Two Baltimore correctional officers were charged with theft and two counts of burglary this week in the looting of a downtown convenience store last month during the Baltimore riots – unrest that was sparked by the police custody death of Freddie Gray, according to a statement released by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS).
The officers were identified as Tamika Cobb and Kendra Richard.
Investigators with DPSCS Intelligence and Investigative Division, acting on a tip, obtained a video posted on YouTube allegedly showing the pair participating in the looting of closed 7-Eleven convenience store on the corner of W. Baltimore and Howard streets on April 25 – the first night of riots.
The officers were both assigned to the downtown Baltimore Division of Correction facility and were placed on unpaid leave since the charges against them included felonies according to the DPSCS statement.
Police said the video showed Richard leaving the store holding Slim Jims and Cobb holding Tostitos chips. Police identified Richard as the woman exiting the store wearing yellow tennis shoes, black Adidas jogging pants and a jean jacket and identified Cobb leaving the store dressed in yellow shoes, blue pants and a black shirt with a large white graphic on the front.
Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Stephen T. Moyer praised investigators saying:
“Our Intelligence and Investigative Division did an outstanding job, immediately following-up on this tip. We will not allow the vast majority of our employees who are honest and hardworking to be tainted by the actions of a few.”
Neither Cobb nor Richard had attorneys listed in court records. Both officers were processed at Central Booking. Bail was set at $35,000 each.
