Police: 2 Corrections Officers Looted During Baltimore Riots
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- They normally work behind the walls of the prison, but now two corrections officers are facing criminal charges themselves. The two women are charged with looting a 7-Eleven during last month's riots.
Meghan McCorkell has more on how they were caught.
Dozens of people were caught on camera looting a downtown 7-Eleven on April 25th, but it's the identities of two women in particular that's got people shocked.
Kendra Richard and Tamika Cobb--both Maryland State correctional officers--now face burglary and theft charges.
"They dumb and dumber. It was like no way… they're going jeopardize their jobs like that," Sharon Oliver said.
They were busted after their bosses were alerted to a YouTube video--allegedly showing them stealing chips and Slim Jims.
WJZ tried to speak to the two officers. Neither answered the doors at their listed addresses.
WJZ has learned that both Cobb and Richard are veterans of the corrections department, dedicating more than nine years.
The officers--assigned to the Baltimore Reception Diagnostic Classification Center--are now suspended without pay.
Corrections Secretary Stephen Moyer saying in part: "We will not allow the vast majority of our employees who are honest and hardworking to be tainted by the actions of a few."
But State Senator Michael Hough says after last year's prison gang scandal, these arrests indicate issues remain throughout the jail system.
"Obviously, we still have a big problem if we have people who are supposed to be protecting the public who are then rioting, or joining in rioting and looting," Hough said.
The two officers are set to face a judge next month.
Both Cobb and Richard have been released on bond.
