

Both investigators began researching similar crimes in the surrounding area and Delaware. They were able to locate a similar storage facility burglary in Dover, DE that also occurred on 02/05/2017. Investigators worked with Delaware State Police detectives, who had identified two possible suspects in the Dover, DE case, a 16 year old male from Townsend, DE and a 20 year old male (identified as Jacob Joseph Kolar) from Delaware City, DE. Investigators from the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office met with the 16 year old juvenile from Townsend, DE and conducted an interview. During that interview, the 16 year old confessed to the burglary on 02/05/2017 at East Coast Storage, and further admitted that the 20 year old male (Jacob Kolar) assisted in committing the crime. As a result of that confession, investigators were able to recover all of the stolen property (including approximately $50,000 worth of antique coins) from that case.

 

Investigators from the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office and Delaware State Police then met with Jacob Kolar and conducted an interview. Kolar also confessed to the burglary at East Coast Storage on 02/05/2017. During further questioning, Kolar admitted to also committing the first burglary at East Coast Storage on 12/03/2016 in which firearms were taken, and stated that the 16 year old juvenile from Townsend, DE, as well as that juvenile’s 14 year old brother assisted in the commission of that crime.

 

A joint investigation then began between the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, Delaware State Police Troop #3, Delaware State Police Troop #2, and Smyrna, DE Police Department. Investigators conducted searches at the homes of Jacob Kolar in Delaware City, and the juveniles’ home in Townsend, DE. During those searches, evidence was recovered linking them to both of the burglaries at East Coast Storage, more than 10 other storage facilities throughout northern Delaware, a hunting lodge in Kent County, MD, and some unidentified properties in Pennsylvania.

 

Many of these crimes are still under investigation, and new victims are being identified as the investigations continue.

 

Sheriff Gary Hofmann stated that “The successful conclusion of these investigations would not have been possible without the teamwork of the Criminal Investigations Unit of the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, the Delaware State Police, and Smyrna, DE Police Departments.”

 

On 03/07/2017, both juveniles and the adult (Kolar) were charged for the burglaries at East Coast Storage. Those charges are as follows:

 

Burglary @ East Coast Storage reported on 12/03/16

Case # 16-35505

Investigator: Cpl. Troy Lowery #0109

 

Charges for both juveniles and Jacob Kolar are as follows:

2nd degree burglary (felony) 10 counts

Conspiracy to commit 2nd degree burglary (felony) 10 counts

4th degree burglary (misdemeanor) 11 counts

Theft over $1,000 (felony) 2 counts

Malicious Destruction of Property under $1000 value (misdemeanor) 11 counts

 

Burglary @ East Coast Storage reported on 02/05/17

Case # 17-3705

Investigator: 1/Sgt. Morris “Sonny” Jones, Jr. #0060

 

Charges for the 16 year old juvenile and Jacob Kolar are as follows:

2nd degree burglary (felony) 23 counts

Conspiracy to commit 2nd degree burglary (felony) 23 counts

4th degree burglary (misdemeanor) 23 counts

Theft over $10,000 (felony) one count

Malicious Destruction of Property under $1000 value (misdemeanor) 23 counts

 

The juveniles were released to a parent pending Juvenile Justice Proceedings. Kolar is in custody in New Castle Delaware and the QA Warrants have been filed as detainers.