BALTIMORE, MD – The man police say stole $200,000 worth of Hermés handbags from a home in Houston in December has been captured in Baltimore, and a few of the bags have also been recovered.
Edward M. Bryant, 40, is being held on a fugitive warrant at the Harford County Detention Center, according to the Maryland State Police and Texas authorities have begun extradition proceedings against him.
Earlier this week, troopers in the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division were contacted by investigators from the West University Place (TX) Police Department, who requested assistance with the investigation of a December 7, 2013, residential burglary during which eight Hermés handbags/purses valued at $200,000 were stolen. The investigation by West University Place Police had identified two suspects in Maryland, one of whom was Bryant.
Maryland State Police criminal investigators enlisted the assistance of personnel from the Maryland State Apprehension Team, the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, the US Marshal’s Service and the Baltimore Sheriff’s Office. West University Place Police detectives flew to Maryland to work with State Police on the continuing investigation.
Bryant was arrested at his home without incident on the morning of January 14th. Police recovered four of the stolen handbags at another location in the Baltimore area which is not being identified due to the ongoing investigation. The handbags included three Hermés Birkins, two valued at $38,000 each and one worth $30,000. The fourth was a Hermés Kelly valued at $15,000.
A search for the second suspect is continuing. Additional charges are pending. The investigation is continuing.
