One Burglar Arrested, Another Being Sought

One Burglar Arrested, Another Being Sought
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WEST OCEAN CITY – One local man was arrested on burglary and theft charges this week and another is still being sought by local law enforcement officials after a month-long investigation connected them to a string of thefts of stolen fishing equipment in the West Ocean City area.

Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) this week charged Clayton James Entwistle, 19, of Berlin, with burglary and theft charges and as of mid-week were seeking a second suspect, identified as Chad Michael Shipley, 19, also of Berlin, after connecting the pair to a burglary spree involving fishing equipment. After a month-long investigation, NRP officers noticed the two suspects selling fishing equipment out of a backpack on the Harry Kelley (Route 50) Bridge during a routine patrol check.

After further investigation, NRP officers were able to determine the equipment had been reported stolen from a vehicle parked as Sunset Marina and a 45-foot sportfishing boat docked at Fisherman’s Marina in West Ocean City around Oct. 3.

Entwistle was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary, theft over $1,000 and theft from $100 to $1,000. He is currently being held in the Worcester County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.

Meanwhile, as of Wednesday, NRP officers and the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) was still seeking Shipley. He has been charged with fourth-degree burglary and theft over $1,000 as well as charges related to other thefts in the area.

Cop Assault During DUI Stop

WEST OCEAN CITY – A Snow Hill woman, who was passenger in a vehicle stopped for suspicion of drunk driving, was arrested for assaulting an officer in West Ocean City on Wednesday.

Around 1:15 a.m. on Wednesday, a Maryland State Police trooper was assisting another trooper with a suspected DUI stop on Route 50 near Golf Course Rd. in West Ocean City. During the investigation, a passenger in the vehicle, identified as Corey Patrice Johnson, 31, became belligerent and attempted to hit the assisting officer.

When the trooper attempted to place the unruly passenger under arrest, she allegedly kicked the officer numerous times on the shin with high-heeled boots. According to police reports, Johnson was extremely intoxicated at the time. Johnson was charged with second-degree assault and resisting arrest. She was processed and taken before a District Court Commissioner and later released on her own recognizance.

Glen Riddle Burglary

BERLIN – Maryland State Police (MSP) troopers this week are looking for a suspect or suspects who broke into a residence in the Glen Riddle community last weekend.

Shortly before 8 p.m. last Sunday, MSP troopers from the Berlin barrack received a call from Alarm Engineering in reference to a burglary alarm at a residence on Maid at Arms Lane in the Glen Riddle community. Upon arrival, troopers discovered an unknown suspect or suspects had gained entry to the residence after breaking out a rear glass door to a lower level room.

During the investigation, troopers discovered two flat-screen televisions had been taken along with other electronics. A crime scene technician from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) responded to the scene to process the residence and the investigation is ongoing.

Domestic Assault Arrest

WEST OCEAN CITY – A West Ocean City man was arrested on assault charges this week after allegedly striking his wife during a domestic dispute.

Around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a residence on Tudor Rd. in West Ocean City for a reported domestic assault. Upon arrival, the troopers met with a female victim who told police she was assaulted by her husband, identified as Francisco Hernandez.

The troopers observed the victim, who reportedly had bruising and swelling under her left eye. She also had a chunk of her hair pulled out during the altercation. According to police reports, Hernandez was extremely intoxicated at the time. He was arrested and charged with second-degree assault.

Traffic Stop Nets Pot Bust

WEST OCEAN CITY – A Salisbury man was arrested on marijuana possession charges this week after a routine traffic stop in West Ocean City.

Around 1:17 a.m. on Tuesday, a Maryland State Police trooper on routine patrol stopped a 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass on Route 50 at Inlet Isle Lane. Upon making contact with the driver, identified as Henry Lee Coleman, Jr., 20, of Salisbury, the trooper detected the odor of burnt marijuana. A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up an undisclosed amount of marijuana and a glass-smoking device. In addition, a black digital scale was also seized from the vehicle. Coleman was charged with possession of marijuana and was taken before a District Court Commissioner before being released.

Pot Possession Arrest

BERLIN – A Berlin man was arrested on marijuana charges last week after a routine traffic stop.

Around 12:20 p.m. on Nov. 9, a Berlin Police officer on routine patrol stopped a 1987 Buick driven by Armando Silva, 20, of Berlin, near Tripoli Streets. Following the traffic stop, Silva consented to a search of his vehicle, which turned up a smoking device with marijuana residue in the passenger compartment. Silva was arrested and charged with possession of controlled dangerous substance and paraphernalia. He was later released.

Speeding Leads To Dope

BERLIN – An Ocean City woman was arrested on marijuana charges last week after Berlin Police pulled her over for speeding.

Around 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 9, Berlin Police were a conducting stationary assignment on Route 113 near Burley Street when they stopped a 2000 Mitsubishi for speeding. The driver, identified as Jessie Christine Adkins, 24, of Ocean City, consented to a search of her vehicle, which revealed several small bags of marijuana and a glass-smoking device with marijuana residue in it. Adkins was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

No Injuries In Berlin Fire

BERLIN – No injuries were reported during an afternoon residential fire in Berlin on Wednesday.

Around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, a fire was reported at a residence on Newport Farms Drive near the end of Hays Landing Drive off Route 113 in Berlin. First arriving firefighters reported smoke showing from the rear roof of the residence. Firefighters from Berlin, Newark and Ocean Pines responded and quickly extinguished the fire, although they remained on the scene for about two hours. No injuries were reported at the residence.

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office responded and determined the fire ignited while roofing contractors were working on the structure. The cause of the fire has been listed as accidental. Anyone with additional information about the fire is urged to contact Worcester County Deputy Fire Marshal Matt Owens at 410-632-5666, extension 2.

Jail Time For Assault

SNOW HILL – A Berlin man arrested in a convenience store in August after police recognized him as a man wanted on a warrant for an alleged assault back in May pleaded guilty last week in District Court to second-degree assault and was sentenced to a year in jail.

Shortly after 1 p.m. on Aug. 6, Berlin police officers in the area of the Shop Kwick store on Old Ocean City Blvd. spotted a man they recognized as Zahi James Moreno, 28, of Berlin. The officers knew Moreno had an outstanding warrant through the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office for violating probation and he was wanted in connection with an assault case in Worcester County on May 29. The officers approached Moreno and took him into custody until they could confirm the warrant.

About 10 minutes later, the warrant was confirmed and Moreno was placed under arrest. Last week in District Court, Moreno pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and was sentenced to a year in jail. He was also fined $300 and placed on probation for one year.

Pines Burglar Pleads Guilty

SNOW HILL – A Salisbury man arrested in July after Ocean Pines Police were able to connect him to several house break-ins in the community pleaded guilty last week in Worcester County Circuit Court to third-degree burglary and now awaits his fate pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation.

Joseph Glenn Cherone, 43, was arrested in July after Ocean Pines Police were able to connect him to at least residential burglaries in the community over a three-year period from mid-May to early June. A total of five house burglaries occurred in Ocean Pines during the time period and Cherone was directly linked to at least three of them.

Cherone was charged initially with three counts of first-degree burglary, third- and fourth-degree burglary, felony theft and conspiracy to commit felony theft. Last week, Cherone pleaded guilty in Worcester County Circuit Court to one count of third-degree burglary and sentencing was deferred pending the completion of a pre-sentence investigation.

The third-degree burglary charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail. Cherone remains in custody pending the outcome of the pre-sentence investigation. In addition, an evaluation was ordered to determine whether Cherone would benefit for treatment of drug and alcohol abuse. The other charges against Cherone were not prosecuted as a result of the plea bargain.

Bond Review In

Attempted Murder Case

OCEAN CITY – A Grasonville, Md. man arrested in June on attempted murder charges after allegedly stabbing two people during a fight in a downtown Ocean City parking lot appeared for a bail review last week and was released after posting a $50,000 bond.

Just before midnight on June 8, a private citizen informed Ocean City police there was a fight in progress in the parking lot at 7 Atlantic Ave. As officers approached the area of the reported fight, they learned two individuals had been stabbed and the suspect had fled on foot.

The suspect, later identified as Randy Lopez-Medina, 23, of Grasonville, Md., was able to elude OCPD officers after a chase on foot. Ocean City police, with the assistance of the Maryland State Police, broadcasted a description of the suspect and were eventually able to locate Lopez-Medina in the area of 7th Street and the Boardwalk. He was eventually taken into custody without further incident.

The two victims were treated first at the scene by Ocean City EMS and later transported to the hospital. One victim received a slash wound across his upper back and a large wound to his left shoulder. The second victim suffered stab wounds to his chest, possibly puncturing his lung. No updates have been provided about the condition of the victims.

Lopez-Medina faces 11 total charges related to the attacks including two counts each of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and malicious destruction of property. He also faces one count of carrying a dangerous weapon with intent to injure. He appeared for a bond review last week in Circuit Court and had his bail set at $50,000, which he posted and was released.

Guilty Plea Made In

High Speed Chase Case

SNOW HILL – A Frankford, Del. man arrested in June 2006 on several charges including assault on a Berlin Police officer after a hit-and-run and high speed chase that ended in Delaware pleaded guilty last week in Worcester County Circuit Court to second-degree assault and fleeing and eluding police and could face as many as 12 years behind bars.

Around 6:30 p.m. on June 6, 2006, a Silver Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Stefphon Bowen, then 33, of Frankford, Del., ran into the back of a Toyota Tacoma on Route 113 just south of Route 50 in Berlin and kept going. Berlin Police observed the vehicle turn right from Route 113 onto Branch Street heading into Berlin and pursued Bowen.

A Berlin Police officer attempted to block Bowen’s way, but the suspect rammed the officer’s patrol car and kept going. A high-speed pursuit followed along northbound Route 113 as the suspect continued on into Delaware. About six miles after crossing the state line, with several officers in pursuit, Bowen lost control of his vehicle as he attempted to make a right turn onto Swamp Rd. and crashed into a ditch.

Bowen then fled the vehicle and ran away on foot, but was soon apprehended by a Berlin Police officer a short time later. It was later discovered Bowen had cocaine and marijuana in the vehicle. He was also under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.

Three years later, after a successful warrant service on the suspect, Bowen appeared in Circuit Court last week and pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and fleeing and eluding police. The first charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail, while the latter carries a two-year maximum sentence. Sentencing was deferred pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation.