Murder Suspect Caught During Traffic Stop Near Bay Bridge: Police

Annapolis MD

17 February, 2021

12:25 PM

Description

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Police said an Anne Arundel County traffic stop helped officers catch a man accused of a Talbot County murder. Authorities found the victim around 9:15 p.m. on Feb. 9 during a wellness check, an incident report noted. Police identified the deceased man as Richard Brunkhorst. He was 91. Investigators added that Brunkhorst's injuries suggest that he was in a struggle. First responders reported that the backdoor of Brunkhorst's Easton home, located in the 100 block of Tred Avon Avenue, was left open. Police explained that Brunkhost's car and guns were missing from his residence. The Maryland Transportation Authority spotted the stolen car around 12:57 a.m. on Feb. 10, the write-up informed. Police said they pulled the car over on westbound U.S. Route 50 at exit 29, which is near the Annapolis side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Officers saw the missing guns in plain sight, the report indicated. Authorities said they took the accused driver, Charles J. Smullen, to the Easton Police Department for processing. The report noted that 46-year-old Easton man faces charges of: First-degree murderFirst-degree burglaryHome invasionFirst-degree assaultSecond-degree assaultReckless endangermentTheft Officers added that they took Smullen to the Talbot County Detention Center. Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Annapolis newsletters and real-time email alerts. Have a story idea? Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.