BERLIN – A Cambridge, Md. man wanted in Dorchester County on assault and malicious destruction of property charges was arrested in Berlin early Tuesday afternoon after being found selling meat products out of a van in a Berlin neighborhood.
Shortly before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Berlin police were dispatched to an area on Ann Drive in reference to a report of two suspicious individuals selling meat products out of a van. Upon arrival in the area, the officers located the van displaying the company name “Capital Meats” along with the two suspicious individuals on Ann Drive.
After making contact with the two suspects, Berlin police discovered they were in fact selling meat out of the van without a license or Worcester County Health Department authorization. The driver of the van, identified as Dwayne Terrell Lake, 30, of Cambridge, was found to have an arrest warrant sworn out on him in Dorchester County for two counts of second-degree assault and malicious destruction of property.
Lake was arrested and transported to the District Court Commissioner’s Office where he was ordered held on a $25,000 bond. The van and the meat were turned over to the Worcester County Health Department.
Prescription Drug Theft Arrest
OCEAN PINES – An Ocean Pines man was arrested on theft and drug charges this week after allegedly swiping prescription drugs.
On Sunday, Ocean Pines police arrested David Neal Cherry, Jr. and charged him with theft under $1,000 and possession of controlled dangerous substance after an investigation revealed the suspect was involved in the theft of prescription drugs while performing home improvement duties for another resident in the community. Cherry was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was later released on personal recognizance pending trial.
More Pines Theft
OCEAN PINES – An Ocean Pines man was arrested on theft charges last week after allegedly utilizing stolen credit card information.
Last Thursday, Ocean Pines police arrested Timothy Charles Thomas, 51, of Ocean Pines, on four counts of theft under $100 and one count of theft scheme under $1,000. The investigation revealed Thomas allegedly obtained a credit card from the victim, an Ocean Pines homeowner, who was attempting to pay him for some yard work. Thomas then allegedly used the credit card for unauthorized personal payments. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and later released on an unsecured $2,000 bond.
Loud Party Nets Pot Bust
OCEAN PINES – A Fork, Md. man was arrested on drug charges this week at a party in Ocean Pines during which 16 individuals were cited for underage drinking.
On Tuesday, Ocean Pines police responded to a residence in the community to investigate a complaint about a loud party. Upon arrival, Ocean Pines authorities discovered a party and cited 16 individuals for underage drinking. Pines Police also arrested a suspect, later identified as Jeffery Jones, 18, of Fork, Md., and charged him with possession or marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of paraphernalia. Jones was taken before a District Court Commissioner and later released on his own recognizance.
One Injured In Berlin
Single-Vehicle Accident
BERLIN – One person was sent to the hospital with undisclosed injuries after a single-vehicle accident on Libertytown Rd. in Berlin last week.
Around 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 14, the Berlin Fire Company was alerted to a single-vehicle accident involving an overturned car on Libertytown Rd. in Berlin. Prior to arrival, Berlin Fire/EMS units were alerted one person was trapped in the vehicle. Showell Fire Chief Chris Cropper was the first on the scene and quickly confirmed the unidentified driver was trapped in the vehicle, which had left the roadway and overturned in a field.
The victim was extricated shortly after the overturned vehicle was stabilized and was transferred by ambulance to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury with undisclosed injuries. The victim’s condition was not reported. Berlin Chief Derrick Simpson had command of the scene and assigned Captain Eric Budd with rescue operations.
Boardwalk Dealer Sentenced
OCEAN CITY – A Pennsylvania man arrested in June after arranging to sell ecstasy to undercover Ocean City Police officers during an ongoing buy-bust operation on the Boardwalk pleaded guilty last week in District Court to possession of controlled dangerous substance and was fined $1,000 and placed on probation to two years.
Throughout the summer, the OCPD targeted sales of illegal narcotics in the resort, particularly on the Boardwalk, with an aggressive undercover operation during which officers made contact with suspected dealer and arranged to buy drugs, or even sell them in some cases. For example, on June 14, OCPD undercover narcotics detectives made contact with a suspected dealer, later identified as Keir Andrew Christy, 20, of Lititz, Pa., and inquired about purchasing marijuana.
Christy allegedly told police he had a friend who had a large amount of ecstasy he was selling. While Christy escorted the undercover officers to the buy, he told the undercover officers about his plan to rob the other man and steal his drugs and money. Christy allegedly enlisted the undercover officers’ help with the robbery and told them he was going to carry out his plan with or without their help.
Christy arranged the meeting with the dealer and once the transaction was complete, the undercover officers arrested both men and charged them with possession of CDS, possession with intent to distribute CDS and conspiracy to distribute CDS. According to police reports, in addition to making the drug arrests, the operation was also successful in thwarting a potentially serious assault and robbery. During the arrest, OCPD undercover detectives seized a total of 32 ecstasy pills, two hydrocodone pills and over $200 in currency.
Last week in District Court, Christy pleaded guilty to possession of controlled dangerous substances and was placed on probation for two years and fined $1,000.
Teen Cleared Of Theft
OCEAN CITY – One of four New York teens arrested in July on burglary and theft charges after an alleged spree on the Boardwalk pier had the charges against him dropped, or not prosecuted, last week in District Court.
Around 10:35 p.m. on July 14, employees of Pier Amusements contacted Ocean City police about a series of thefts on the popular Boardwalk attraction. Based on the descriptions provided by the employees, OCPD officers were able to locate the four suspects only a block from the crime scene. Arrested were Ian Malachy Ellis-Jones, 18, of Albany, N.Y.; Michael Thomas Dwyer, 18, of Hudson, N.Y.; Gregory Arthur Wilson, 18, of Red Hook, N.Y.; and Peter William Marvin, 18, also of Red Hook.
The investigation resulted in the recovery of several items stolen from Pier Amusements including T-shirts, stuffed toys and tools. One of those arrested was identified as the suspect in a second-degree burglary in the resort the night before. The four suspects faced a variety of charges from burglary to theft. Last week in District Court, Wilson had the charges against him nolle prossed, or not prosecuted. Dwyer and Marvin appeared earlier for trial and each was fined $250 and placed on probation for one year. Meanwhile, Ellis-Jones is scheduled to appear to face the remaining charges against him in January.
Jail For DUI With Kids In Car
SNOW HILL – A Berlin woman arrested in August for driving under the influence and child endangerment after police observed her buying alcohol at a convenience store with young children waiting in a van outside served two days of a 30-day sentence last week after being found guilty of driving under the influence per se.
Shortly before 11 p.m. on Aug. 7, Berlin police responded to Your Store on Old Ocean City Blvd. for a possible drunk driver with two children in the vehicle. When police arrived, they located the van in question with two children, ages 11 and 7, inside. Police then observed the driver, later identified as Jennifer Kline, 39, of Berlin, inside the store buying alcohol.
The police noted Kline was out of sight and sound from her children in violation of state law. When the officers made contact with Kline, they noted in their report she appeared to be intoxicated. After failing field sobriety tests, Kline was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and child endangerment. A toximeter test revealed her breath-alcohol content was over twice the legal limit.
Last week in District Court, Kline was found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol per se and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. Twenty-eight of the days were suspended and Kline served the remaining two days following the trial. She was granted probation before judgment on the leaving a child unattended charge and was placed on probation for two years.
Pot Leads To Jail
SNOW HILL – A Salisbury man busted with a significant amount of pot after a routine traffic stop in August pleaded guilty last week to possession of marijuana and was sentenced to 90 days in jail.
Around 6:45 p.m. on Aug. 1, a Maryland State Police trooper stopped a Ford Econoline Van on Route 113 at Main Street in Berlin for a routine traffic violation. As the trooper approached the van and made contact with the driver, later identified as Clifton J. Briddell, 26, of Salisbury, a strong odor of marijuana was detected coming from the vehicle.
A probable cause search turned up over 93 grams of marijuana. Briddell was arrested and charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
Last week in District Court, Briddell pleaded guilty to possession and was sentenced to 90 days in jail. He was also fined $200.
Spotlighting Deer
BERLIN – A Worcester man was charged last week with spotlighting deer in a rural area in the south end of the county.
Last Wednesday, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charge Ricky Tull Holland, 49, of Pocomoke, with casting rays of artificial light with a weapon in his possession and a loaded firearm in his vehicle. The incident took place last Wednesday around 9 p.m. on Dunn Swamp Rd. During the incident, NRP officers also seized a .24 caliber rifle. A court date has been set for Jan. 15.
Former Seasonal Officer Honored
OCEAN CITY – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) last week renamed its Baltimore field office in honor of slain agent Sam Hicks, a former Ocean City Police seasonal officer, who was killed in action a little over a year ago.
The FBI on Monday renamed its Baltimore Field Office in honor of Hicks, an agent who was killed during the service of a search and seizure warrant at a suspected drug trafficker’s residence just outside Pittsburgh last November 18. The Ocean City Police Department was well represented at the building dedication ceremony in Baltimore on Monday, which was also attended by his wife and son and numerous former law enforcement colleagues.
Hicks began his career in law enforcement in 2001 as a seasonal officer with the OCPD. After graduating from the OCPD seasonal police academy, Hicks was assigned to dayshift patrol under current Lieutenants Robert Noll and Richard Currence and Sgt. Mark Paddack. While employed as a seasonal officer, Hicks led his shift statistically and performed his duties with dignity and professionalism exceeding all expectations, according to those under whom he served.
In the fall of 2001, Hicks left Ocean City to further his career in law enforcement. He graduated from the Baltimore Police Academy in 2002 and served on the city’s police force until 2007.
After resigning from the Baltimore Police Department, Hicks joined the FBI’s joint terrorism task force in Pittsburgh. On Nov. 18, Hicks was killed during the service of a search and seizure warrant at a suspected drug trafficker’s residence just outside Pittsburgh. On Monday, the FBI field office in Baltimore was dedicated as the Sam Hicks Building, which now displays a plaque inside with a quote from famed Irish writer Edmund Burke that reads, “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.”
OCPD Toy Drive Underway
OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Police Department Christmas Needy Drive Distribution is right around the corner and the Ocean City community is getting together again to lend their support to families in need.
This effort, which began by Chief Bernadette DiPino several years ago, will be organized by members of the OCPD with help from several Ocean City residents, local organizations and businesses.
The department has already begun to see the generosity of the community as toy donations as well as monetary donations have started to arrive at the Public Safety Building. Unwrapped, new toys may be brought directly to the lobby of the 65th Street Public Safety Building and checks or cash contributions can be sent to the Office of the Chief.
The OCPD Public Affairs Office is also accepting names of children or families that are in need of assistance this holiday season. In order to qualify for assistance, families must be Ocean City residents or employed in Ocean City. Please contact 410-520-5395 for more information about how to participate in the Ocean City Christmas Needy Drive Distribution.
The distribution will take place on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 8 a.m. The OCPD is asking that all donations be made by Friday, Dec. 18. For more information on you can donate or if you would like to volunteer during the distribution, please contact Jessica King at 410-520-5395.
Arrest Log
OCEAN CITY – Despite the dreary mid-November crowds in the resort last week, the Ocean City Police Department was busy on the roads with dozens of arrests made and many more citations handed out.
The following is a quick glimpse at the number of arrests for which no more information was provided then a line of type in the weekly report: driving under the influence arrests, five; drug arrests, three; burglary, one; first-degree assault, one; and second-degree assault, one.