OCEAN CITY — An Ocean City man was arrested on first-degree burglary and other charges last week after police connected him to an alleged break-in at a residence after which he claimed to be a witness to a spree of vehicle burglaries in the same area.
On Dec. 10, Ocean City Police responded to a reported theft from a motor vehicle on Sea Lane. Responding officers met with the victim, who told police an unknown suspect had broken into his truck and stole numerous pieces of jewelry kept in a clear plastic box. The stolen box included various rings, necklaces and pendants with a total value of over $3,500.
On the same day, Ocean City Police responded to another reported vehicle break-in near 114th Street during which some change and other property was stolen. During yet another vehicle break-in investigated on the same day, a different victim reported his Jeep had been broken into and numerous items were stolen including a GPS device, a radar detector, a cellphone charger, a Wal-Mart bag containing two quarts of oil and a Fager’s Island bag containing a sweatshirt.
While the investigation into the vehicle break-ins was ongoing, police responded to a reported burglary on Oyster Lane around 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 13. Officers met with a witness, later identified as Matthew Gruber, 30, of Ocean City, who lived next door to the burglarized residence. Gruber told police his dog had run over to the neighbor’s back porch and began barking.
Gruber told police he observed two males in black hooded sweatshirts flee the residence and run between the two houses. However, according to police reports, Gruber changed his story several times while speaking with the officers.
OCPD officers observed the exterior window to the porch had been removed and the screen had been cut. It appeared as though the suspect or suspects had removed a glass pane, cut through the screen and forced open a window to gain entry into the residence. Officers made contact with the homeowner, who advised aflat-screen television and audio equipment valued at around $500 had been stolen.
Last Wednesday, police met with the victim of the vehicle break-in. The victim told police his son-in-law had recovered one of the stolen rings and knew the location of two more of the stolen rings. The son-in-law told police a friend had purchased the rings from a man who lived nearby on Oyster Lane, later identified as Gruber. The son-in-law told police his friend had purchased the two rings from Gruber for $100.
Based on that information, officers met with the purchaser who confirmed he had purchased two rings from Gruber. The purchaser said his brother had also bought a ring from Gruber. While police were talking to the purchaser, his fiancé returned home and was wearing one of the stolen rings. The victim from the vehicle break-in was able to identify the rings as among those stolen on Dec. 10.
Based on that evidence, police obtained a search-and-seizure warrant for Gruber and his residence and vehicle last Thursday. During a search, Gruber was found to be in possession of a stolen ring and bracelet in his pocket. In Gruber’s vehicle was the stolen GPS, radar detector and other property.
During a post-arrest interview, Gruber confessed to the vehicle break-ins and the burglary at the residence on Oyster Lane. Recovered from Gruber’s residence were the stolen flat-screen television and other electronics from the Oyster Lane burglary. Gruber has been charged with first-degree burglary, theft from $1,000 to under $10,000 and rogue and vagabond.