Authorities in Frederick County reported that two suspects were taken into custody after sheriff’s deputies interrupted what appeared to be an active burglary. According to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrested 26-year-old Damien Tubois Gentry and 34-year-old Gerald Antoine Cooper, both residents of Baltimore, following the incident.
Gentry faces multiple charges, including third-degree burglary, two counts of fourth-degree burglary (one related to a dwelling and another involving burglary tools), malicious destruction of property, failure to obey a lawful order, disturbing the peace, and obstructing and hindering. Cooper is charged with the same offenses, in addition to charges of providing fraudulent personal identity information to avoid prosecution and making false statements to law enforcement. Both men were transported to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center after their arrest.
The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation began around 8:13 p.m. on Sunday when deputies were called to the 7000 block of Ridge Road in Frederick for reports of suspicious individuals on private property. Upon arrival, deputies located two masked individuals near the front door of a residence. Both were dressed in dark clothing and wearing gloves and face coverings. As deputies approached, the two suspects fled into a wooded area behind the home.
A nearby resident later informed deputies that the individuals had run through his yard, causing damage to his property. Additional law enforcement personnel were deployed to the area to contain the suspects’ movements and assist in the search.
Deputies used aerial support, including a drone and a Maryland State Police helicopter, to help track down the suspects. The enhanced search efforts led to the successful apprehension of both Gentry and Cooper. Authorities noted that Cooper attempted to give deputies a false name during the arrest process in an apparent effort to evade identification.
Sheriff Chuck Jenkins praised the swift and coordinated response of the deputies involved. “This is a strong response and an effective follow-up by our deputies in apprehending the individuals involved,” Jenkins said. He added that deputies quickly recognized the signs of a burglary in progress and acted decisively. Jenkins also issued a warning to anyone considering criminal activity in Frederick County, stating that such actions “likely won’t end well—just as it didn’t for these two individuals.”
