Police Make Robbery Arrests

OCEAN CITY - A Boardwalk pedestrian was brutally attacked on Tuesday night and robbed of the money he was carrying and the baseball hat he was wearing, police said. The incident was one of three robberies that occurred in a 12-hour span in the resort.

On Tuesday, about 11:55 p.m., Ocean City Police officers were called to 22^nd Street and the Boardwalk to meet with a robbery victim. The victim told officers he was walking along the Boardwalk when he was approached by four males. One of the men stuck the victim in the head, knocking him to the ground. Another man demanded money. The victim surrendered his cash and one of the men stole his baseball cap as well, police said.

Two of the suspects were located and arrested a short time later at 24^th Street and Baltimore Avenue. They were still in possession of the victim's hat and money. Police arrested Brandon Fairchild, 19, of Gaithersburg, and Clifton Budd, 18, of Silver Spring. Fairchild was charged with robbery and misdemeanor theft. Budd was charged with robbery and second-degree assault.

Later in the night, shortly after 1 a.m., a young man was leaving Burger King on the Boardwalk when a male approached him. The suspect, a 17-year-old juvenile from Bishopville, punched the victim and stole his food. He fled the area and was captured several minutes later by an OCPD officer. The victim was not seriously hurt. The juvenile was charged with robbery, second degree assault and misdemeanor theft. The juvenile suspect was released into the custody of his parents.

In a separate incident, a few minutes before 3 a.m., two young men were carrying a 30 pack of beer near the intersection of Lark Lane and Judlee Avenue when a suspect approached the two and told them to give him their beer or he would beat and injure them. A fight ensued and police were on the scene moments later. Police arrested Richard Bless, 21, of Snow Hill. He was charged with robbery and two counts of second-degree assault.