Ocean Pines Teen Arrested In Armed Robberies Of Cab Driver

OCEAN CITY – A local man is behind bars this week on armed robbery, assault and other serious charges after a joint investigation by the Ocean City and Ocean Pines Police departments identified him as one of two suspects sought in a pair of strong-armed robberies of taxi cab drivers last week.

Around 1:15 a.m. last Thursday, Ocean City police responded to the area of 5th Street and Edgewater Ave. in the resort in reference to an armed robbery that had taken place. The victim, an on-duty cab driver, told Ocean City police he had received a call from a restricted number requesting a taxi from Ocean Pines to Ocean City.

Earlier, around 12:50 a.m., the cab driver picked up two unidentified males on Marview Drive in Ocean Pines and brought them to Ocean City. Once at the 5th Street area, the two suspects assaulted the cab driver and stole money and other items from the victim.

A second similar incident took place later last Thursday. Around 9:30 p.m., a taxicab driver responded to Brandywine Drive in Ocean Pines to pick up a fare bound for Ocean City. Two males entered the cab at that time and demanded money before assaulting the driver with an unidentified weapon. Two days later, on Jan. 1, after a joint investigation conducted by the Ocean City and Ocean Pines Police departments, Ocean City Police were able to identify one of the suspects wanted in connection with the two taxicab armed robberies.

Ocean City Police have identified and charged Thomas Scaniffe, 17, of Ocean Pines with armed robbery, robbery, first- and second-degree assault and resisting arrest. Scaniffe is being charged as an adult because of the severity of the charges. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner in Ocean City who ordered him held on a $250,000 bond. He was then transferred to the Worcester County Jail where he remained as of mid-week.

Meanwhile, the investigation into possible other suspects is ongoing. Ocean City and Ocean Pines Police are asking anyone with knowledge about the incident or the suspects to contact the Ocean City Police Criminal Investigation Division at 410-723-6604.