White Hall Man Arrested for Trying to Steal Motorcycle

A White Hall man is facing possible jail time for allegedly trying to steal a motorcycle from a woman who once called him "a friend," according to court records. 

Gerald Rafferty, 48, reportedly broke into a home in the 1300 block of Monkton Road on Oct. 26. The homeownever, who in 2011 let Rafferty live in her home for the month of May, told police she saw Rafferty wheeling her 2000 Harley Davidson motorcycle out of her home. 

When the victim confronted Rafferty, he ran into the woods near her home. 

Police deployed a helicopter and K-9 units to track down Rafferty. Police then received another call about a man hiding next to a home nearby, who turned out to be Rafferty. 

Police tracked down their suspect at Blue Mountain Road at approximately 9:30 a.m. Rafferty again took off into the woods. Police eventually caught up with the 48-year-old who had to be subdued by two short bursts of pepper spray, court documents show.

While in handcuffs, Rafferty told police "he wasn't trying to steal the motorcylce," according to the report. "He stated he had a friend drop him off at the location and observed the motorcycle half way out of the door so he decided he was going to put it back inside and that is when the victim returned home." 

Rafferty, who lives in the 4700 block of Amoss Road, said that he still received mail at the Monkton Road address since being released from the Harford County Detention Center. 

"I advised Defendant Rafferty it was strange that someone would run through the woods to escape the place they reside," the report reads. 

While attempting to identify Rafferty, police found that he was wanted for several alleged crimes in Pennsylvania, at least of for an act of violence. 

Rafferty was charged with burglary, theft and the unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, which was valued at $9,000. 

A District Court preliminary hearing in Towson has been scheduled for Nov. 21 at 8:30 a.m.