Hancock Man Faces More Charges In Disappearance Of His Neighbor

Prosecutors hope this man reveals the location of Laurie Hendershot.


HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) – Prosecutors are bringing more charges against a western Maryland man accused of stealing his neighbor’s money to pressure him into revealing her whereabouts.

Washington County Deputy State’s Attorney Joe Michael told a Hagerstown judge Wednesday that 67-year-old Jerry Petry could get his $500,000 bail reduced if he directs investigators to Laurie Hendershot’s body.

Prosecutors call the Hancock man a “person of interest” in the disappearance last summer of his 54-year-old neighbor. He was charged in September with forging her signature to steal about $4,000 from her bank account.

The new charges are nine firearm-related offenses. Michael says investigators found three handguns, a shotgun and a rifle – all belonging to Hendershot – buried on Petry’s property.

Assistant Public Defender Alex Hutt declined to comment on the case.

 

By The Associated Press