Charles County officers arrested a Waldorf man accused of stealing a school bus after he failed to stop for a red light and struck a curb during a traffic stop.
On July 19 at approximately 10:30 a.m., officers initiated the stop at the intersection of Leonardtown Road and Old Washington Road. As the driver began pulling over, he struck a curb, causing minor damage to the front of the bus.
No passengers were on board. A preliminary investigation revealed the driver, identified as Joseph Andrew Townsend, 34, of Waldorf, had entered a privately owned school bus lot, located the keys and stolen the vehicle.
Townsend was arrested and charged with theft over $25,000. He is being held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center.
The incident occurred in a busy commercial and residential area of Waldorf in Charles County. Authorities noted the potential danger of an unauthorized person operating a large vehicle such as a school bus, even without passengers aboard.
This case highlights the importance of securing keys and vehicles at private lots to prevent theft and potential public safety risks.
