Upper Marlboro Man Charged, Found Hiding in a Greenhouse In Bethesda

An Upper Marlboro man has been charged with burglary after police say he ran through a Bethesda neighborhood and hid in a greenhouse behind a home in an attempt to elude officers.

Police said Gary Lee-Thomas, 28, of the 6500 block of Gold Yarrow Lane in Upper Marlboro, fled from officers in the Ashburton neighborhood after neighbors reported he appeared to be casing homes.

Police responded to the 10100 block of Ashburton Lane around noon on Friday, Jan. 18 after receiving several calls about a man “who was walking around the neighborhood and seemed to be examining houses,” said Officer Rebecca Innocenti, a police spokeswoman.

When police encountered Lee-Thomas, they say he ran from officers. Using a canine who picked up his scent, officers found Lee-Thomas hiding in a detached greenhouse behind a home in the neighborhood.

Innocenti said officers found burglary tools including a screwdriver, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in a backpack he was carrying.

Lee-Thomas was arrested and charged with fourth degree burglary for breaking into the greenhouse, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, and possession of burglary tools, Innocenti said.