Wednesday, May 30 – Man Slashed After Motel Room Break-In

OCEAN CITY – A Kutztown, Pa. man was hospitalized Monday morning after he and a friend broke into a hotel room.

Stephen Smith, 24, and his friend Justin Wiker, 24, of Northampton, Pa., were staying at the Spinnaker Motel on 18th Street. They became involved in a verbal argument with some other men also staying at the hotel. These men were staying four rooms down from Smith and Wiker.

Around 3:45 a.m., Smith and Wiker climbed over the balconies to get to room 519 where the other men were staying. After breaking into the room, the two began fighting with the two men in the room. During the fight, Smith received a slash wound to his side.

Shortly thereafter, other guests broke up the fight and removed Smith from the room. Ocean City Paramedics were called to the scene. Smith was flown by Maryland State Police Helicopter to Peninsula Regional Medical Center.

Wiker was arrested on the scene and charged with third-degree burglary and second-degree assault. Similar charges are pending against Smith.

No charges have been placed against any of the men in the room. The investigation is continuing. Smith was admitted to PRMC and is currently in stable condition.

See Friday’s Dispatch for any late-breaking news.