6.12.12: Hatch Sentenced for Conducting Robberies While Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer
June 12, 2012 -- Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yolanda A. Tanner sentenced Joshua Hatch yesterday to 34 years in prison, 15 of them suspended, for conducting two robberies while impersonating a law enforcement officer.
On July 6, 2010, Hatch exited a blue Dodge Caravan in the 4100 block of Fairhaven Avenue to speak with Javon Williams. Wearing a badge around his neck and a black handgun on his belt, Hatch identified himself as "Officer Benson" and asked Williams about homicides in the area. Hatch then ordered Williams into his van. Inside, Hatch searched Williams, removing $533 from the victim's pocket, and collected his identification, writing the information down in a book before returning the card and instructing him to leave. Williams returned to the scene roughly 10 minutes later to inquire about the cash that Hatch had taken. Hatch responded that he had turned it over to his supervisor. The victim reported the incident to police.
Four days later, on July 10, Hatch exited the minivan in the 2600 block of Huron Street to speak with Isaac Haskins, who was inside of his vehicle. Wearing a badge around his neck and carrying a can of mace, Hatch asked the victim what he was doing and then pulled him from the car. He asked for identification and began searching the victim's pockets. Hatch took Haskins back to the van and removed $435 from the victim's pocket. The van's driver in both incidents, John McCracken, drove Haskins around the block and dropped him off in the 2400 block of Hollins Ferry Road. Haskins reported the incident to police.
Later the same day, police arrested Hatch and McCracken as they allegedly attempted another robbery at the intersection of 2nd Street and Washburn Avenue. Both men were wearing "Fugitive Recovery Agent" badges around their necks.
A Baltimore City Circuit Court jury convicted Hatch on October 11, 2011, of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, impersonating a police officer, and false imprisonment for the incident involving Javon Williams.
At the sentencing hearing yesterday, Hatch, 29, also pled guilty to the incident involving Isaac Haskins. The 34-year sentence is for both crimes. Two additional robbery cases against Hatch were dropped as part of the agreement. Upon release, he is to serve four years of probation.
McCracken, 37, pled guilty on September 27, 2011, to a number of charges, including armed robbery and impersonating an officer, and was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison, with all but two years suspended, and three years of supervised probation.
Assistant State's Attorney Lauren Seldomridge prosecuted the cases.