TEMPLE HILLS, Md. -- Prince George's County police charged a county police officer in a Temple Hills bank burglary.
Officers were called to the SunTrust Bank in the 4600 block of Old Branch Avenue around 3:40 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a man inside the bank.
Phone lines were cut after the SunTrust bank branch in the 4600 block of Old Branch Avenue closed Tuesday, police said. Six hours later a secret alarm brought firefighters to the bank and they saw a masked man fleeing and an officer who appeared to be giving chase.
A suspect was found and arrested and police said their investigation led to burglary charges against Cpl. Eddie Smith Jr. The 16-year veteran of the force assigned to the bureau of patrol has been suspended without pay.
Smith provided power tools for a man to break into an ATM safe at a Temple Hills bank and stood guard in uniform, police said.
Smith is charged with breaking and entering, a weapons charge and other offenses.
Police Chief Roberto Hylton said he's disheartened by the charges and will not tolerate wrongdoing by any member of the agency.
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An internal investigation will be conducted by the department's Special Investigative Response Team, officials said.
