Mushrooms Seized From Car

Mushrooms Seized From Car
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BERLIN – Two juveniles were injured Monday morning when their vehicle overturned on Route 589 at Gray’s Corner Rd. and police inspecting the car after the crash found a bag of psychedelic mushrooms.

Around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, a Maryland State Police trooper was dispatched to the area of Route 589 and Gray’s Corner Rd. for a reported accident. The trooper discovered a white 2004 Jeep Cherokee had overturned, injuring the two occupants including an unidentified juvenile and a local girl. Both were transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.

The trooper conducted an inventory of items in the vehicle in an effort to identify the owner and found a clear plastic baggie containing suspected psilocybin, or psychedelic mushrooms, in the cargo area of the Jeep behind the rear seats. The driver was charged with possession of CDS-not marijuana and was released to his parents at PRMC. 

Boat Accident Injures Teen

WEST OCEAN CITY – A teenager was flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore with serious injuries last weekend after driving a boat under a dock on Herring Creek in West Ocean City and getting thrown into the water.

Around 5 p.m. last Sunday, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) responded to Herring Creek for a reported boating accident. The investigation revealed a 13-year-old boy was operating a personal watercraft in violation of the law when he attempted to approach a dock. According to reports, the juvenile drove the watercraft under the dock and was knocked off into the water.

The juvenile sustained serious injuries in the accident and was flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to Shock Trauma in Baltimore with serious injuries. Brian Jay Dalamater was charged with knowingly allowing a person under 16 years of age to operate a personal watercraft and for failure to possess a valid registration for the vessel. The NRP Special Operation Division is investigating the accident.

Smashed Windows Lead

To Burglary Charges

OCEAN CITY – A Deale, Md. man faces burglary and malicious destruction of property charges this week after allegedly breaking into a pair of midtown condominiums last Sunday.

Around 8:30 p.m. last Sunday, Ocean City Police officers responded to La Mirage on 62nd Street for a reported breaking and entering in progress. Upon arrival, the officers observed the front window of Unit 603 was broken and that it had been opened. While waiting for a K-9 unit to arrive, the first officer heard the sound of glass breaking coming from the 6th floor.

The K-9 officer arrived and noticed the doorknob at 603 had been bent sideways, but the door was still locked and secure. The K-9 officer also tried the door at 604 and found it locked and secured. The K-9 officer announced his presence and warned whoever was inside 603 to come out or he would send the dog in. A short time later, a suspect, later identified as Phillip Kelly Woodell, 38, of Deale, Md., came out of 604 and was immediately taken into custody as police sorted out what was going on in the units.

Woodell asked police why he was being detained and the officer told him he was a suspect in a burglary. Woodell allegedly responded, “I work at the University of Maryland, why would I break into someone’s room.” When asked if he knew where he was right now, Woodell allegedly responded, “I have no idea,” according to police reports. The officers noted in their reports Woodell appeared intoxicated and detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from his person. They also observed a cut on his finger with fresh blood.

A search of the two units revealed the rear sliding glass door of 603 was standing open and that the cabinets in the unit had been opened. A search of 604 revealed the rear sliding glass door had been shattered and the cabinets and refrigerator were standing open. Police observed a small table on the balcony of 604 had been overturned and they believe the table was used to smash the sliding door. They also discovered an overturned Coke can on the balcony as well as sunflower seeds, which would further connect Woodell to the break-ins later.

Prior to arriving on the scene, one of the officers was notified by dispatch that a yellow car pulled up to the rear of the building earlier. The officer looked and discovered a yellow Mitsubishi with Virginia tags with a University of Maryland parking sticker on the back windshield. The officer also discovered several sunflower seeds scattered on the driver’s seat and in the center console. A background check on the vehicle discovered it was registered to a Phillis Ann Woodell of South Riding, Va. Phillip Woodell was arrested and charged with two counts of breaking and entering and three counts of malicious destruction of property.

Natty Boh And Resisting Arrest

OCEAN CITY – A Monkton man was charged with resisting arrest last Saturday after an OCPD officer questioned him about drinking an open beer on the Boardwalk.

Around 6:45 p.m. last Saturday, an OCPD officer on routine patrol on the Boardwalk near 1st Street observed a man later identified as Michael Degen Rueter, 18, drinking a can of National Bohemian beer. When the officer asked Rueter how old he was, the suspect responded 21, but when asked his date of birth, Rueter told the officer he was born on June 12, 1990, which only made him 18 years old.

The officer informed Rueter he was under arrest, but the suspect did not go quietly, according to police reports. He struggled with the arresting officers and had to be brought down to the ground before he could be restrained. Rueter was charged with public consumption and resisting arrest.

City Bus Fight

OCEAN CITY – Two individuals were charged with resisting arrest last weekend after an altercation on an Ocean City bus.

Around 12:35 a.m. last Sunday, OCPD officers were dispatched to assist with a reported fight on a Town of Ocean City bus. After officers arrived and separated the parties involved in the fight on the bus, several of the parties remained agitated and resisted police attempts to calm the disturbance. For example, a seasonal officer had to tell a female suspect, later identified as Hortencia Margareta Herrera, 23, of Bowie, several times to back away from the officers investigating the situation. Another suspect with a camera, identified as Leroy Francis Jones, 23, of Suitland, repeatedly walked within two feet of the officers conducting the investigation and was repeatedly told to back off.

Jones was instructed to go to a place several feet away, but repeatedly attempted to walk past the officers with his camera. According to police reports, Jones was told at least six times to wait on an area of the public sidewalk away from the investigation but continued to force the issue. When officers attempted to handcuff Jones, he resisted and it took several police to eventually get him handcuffed.

As police were struggling with Jones, Herrera grabbed Jones’ arm in an attempt to prevent him from being cuffed. Eventually, she was pulled away and taken into custody. According to police reports, Herrera appeared intoxicated and an odor of alcohol emanated from her person. When she was handcuffed, she immediately began urinating, according to police reports.

After his arrest, Jones was seated on a curb to wait for a prisoner transport when he began hurling racial expletives toward the officers, causing several people in the area to come out on their balconies to witness the disturbance. Herrera was charged with obstructing and hindering and interfering with a lawful arrest. Jones was charged with obstructing and hindering and disorderly conduct.

No Ticket For Pot

OCEAN CITY – A Baltimore man was arrested on marijuana possession charges last weekend after asking police to just write him a ticket for the infraction.

Around 11:30 p.m. last Saturday, an OCPD officer on bike patrol in the downtown area observed a man, later identified as Kyle Vincent Brown, 23, of Baltimore, sitting in the grass near an alley in the area of Wilmington Ave. and 2nd Street. The officer observed Brown taking a drag from a marijuana cigarette. The officer approached Brown and ordered him to place the marijuana cigarette on the ground and the suspect complied. He was then handcuffed and placed under arrest for possession of marijuana.

Brown was read his rights and told police he understood them. The officer asked Brown if he had any other marijuana or drugs on him and he replied he did not. Brown then said “I’m leaving tomorrow, can’t I just get a ticket for this? I’ll pay the ticket,” according to police reports. He was informed he could not get a ticket and was arrested and charged with possession.

Open Container Leads

To Weapons Charge

OCEAN CITY – A Westminster man was arrested on a weapons charge last weekend after resort police questioned him about an open container of beer.

Around 10:30 p.m. last Saturday, an OCPD officer on bicycle patrol observed a man later identified as Bryan Edward Roulette, 21, of Westminster, holding an open bottle of Corona while standing on a public street in the area of Wilmington Lane and 2nd Street. The officer informed Roulette it was illegal to be carrying an open container of alcohol on the street and had him sit on the curb while he checked the status of the driver’s license.

When the officer returned with the identification, he asked Roulette if he had any drugs or weapons on him, to which Roulette responded he had a knife in his pocket. The officer searched Roulette and found a switchblade knife in his right front pocket where Roulette told him it would be. Roulette was arrested and charged with possession of a concealed dangerous weapon.

Sting Nets Two Pot Busts

OCEAN CITY – Two men were arrested on drug charges last weekend after selling pot to OCPD undercover narcotics agents on the Boardwalk.

Last Saturday, two OCPD undercover officers were working on the Boardwalk attempting to purchase controlled dangerous substances from individuals. While walking on the Boardwalk in the area of 4th Street at around 11:20 p.m., the officers heard a man, later identified as Ontavius White, 20, of Odenton, asking another man if he was looking for “trees,” a widely known slang term for marijuana. At the time, White was sitting next to another man later identified as Cory Ridolfi, 19, of Glen Burnie.

The officer approached White and Ridolfi and asked them if they had any “tree.” According to police reports, White looked at Ridolfi and said “Yeah, we can hook you up all day, everyday,” and Ridolfi said “it’s in the whip.”

White told the two undercover officers to follow him to his car and they began to walk with him north on the Boardwalk toward 5th Street. During the walk, the officers engaged in a conversation with White about CDS. Ridolfi and White asked the officers how much pot they were looking to buy and the officers responded they would take a gram or whatever they could get. They ultimately agreed to purchase a gram for $15.

At that point, an unidentified man joined the group, and White and Ridolfi ran across Baltimore Ave. before the officers could safely cross. They headed north on Wilmington Ave. The officers followed and White and Ridoli emerged from Wilmington Lane a short time later. The deal was consummated with the officers handing over $15 in cash from the OCPD confidential funds, which had been photocopied earlier to record the serial numbers. Uniformed officers then arrived on the scene and arrested Ridolfi and White for conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Fugitive Apprehended

BERLIN – A routine seat belt surveillance operation resulted in drug and traffic charges this week.

While monitoring traffic for seat belt violations during “Click It or Ticket” month, a Berlin Police officer observed a green Honda Accord traveling north on Route 113 with its operator not wearing his seatbelt. During the subsequent traffic stop, the operator, later found to be Terrance F. Collins, 45, of Berlin, gave the officer a false name and date of birth.

Police finally obtained his true identity and found his license to be suspended in two states and wanted in Maryland for the past two years for drug and traffic charges. Collins was taken into custody without incident and was being held at the Worcester County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

Handgun Seized

BERILN – A motor vehicle collision investigation early yesterday morning revealed one motorist was unlawfully carrying a loaded weapon.

At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, Maryland State Police responded to the area of Route 113 and Cropper Island Road for an accident. The investigation revealed a loaded 9 mm handgun inside the left saddle bag of a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle involved in the accident.

Deborah Drew of Mulberry, Fla. Claimed ownership of the handgun, according to police reports. Police said the Kel-Tec, semi-automatic pistol had a full magazine of seven rounds inside the weapon with a found chambered. She did not possess a valid permit to carry a handgun in Maryland.

Drew and her husband, David, were transported to PRMC for their injuries sustained in the accident. Further investigation found David Drew to be “at fault” in the collision. He was issued citations and released without further criminal charges stemming from the firearm possession.

Assault, Arson Threat

At WOC Campground

BERLIN – A Chestertown man with a history of violence and arson was arrested last week and charged with assault and threat of arson after attacking his parents at a West Ocean City campground.

Shortly after 4 p.m. last Saturday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to Frontier Town in reference to a reported fight in progress. Upon arrival, troopers made contact with the victims who advised their son, later identified as Brian Keith Neal, 32, of Chestertown, assaulted them and became violent after an argument occurred.

The female victim told police Neal grabbed her and threw her to the ground. Her husband, Neal’s father, then intervened, but was punched in the face by his son, according to police reports. Neal continued to use profanities toward his parents in the presence of his wife and children. At one point, Neal threatened to burn his parents’ house down, a statement that was made in the presence of police officers.

Neal was ultimately arrested and charged with threat of arson, two counts of second-degree assault on both of his parents and disorderly conduct. The investigation revealed Neal is currently on probation for a first-degree arson conviction in another state. Neal was taken before a District Court Commissioner and ordered held on a $75,000 bond.

Probation, Fine For

Pot Grow Operation

OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City teen arrested in April after a narcotics investigation revealed an indoor marijuana growing operation in his residence pleaded guilty last week to possession of pot and was fined and placed on probation.

On April 17, the OCPD narcotics unit concluded a one-month investigation with the arrest of Daniel Paul Schaefer, 19. The narcotics unit executed a search and seizure warrant at Schaefer’s residence on Old Landing Rd. and found the suspect inside smoking marijuana. A search of Schaefer’s room revealed marijuana, numerous items of paraphernalia, “owe” sheets, digital scales, packaging materials and a small, indoor marijuana growing operation.

The indoor grow operation included functioning high intensity light bulbs over marijuana plants, the largest of which was over two-feet tall and fully mature. Schaefer was arrested and charged with manufacturing marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana and crack cocaine and possession of paraphernalia.

Last week in District Court, Schaefer pleaded guilty to one count of possession of marijuana and the other charges against him were not prosecuted. He was fined $300 and placed on probation for one year.

Home Invasion Case

Headed to Circuit

SNOW HILL – A Snow Hill man arrested in April for an alleged armed home invasion in the county seat in March appeared in District Court for a preliminary hearing last week and had his case forwarded to Circuit Court.

Shortly after 2 a.m. on March 30, Snow Hill Police responded to a residence on Ross Street for a reported home invasion. The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) was called to the scene and conducted a forensic and criminal investigation. The investigation revealed two male suspects forcibly entered the victim’s residence and attempted to rob the victim. The victim was assaulted and was later transported to PRMC in Salisbury with a severe laceration to the forehead.

The investigation identified two suspects including Kendall Garzette Norman, 24, of Snow Hill, who has been charged with first-degree burglary, assault, reckless endangerment and armed robbery. The second suspect has not been identified. Norman appeared in District Court last week and had his case forwarded to Circuit Court.

Probation For Drug Bust

OCEAN CITY – One of three local people arrested in March after a month-long investigation into drug distribution in the resort area pleaded guilty this week to possession of marijuana and was fined and placed on probation.

Sara Elizabeth Morells, 19, of Ocean City, appeared in District Court this week to face drug charges following her arrest in March. The OCPD narcotics unit concluded a month-long investigation into drug distribution in March with three arrests including Morells, Donnell Taylor, 27, and Patrice Shelton, 18, all of Ocean City.

Morells and Taylor were both charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, while Shelton was charged with possession of marijuana and hydrocodone.

During the arrests, OCPD officers seized roughly 182 grams of marijuana, four hydrocodone pills and a 1999 Jeep Cherokee. This week, Morells pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and was fined $300 and placed on probation for one year. Taylor had his case forwarded to Circuit Court last month and has not yet appeared for trial, while Shelton is scheduled to appear in District Court on June 15.

Some Cruisin’ Numbers In

OCEAN CITY – The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office this week issued a report on its activity during the Cruisin’ event two weeks ago in and around the resort area.

Thousands of classic cars arrived in the resort area for the annual spring event during the weekend of May 15-17 and most behaved themselves for the most part although there was a significant amount of police activity associated with the event. Multiple law enforcement agencies cooperate to police the annual event, one of the busiest of the spring season. This week, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department released its figures for Cruisin’ week. The Sheriff’s Office issued 192 traffic citations and 115 traffic warnings. Sheriff’s deputies made 10 arrests and assisted the OCPD 90 times on various calls for service.