Annapolis Man Convicted In $14K Multi-County Retail Theft Scheme

David Taylor Bernhardt Sr., a 57-year-old man from Annapolis, was convicted for orchestrating a retail theft scheme that targeted Lowe’s and Home Depot stores across five Maryland counties, resulting in approximately $14,000 in stolen merchandise. Bernhardt committed at least 62 thefts using tactics such as concealing items in off-camera areas and manipulating self-checkout barcodes to scan cheaper items or avoid scanning expensive ones. He frequently returned to the same stores, sometimes stealing multiple times in a single day, and stole a variety of home improvement products including toolboxes, plumbing fittings, and LED lights. Bernhardt pleaded guilty to one count of theft scheme and repaid full restitution before being granted probation before judgment, receiving five years of supervised probation with a condition to stay away from the victim stores. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown emphasized that retail theft raises prices for consumers, reduces access to goods, and strains law enforcement resources, underscoring the state’s commitment to holding offenders accountable. The case was prosecuted in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County.