Three Including Infant Injured in Accident

Three Including Infant Injured in Accident
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SNOW HILL – Three people including a two-month-old infant were injured in a two-car accident near Snow Hill last Thursday.

Shortly before 5 p.m. last Thursday, Maryland State Police troopers from the Berlin barrack responded to a reported accident on Route 12 near St. Luke’s Rd. The responding trooper came upon the scene and observed a 1996 Toyota Camry in the woods near the roadway that had come to rest against a tree. The trooper also saw a 2006 Nissan Altima on its roof just off the shoulder of the road.

With the help of a witness, the investigation revealed the Toyota Camry was traveling south on Route 12 while the Nissan Altima was traveling north. The driver of the Toyota, identified as Jennifer Louise Adkins, failed to stay right of center and crossed into the path of the Nissan, driven by Michael Adrian Jackson.

Jackson tried to avoid a collision, but was unable to keep from being struck by Adkins’ vehicle. The Toyota clipped the Nissan in the left rear, causing Jackson to lose control and overturn. The Toyota continued south into the woods before striking a tree. Adkins, Jackson and a two-month-old infant were transported by ambulance to PRMC where they were each treated for minor injuries.

Playing Keno On Company’s Dime

WEST OCEAN CITY – A West Ocean City resident was arrested on theft charges last week after it was discovered she rang up nearly $6,000 in Keno losses at her place of employment.

On Feb. 15, Maryland State Police troopers responded to Mike’s Shell in West Ocean City for a reported theft. The investigation revealed a store employee, identified as Michelle Christine Minnie, 24, of West Ocean City, who was an employee, had started to play Keno while on the clock and continued to play while charging the losses to the store. The total losses were approximately $5,800. Minnie was charged with theft over $500.

Alleged OC Stabber Has Day In Court

OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City woman arrested in January after allegedly stabbing her boyfriend two times in as many days had an initial appearance in District Court on Wednesday and was ordered held on a $30,000 bond while awaiting trial scheduled for March 31.

Sherri Dawn Clark, 45, of Ocean City, appeared in District Court on Wednesday to face serious charges including first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and carrying a concealed weapon with intent to injure following an incident that began in the early morning hours on Jan. 31 when she allegedly first stabbed her boyfriend in the chest with a steak knife during a domestic dispute. The victim did not report the alleged initial stabbing, but called police when Clark allegedly stabbed him again, this time in the foot, during a second altercation.

Around 11 p.m. on Jan. 31, OCPD officers responded to the Burgundy Inn on 12th Street for a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, the officer interviewed the victim, who was lying on a couch bleeding from the foot. The victim told police his girlfriend, Clark, had stabbed him in the foot earlier in the evening, but had stabbed him in the chest the night before.

The victim told police he had been arguing with Clark the night before, Thursday, Jan. 31, when she went into the kitchen and returned with a steak knife and stabbed him in the chest while he was lying down. The victim also told police Clark had bit him in the face during the initial altercation and the officer observed evidence of a bite mark on the right side of Clarkson’s face and neck.

Clark then left the apartment, but returned early the next morning. The victim went to work all day, but returned to the apartment in the evening to find Clark in the apartment with others. The couple got into another argument during which Clark allegedly grabbed a knife from behind a pillow and slashed at Clarkson again, this time missing his chest but hitting him in the foot.

At her initial appearance in District Court on Wednesday, bail for Clark was set at $30,000 and she was ordered to be held at the Worcester County Detention Center pending trial. A March 31 trial date has been set.

Tennis Anyone?

WEST OCEAN CITY – A local woman was arrested on drunk driving and malicious destruction of property charges last week after running her car into the fence surrounding the tennis court at a West Ocean City community after an argument with her boyfriend and father.

A little before 10 p.m. last Thursday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to the Spyglass Cove community on Golf Course Rd. for a reported domestic disturbance involving an automobile accident. The  investigation revealed a woman, identified as Laura Perrell Bechtel, 21, of Ocean City, had been arguing with her boyfriend and father when she became angry and drove her car into the tennis court fence in the community.

Bechtel was arrested for driving under the influence and charges of malicious destruction of property are expected pending contact with the property owners.

DUI Suspect Uses His Head

OCEAN PINES – A Pennsylvania man was arrested on drunk driving and other serious charges this week after bashing the hood of a state police cruiser with his head.

A little after 5 a.m. on Monday, a Maryland State Police trooper responded to the area of Cathell Rd. and Racetrack Rd. for a citizen report about a suspected drunk driver. The trooper located the suspect vehicle heading east on Cathell Rd. The trooper got behind the vehicle, which stopped on the side of the road. When the driver, identified as Keith Stuart Reeves, 46, of New Tripoli, Pa., got out of the driver’s side door, he fell to the ground.

He was then arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. According to police reports, Reeves was extremely belligerent and combative at the time of his arrest and at one point threw his head onto the hood of the trooper’s police cruiser, causing a dent. Reeves was offered medical treatment but refused. He continued to be very disruptive and belligerent throughout his arrest.

Reeves was charged with driving under the influence, disorderly conduct, assault and malicious destruction of property.

Three Arrested For Pot In Separate Traffic Stops

BERLIN – Maryland State Police last week made several marijuana possession arrests during routine traffic stops across northern Worcester County.

On Feb. 21, an MSP trooper pulled over Franklin Timothy Brinker, 18, of Selbyville, Del., for speeding on Route 610 near Whaleyville. During the stop, the trooper noticed some flakes of marijuana on Brinker’s lap and the ensuing probable cause search revealed an ounce of marijuana in the center console of his Ford Explorer. Brinker was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana.

On Feb. 23, an MSP trooper stopped a vehicle for going 60 mph in a 40 mph zone on St. Martin’s Neck Rd. at Route 90. The officer noticed trace amounts of what he believed was marijuana on the person of the driver, identified as Michael James Sharp, 23, of Fruitland. According to police reports, Sharp was extremely nervous and his hand was shaking as he handed his license to the officer. A search turned up a bag of marijuana in Sharp’s pants pocket and more pot in a cigarette box next to the driver’s seat. Sharp was charged with possession and released on his personal recognizance.

Finally, on Feb. 24, an MSP trooper stopped a green Pontiac passenger car for speeding on Route 346 near Whaleyville. The trooper noticed the strong odor of marijuana coming from the driver, identified as Amanda Kathleen Hahner, 25, of Salisbury, and a search was conducted which resulted in the discovery of marijuana in the center console of the vehicle. Hahner was then arrested and charged with possession.

No License Plate Leads To Pot

OCEAN CITY — An Ocean City woman was arrested on marijuana possession and traffic charges last week after getting pulled over for not having a front license plate on her vehicle.

Last Tuesday, an OCPD officer on routine patrol near 33rd Street observed a Mazda station wagon without a front license plate. The officer stopped the vehicle around 46th Street and asked the driver, identified as Jessica L. Boyd, 23, of Ocean City, why her tag was missing. Boyd told the officer the tag had fallen off the vehicle a week earlier and that she had lost the vehicle’s registration. She then presented a learner’s permit to the officer.

A background check revealed Boyd did not have a Maryland’s driver’s license although she was eligible. She was then placed under arrest for driving without a valid license. As she was being handcuffed, Boyd told the officer, “Just so you know, I have my bowl and marijuana in my left jacket pocket.”

The officer then retrieved a small multicolor glass smoking device and a baggie of marijuana from Boyd’s pocket. She was charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, driving without a license, failure to display a registration card and failure to attach plates at front and rear.

Seven More Nabbed In Warrant Round-Up

BERLIN – An aggressive warrant initiative carried out by three state troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin barrack in January exceeded expectations with dozens of known wanted criminals from the local area rounded up all over the state and beyond.

On Jan. 11, the MSP Berlin barrack implemented an aggressive warrant initiative to support the department’s mission as it relates to criminal enforcement and the apprehension of criminal offenders. Led by Tfc. Craig Suttka, the three-member team that also included Tfc. David Grinnan and Tfc. James Brant, worked closely with local and out-of-state allied agencies as well as a few private entities to identify the location of suspects throughout the state and various parts of the country.

The warrant initiative team was hard at it again last week with seven new arrests made including an Ocean City man wanted for failing to appear in court in two separate cases who was found in the Sussex County (Del.) Correctional Institute. The warrant team also found another man wanted in Worcester in the Delaware facility.

William John Burruss, 47, of Ocean City, was wanted for failing to appear on a second-degree assault case and a first-degree burglary case and was located in the Sussex Correctional Institute. The warrant team is currently working with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office on extradition for Burruss.

Similarly, James Alden Ash, 22, of Millsboro, Del., was wanted on a failure to appear bench warrant for a driving under the influence and leaving the scene of accident involving property damage case in Berlin and was located in the Sussex jail. Ash was extradited by the warrant team to the Worcester County Jail where he is being held on a $25,000 bond.

Also rounded up last week by the warrant team was William Edward Hedrick, 49, of Ocean Pines, who was for violating his probation from a driving while revoked conviction. John Wayne Wilson, 53, of Elizabethtown, N.C. was brought in a failure to appear for a driving while suspended court date and was held on a $10,000 bond.

Mark Christopher Seamone III, 27, of Norfolk, Va., was also brought in for failing to appear for a driving while suspended case and was held on a $1,000 bond, as was Keith Roberto Hellman, 27, of York, Pa. Finally, Ricky Allen Byan, 20, of Churchton, Md., was arrested on an outstanding warrant for a burglary and was ordered held without bond.

Pot Possession Conviction

OCEAN CITY – Mark Terrill Rich, 29, of Denton, Md., appeared in District Court Monday morning to plead guilty to possession charges from a 2006 incident.

On April 15, 2006, officers observed Rich driving in the area of 15th Street and Baltimore Ave. Officers pulled Rich over after observing Rich holding an open Coors Light beer bottle while driving. A K-9 unit was called to the scene and alerted officers to the vehicle. Marijuana was recovered and was later revealed to be 3.9 grams.

Rich pleaded guilty to the offense this week in District Court and was sentenced to three days in the county jail with credit for time already served for all three days. He was also fined $357.50.

Heirloom Jewelry Swiped

BERLIN – Maryland State Police this week are looking for the suspect or suspects who broke into a residence in the Sinepuxent Landing community and stole heirloom jewelry.

Last Thursday, MSP troopers from the Berlin barrack responded to a residence in Sinepuxent Landing for a reported burglary. According to the victim, someone had entered the home by unknown means and stole several pieces of heirloom jewelry. There are no suspects at this time and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the MSP Berlin barrack at 410-641-4561.

Hit and Run Arraignment

SNOW HILL – An Ocean City man arrested on the Fourth of July last year after a bizarre sequence of events that started with an alleged break-in at an uptown residence and ended with a hit-and-run accident after which he fled on foot was arraigned on several serious charges last week and faces an April court date.

Curtis Eugene Severe, 47, of Ocean City, cleared the first hurdle in the mountain of charges against him in December when the burglary charge from the July 4 incident was dropped, but Severe was back in Worcester County Circuit Court last week for an initial appearance during which he was arraigned on second-degree assault, driving while impaired, fleeing and eluding police and numerous traffic charges. His court date has been set for April 2.

The sequence of events began to unfold around 1:30 p.m. on July 4 when OCPD officers responded to a hit-and-run accident at 129th Street and Assawoman Drive. A passenger in the car that was struck told police her husband was chasing the hit-and-run driver, later identified as Severe, who left his truck at the scene and fled on foot.

A short time later another officer reported he had Severe in custody. Severe was arrested after the victims positively identified him as the driver in the hit-and-run accident and his vehicle was impounded.

About 45 minutes later, OCPD Officer Jordan Braniff, who had arrested Severe in the hit-and-run case, responded to a reported burglary on Peach Tree Rd. The victim told Braniff someone had broken into his home and stole frozen food from his freezer. The victim’s neighbor was able to provide a description of the burglar, and when the victim heard the description of the suspect, he recognized the suspect as a man who had lived in the residence prior to the victim.

The burglary victim then showed Braniff where suspect now lived and the officer immediately realized it was the same location where he had arrested Severe earlier for the hit-and-run accident. Braniff then drove to the OCPD’s impound lot and discovered the victim’s frozen food still in Severe’s vehicle. Severe was charged with hit-and-run, driving under the influence, driving while suspended, and assault on a police officer for the first incident. He was charged with burglary and theft for the second incident, but that charge was later dropped.

Meds Stolen During Burglary

BISHOPVILLE – Maryland State Police this week are investigating a mid-afternoon burglary at the residence in Bishopville during which prescription medicines were stolen.

Last Thursday, MSP troopers from the Berlin barrack responded to a residence on St. Martin’s Neck Rd. in Bishopville for a reported burglary.

The owner of the property told police he had been gone during the afternoon and when he returned around 4 p.m., he noticed the home had been broken into. Troopers found that the suspects had entered the residence through a rear sliding glass door which had been left unlocked.

Several prescription medicines were stolen from inside the residence. The burglary is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the MSP Berlin barrack at 410-641-3101.