A Fort Washington police officer who allegedly tried to burglarize a Temple Hills bank June 10 waived his right Thursday to a preliminary hearing in his upcoming trial.
After being arrested by his coworkers in police District 4, Eddie Smith Jr., 41, was suspended without pay.
His attorney, John McKenna of Upper Marlboro, did not immediately return calls for comment.
Ramon Korionoff, a spokesman for the Prince George's County's state's attorney's office, said the office and the defense are working together to come up with a possible plea bargain.
Smith's next court date had not yet been determined, he said.
A 16-year veteran of the force, Smith was not on duty at the time of the incident but was carrying his department-issued handgun and was wearing his uniform.
Smith remained outside the SunTrust Bank at 4625 Old Branch Ave. during the attempted burglary while codefendant Earl Blake Sr., 52, of Capitol Heights tried to break into the bank's vault, police said.
The two men were found with burglars' tools, such as crowbars, an electrical cord, a cut-off saw and saw blades after fleeing from the scene.
Police picked up Blake on a nearby road and later picked up Smith after identifying him as a suspect.
Smith was charged with burglary, malicious destruction of property, for the damage to the vault, and with using a handgun in the commission of a felony. He was also charged with possessing and permitting the use of burglars' tools with intent to use in the commission of a burglary.
The criminal investigation has been turned over to the FBI. Richard Wolf, a spokesman for the bureau's Baltimore field office, said Friday the investigation is ongoing. After the criminal investigation and prosecution are completed, county police will begin an internal investigation.
Smith's next court date had not been determined, Korionoff said Thursday.
Blake was charged with burglary, malicious destruction of property and possessing burglars' tools with intent to use in the commission of a burglary.
Blake is being represented by public defenders Dent Lynch and Anne Gold-Rand.
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