Politics & Government

Court Commissioner's Office Declines Comment on Suspected Burglars' Bail

Would not say why $15,000 bail was set for suspected door kick-in burglars.

The Howard County District Court Commissioner's office has declined comment on why a was set for each of two suspected burglars charged in four door kick-in burglaries. The two also are believed linked to 10 other kick-ins.

"We don't provide comments to the media," said an official who declined to provide her full name.

The $15,000 bail, which some consider too low, was set by Commissioner Oreon W. Pinkston II, according to court documents. Pinkston was not available to comment on why the bail was set.

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Patch continues to seek a response from Howard County Administrative Commissioner Megan Dickerson.

Patch commenters expressed outrage over the suspected burglars' being released on $15,000 bail in a previous story.

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"The bail set is a joke," wrote Lorraine Kelly. "Now they have time to rob some more so they will have money if their bail amount is raised."

"This is CRAZY, you get them and you set them free that easy - Unbelievable!!!" wrote Huda Jameel.

The bail was set before a prosecutor could provide a bail recommendation, according to Natasha Byus, the assistant state's attorney handling the case. 

Joseph Leo Baumgarten, 40, and Dianna Lynn Marketti, 30, were arrested on Oct. 4 and charged with four first-degree burglaries after police tracked them down through stolen Ravens' tickets and by combing local pawn shops.

In the four burglaries, police reported the suspects allegedly stole more than $22,000 in valuables, including six firearms.

Marketti, of Dundalk, and Baumgarten, of Pasadena, posted bail shortly after it was set on Oct. 5.

Baumgarten has a previous record that includes four previous convictions for burglary, according to court records. While Marketti has 15 outstanding traffic cases, including one as recent as Sept. 26, most for driving on a suspended license.

Byus filed a motion to adjust the bail to $600,000 for Baumgarten and $300,000 for Marketti after the suspects were released. A hearing for that motion has not yet been set, according to a spokesperson for the state's attorney's office.

An arraignment date, for their indictment, has been set for Nov. 15, according to the spokesperson, who noted Byus could ask for an increase in their bail at that hearing if another hearing isn't set before then.

Related Articles:

- Daytime Door Kick-in Burglaries Cease; Investigation Continues

- Police: Stolen Ravens Tickets Lead to Door Kick-in Burglaries Arrests

- Daytime Door Kick-In Burglaries Prompt Police Warning

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