Watch CBS News

Prosecutors Bring New Charges in Missing-Neighbor Case

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Prosecutors are bringing more charges against a western Maryland man accused of stealing his neighbor's money to pressure him into revealing her whereabouts.

Washington County Deputy State's Attorney Joe Michael told a Hagerstown judge Wednesday that 67-year-old Jerry Petry could get his $500,000 bail reduced if he directs investigators to Laurie Hendershot's body.

Prosecutors call the Hancock man a "person of interest" in the disappearance last summer of his 54-year-old neighbor. He was charged in September with forging her signature to steal about $4,000 from her bank account.

The new charges are nine firearm-related offenses. Michael says investigators found three handguns, a shotgun and a rifle — all belonging to Hendershot — buried on Petry's property.

Assistant Public Defender Alex Hutt declined to comment on the case.

 

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.