CALIFORNIA, Md. — On Nov. 5, 2025, Robert James Grinder, 36, of Leonardtown, was arrested by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in connection with multiple theft investigations. Grinder faces charges including three counts of theft ranging from $1,500 to under $25,000, one count of a theft scheme, two counts of theft from $100 to under $1,500, and one count of malicious destruction of property valued under $1,000.
According to police, SMCSO deputies responded to Lowe’s Home Improvement following a report from the store’s asset protection personnel. Surveillance footage allegedly showed Grinder committing thefts on Sept. 11, Oct. 7, Oct. 31, and Nov. 4, 2025, with stolen merchandise totaling several thousand dollars. On Nov. 4, a store manager confronted Grinder, who reportedly refused to show a receipt, used profane language, and left with merchandise valued at $2,147.
In a separate incident the same day, deputies responded to Target in California, Md., regarding a theft of $1,348, and surveillance footage reportedly identified Grinder as the suspect.
Grinder was previously arrested in August 2025 in an unrelated theft case that remains pending.
A bail hearing on Nov. 6 set Grinder’s bail at $75,000. If convicted, he faces 90 days to five years in jail and fines up to $10,000, depending on the value of each offense. His trial is scheduled for Dec. 11, 2025, in St. Mary’s District Court.
