The Cecil County Sheriff says the shelter-in-place alert was issued inadvertently

CHESAPEAKE CITY, Md. – If you live in Cecil County, you most likely received a shelter-in-place warning on Monday.

Although officers were investigating and actively searching for a wanted suspect, the sheriff’s office said the statewide notice was issued “inadvertently.”

On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office sent out a press release clarifying what happened.

There has reportedly been a recent spate of car thefts in the county, prompting a wide-ranging investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies in Maryland and Delaware.

Since the beginning of the investigation, investigators believe they have identified a group of juvenile suspects.

Another car theft was reported overnight Monday in southern Cecil County. In this case, the victim tracked his vehicle using an online app. This allowed investigators to locate the stolen car and package it in a neighborhood.

However, the suspect managed to elude police for several hours, sparking a manhunt.

The sheriff’s office says the shelter-in-place warning was “inadvertently” issued by Cecil County Emergency Services at the time.

The suspect was eventually located and arrested in Chesapeake City, but the sheriff’s office says the investigation continues.

Anyone with further information can contact Detective William Muller at 410-996-5500 ext. 3368 or email [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be made at 410-392-2180.