Man stole car hours after being released from Maryland jail, police say

CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A man has been arrested after officers recovered a stolen SUV during a traffic stop in Maryland.

According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, officers spotted a Dodge Journey reported stolen around 9:35 p.m. on March 23 near Holly Tree Lane and Western Parkway.

Police conducted a traffic stop and found three people inside the SUV, including the driver, Derrick Brown, 37, of Accokeek.

Investigators learned Brown had been released from custody earlier that same day after being arrested on a bench warrant tied to a missed court appearance for a prior drug charge.

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After his release, police say Brown stole the vehicle from a local business parking lot and kept it until officers stopped him.

The two passengers were unaware that the Journey was stolen and were released without charges.

Brown faces a charge of theft of a motor vehicle and was taken to the Charles County Detention Center, where he was later released on an unsecured $3,000 bond.