LA PLATA, MD — Charles County Sheriff’s Office detectives, working with Prince George’s County Police Department detectives, arrested Thomas Clay Guinyard, 30, of Hyattsville, on December 31, 2025. The arrest stemmed from multiple active warrants related to the theft of heat pumps and air conditioning units valued at more than $40,000, affecting over 10 businesses in the region.
Officers located Guinyard on the day of the arrest. As they approached, he attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended without additional incident. Detectives recovered a vehicle Guinyard had been driving, which had been reported stolen prior to the encounter. Authorities charged Guinyard with theft and destruction of property in connection with the series of incidents.
Guinyard is being held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center pending further court proceedings.
The investigation highlights a pattern of targeted thefts involving HVAC equipment, which often requires specialized tools and knowledge to remove and transport. Such crimes disrupt local businesses, particularly those reliant on climate control systems during seasonal temperature changes in Southern Maryland. The collaboration between the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and Prince George’s County Police Department allowed investigators to track leads across jurisdictional lines and execute the arrest efficiently.
The total value of the stolen units exceeds $40,000, underscoring the financial impact on the affected commercial properties. More than 10 businesses across the region reported losses tied to these thefts. No additional suspects have been named in the available information, and the case remains active as detectives continue to examine related evidence.
This arrest follows a broader effort by local law enforcement to address property crimes involving valuable and easily resalable equipment in Southern Maryland communities. Authorities have not released specific locations of the affected businesses or details on how the units were targeted and sold.
