Stolen Tags Lead to Arrest on Easton Bypass

Talbot County, MD - A routine traffic stop on the Easton Bypass turned into a theft arrest last week after deputies discovered the vehicle was displaying stolen license plates.

On May 12, 2026, deputies from the Talbot County Sheriff's Office pulled over a vehicle near Ocean Gateway for a registration violation. A records check quickly revealed that the plates on the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Queen Anne's County.

Deputies identified the driver as Jordan Philip Shoaf, 34, of Preston, Maryland. Shoaf was charged with theft, driving a vehicle on a highway without current registration, and displaying registration plates belonging to another vehicle.

Following his arrest, Shoaf was transported to the Talbot County Central Booking facility. He appeared before a District Court Commissioner and was released on his own recognizance.

The stop serves as a reminder that even minor traffic violations can lead to more serious discoveries. Deputies routinely run records checks during traffic stops, and stolen plates are often flagged quickly through those checks.

Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.