Armed Robbery Suspects Sought
BERLIN — The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) continues to investigate a roadside armed robbery near Showell.
The alleged incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. on Jan. 8 when a victim was forced to pull onto the shoulder on southbound Route 113 near Route 589 in Showell. The vehicle, described as a dark-colored passenger vehicle, pulled in and stopped in front of the victim.
According to police reports, three African-American males exited the suspect vehicle and subsequently assaulted and robbed the victim at knifepoint. WCBI detectives are requesting anyone with information or who may have observed the assault and robbery to contact the department at 410-632-1111. According to police, the incident does not appear to be related to police impersonation cases reported in the area late last year.
Two Arrested For Assault
WEST OCEAN CITY — A local couple was charged with assault and other counts last week after a domestic incident in West Ocean City.
Last Wednesday, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence on Elm Street in West Ocean City for a reported domestic incident. The investigation revealed Kerry Lynne Parent, 57, and Craig Tannahill, 65, had allegedly assaulted each other during the incident.
Parent was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. Tannahill was also charged on a criminal summons with second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.
Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest
BERLIN — A Berlin man was arrested for driving on a suspended license and drug paraphernalia charges last week after a routine traffic stop.
Last Thursday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle on Georgetown Road and Pin Oak Drive in Berlin for a passenger not wearing a seatbelt. The deputy identified the driver as Allen Simmons, 55, of Berlin, and determined Simmons was driving on a suspended Maryland license.
During a subsequent search, a K-9 scan of the vehicle yielded a positive alert. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of suspected paraphernalia including a hypodermic needle and metal spoon with suspected heroin residue. Simmons was arrested and charged with driving on a suspended license and possession of controlled drug paraphernalia. He was released pending trial.
Alleged Drug Dealer Nabbed
OCEAN CITY — A Snow Hill man was arrested on multiple drug distribution counts last week after a month-long investigation into his alleged activities in and around the resort area.
During the month of December, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) detectives began an investigation into the alleged drug dealing of a suspect, identified as Jamon Byrd, also known as Smiley, 33, of Snow Hill. On Dec. 29, an OCPD undercover narcotics officer made contact with Byrd via cell phone to arrange for the purchase of powder cocaine.
Byrd agreed to meet the undercover officer in the area of 7th Street but the deal was later moved to the parking lot of a motel on 5th Street. Byrd met the detective at the pre-arranged time and place and consummated the deal, selling the detective $100 worth of power cocaine, according to police reports.
On Dec. 30, the OCPD detective again contacted Byrd via cell phone and inquired about purchasing more powder cocaine. According to police reports, Byrd told the officer he did not have any powder cocaine, but had good quality crack cocaine for sale. The detective arranged to meet with Byrd at the White Marlin Mall in West Ocean City and purchased $120 worth of crack cocaine in a similar manner with Byrd placing the narcotics in the detective’s vehicle gas cap and accepting the cash through the vehicle window. It was noted in the report the transaction was allegedly completed within 1,000 feet of the drug-free safety zone of a nearby school.
On Jan. 12, the same OCPD undercover detective again contacted Byrd via cell phone to arrange for the purchase of powder cocaine. The deal was initially set up for the new Royal Farms convenience store on Route 50 across from Stephen Decatur High School, but Byrd changed the location to the area of Flower Street in Berlin. The undercover detective arrived at the appointed time and place and again purchased an amount of powder cocaine totaling $150.
According to police reports, after that transaction Byrd asked the detective for a ride to Salisbury, but the detective told him he was not able to give him a ride. A short time later, the detective called Byrd back and advised him he would be able to give Byrd a ride to Salisbury and agreed to pick him up in the same area around Flower Street. The detective also made arrangements to have an arrest team waiting at the Royal Farms store on Route 50.
According to police reports, the detective picked up Byrd at Flower Street and drove him to the Royal Farms store and parked in the lot. At that point, the arrest team swarmed in and took Byrd into custody. Based on the evidence, Byrd was charged with distribution of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) and distribution of CDS in a school zone. He was later released after posting a $50,000 bond.
Jail For Snapchat Jeep Thief
SNOW HILL — A New York man arrested in July on vehicle theft and other serious charges after swiping a Jeep from a midtown nightclub parking lot and recording the incident on Snapchat pleaded guilty this week and was sentenced to three years in jail, all but 90 days of which were then suspended.
Shortly before 11 a.m. last July 16, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to Seacrets parking lot for a reported stolen vehicle. The initial investigation revealed the 1994 Jeep Wrangler had been stolen earlier that morning at around 2 a.m. OCPD officers located the stolen Jeep parked at a condominium building in the area of 37th Street, but were unable initially to identify a suspect.
Around 8 p.m. that evening, OCPD officers developed information that a suspect, later identified as Brian S. Engelmann, 24, of Mystic Beach, N.Y., had posted a series of videos on the popular social media platform Snapchat showing him stealing the Jeep earlier that morning. OCPD officers were able to locate and record a series of videos posted on Snapchat to identify Engelmann as the suspect. The videos also showed Engelmann stealing the Jeep and driving erratically to 37th Street.
A further review of Engelmann’s Snapchat “story” revealed he had returned to the same nightclub that evening. OCPD officers responded to the bar and were able to locate and arrest Engelmann with the assistance of nightclub security.
Police charged Engelmann with vehicle theft in addition to multiple traffic violations that could be seen during the initial series of videos he had posted on Snapchat including using a handheld phone while driving, negligent driving and driving on a suspended license. On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty conditionally to unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and was sentenced to three years, all but 90 days of which was then suspended. He was also placed on probation for two years.
30 Days For Tirade
SNOW HILL — A Virginia man, arrested on first-degree assault and other charges in July after chasing a man with a knife during a racially-charge, expletive-laced tirade on a downtown Ocean City street, pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
Around 12:30 a.m. last July 15, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer on uniformed patrol responded to the area of Lark Lane for a citizen’s report of two men yelling profanities and appearing as if they were going to fight in the middle of the street. As the officer approached, even from a distance of at least 100 feet away, he observed the suspect, later identified as Jermell Norris, 33, of Leesburg, Va., screaming racial slur-laced profanities in the street as a crowd began to form.
The OCPD officer observed Norris chasing after a male victim with a metal folding knife. The officer approached in his vehicle and observed Norris continuing the chase the victim with the knife. According to police reports, the victim was covering his side and complained of pain in his rib cage. The officer ordered Norris to sit down, but when Norris failed to comply and continued his tirade, the officer utilized his Taser to gain compliance.
Even after Norris was handcuffed, he continued his racially-charged, expletive-laced tirade. OCPD officers interviewed witnesses in the area who told police Norris was threatening everybody and charged after the victim with the knife. Witnesses told police Norris they believed Norris would have stabbed the victim if he had gotten close enough. Norris was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, disorderly intoxication and a noise violation.
Last week, Norris pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and failure to obey a lawful order and was sentenced to 90 days in jail. All of the sentence was then suspended but 30 days. He was also placed on probation for two years.
Computer Scam Warning
OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) this week is warning residents of a spike in computer-related scams.
In each case, a victim has reported being contacted in some way by an online computer repair company telling them that their computer has a virus that needs to be removed. The victims would then pay the repair company hundreds of dollars, either through a wire transfer, gift cards or a fictitious online payment system.
In one case, a victim lost nearly $1,000 before contacting police. In most cases, the scammer or scammers would gain remote access to the victim’s computer and rather than fix it, would create a virus instead. Internet crimes such as the one surfacing in the resort area this week result in the theft of millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims across the country each year.
As a result, the OCPD is offering a few simple safety tips this week to spot and avoid similar scams. For example, be cautious of unsolicited offers. If one did not seek computer repair services, a legitimate company would not know repairs are needed. Also, be wary if the service provider asks to be paid only through wire transfers, gift cards or cash.
Whenever purchasing goods or services with a credit card over the Internet, ensure the site is secure and reputable before providing credit card numbers or other information. Finally, research a company before agreeing to any service. Most legitimate companies will have information online as well as customer reviews. Anyone who believes he or she may have been the victim of a similar crime should contact the OCPD or their local police department.
