Two Charged With Armed Robbery, Assault

OCEAN CITY – A 26-year-old New Jersey man was robbed at knifepoint, beaten and thrown unconscious into some bushes along 94th Street early last Sunday morning after accepting a ride to a party from his attackers.

Ocean City police officers were called to the area of Mediterranean Drive and 94th Street last Sunday morning to investigate a report of an unconscious man lying on the sidewalk. The investigating officers discovered Daniel Connelly, 26, of Brooklawn, N.J., passed out with dried blood on his face, neck and clothing.

After the officers were able to revive Connelly, who was reportedly intoxicated, they discovered he had been the victim of an armed robbery. Connelly told police he was at a mid-town nightclub earlier that night when he met four men. They offered to take him to a party and he accepted the ride.

The victim told police the ride he accepted took hjm to the bayside area of 94th Street where 10 men had now gathered. The group told Connelly it was the location of the party they had told him about. Two of the men then displayed switchblade knives and demanded Connelly’s money. The victim was able to briefly escape the vehicle and ran from the car, but was caught by the two men with switchblades.

The suspects, later identified as Gerrel Kess, 17, of Glen Burnie, and Tyrone Mann, 21, of Pasadena, went through Connelly’s pockets, taking his cell phone and cash from his wallet. Kess and Mann then beat the victim and threw him in the bushes.

Connelly was able to give the officers a description of Kess and Mann and OCPD Officer Lee Arlington was able to locate the two suspects nearby. Connelly was able to identify the two suspects as his attackers.

Police recovered a knife from Mann’s pocket and the victim’s cash from Kess’ pocket. Both were arrested and charged with armed robbery, first- and second-degree assault and misdemeanor theft. Both have been released on $50,000 bonds. Because of the severity of the charges, Kess, who is a juvenile, has been automatically waived to adult status.