Cops Assaulted In Drug Bust

Cops Assaulted In Drug Bust
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OCEAN CITY – A Dagsboro, Del. woman was arrested on assault and drug charges last week after allegedly kicking an Ocean City police officer following a traffic stop.

Around 2:20 a.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City police officer on marked vehicle patrol in the area of 127th Street observed a vehicle leaving the North Bay Shopping Center drive over a curb and onto a concrete island before getting back in the travel lane of the parking lot. The officer noted in his report the vehicle nearly hit other parked cars.

The officer stopped the Honda and called for a K-9 unit to do a narcotics sweep on the vehicle. A short time later, the K-9 unit arrived and performed an exterior scan of the vehicle, which resulted in a positive alert for controlled dangerous substances. A physical search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a rock of suspected crack cocaine wrapped in a paper receipt in a purse in the front passenger seat area. A wallet in the same purse included several pieces of identification for Kristen M. Rogers, 28, who was a passenger in the car.

Rogers was placed under arrest for suspicion of possession of crack cocaine. Once she had been placed in handcuffs, she allegedly kicked the OCPD officer standing behind her in a forceful way and second-degree assault charges were tacked on. Another officer transported Rogers to police headquarters in an unmarked car for processing.

After removing Rogers, the officer inspected his vehicle and discovered a plastic bag containing a burnt cigarette and suspected marijuana. The officer noted in his report the Baggie was not there at the start of his shift and Rogers was the only other person to be transported in his vehicle. Additional charges of possession of marijuana were then added to the assault and crack cocaine possession charges.

WOC Burglary Probed.

WEST OCEAN CITY – Maryland State Police detectives this week are investigating a reported burglary at a West Ocean City residence early last Sunday morning during which a television and video game were stolen.

Around 12:45 a.m. last Sunday, MSP troopers from the Berlin barrack responded to a residence on Golf Course Rd. in West Ocean City for a reported burglary. The investigation revealed an unknown suspect or suspects had gained access to the home and stole a flat-screen TV and a Sony Playstation 3. The victims were not home at the time of the burglary. Anyone with information about the break-in is urged to call the MSP Berlin barrack at 410-641-3101.

Juveniles Busted With Pot

BERLIN – Three local juveniles were arrested on marijuana possession charges last week after a routine traffic stop in Berlin.

Around 11:30 p.m. last Friday, Berlin police officers were conducting a routine traffic patrol in the area of Bay Street when they stopped a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a speeding violation. When officers made contact with the driver, they noticed the suspect, a 17-year-old juvenile from Berlin, acting extremely nervous, according to police reports.

The officers also detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The driver and two other juveniles, both of Berlin, were detained while the vehicle was searched. During the subsequent search, Berlin Police officers discovered multiple items of paraphernalia and marijuana in the vehicle and on the person of one of the juveniles.

The driver and two additional juveniles were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. Two of the juveniles were released to their parents, while a third was detained by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.

Protective Order Violation

WEST OCEAN CITY – A Laurel, Del. man was arrested for violating a protective order last weekend after a routine traffic stop in West Ocean City.

Around 12:45 a.m. last Saturday, a Maryland State Police trooper stopped a vehicle on Route 50 at Inlet Isle Rd. in West Ocean City for speeding. A routine background check of the license and registration revealed the driver, identified as Michael Davidson, 45, of Laurel, had an active protective order against him. The protective order was filed by Sandra Horton, 37, of Selbyville, who was the passenger in the vehicle.

The protective order stated Davidson was to have no contact with Horton, but she was a passenger in his vehicle. As a result, Davidson was arrested for violating a protective order. He was taken before a court commissioner and released on his own recognizance.

Jilted Lover Smashes Door

OCEAN CITY – A Stockton man was arrested on malicious destruction of property charges in Ocean City on New Year’s Eve after allegedly breaking into the condo in which he was staying after she reportedly left a arty with another man.

Around 4:15 a.m. on Jan. 1, Ocean City police officers responded to a residence on 120th Street for a reported breaking and entering in progress. Upon arrival, the officers discovered a sliding glass door had been smashed out and the screen door in front of it lying on the deck. The officers observed a man later identified as John Robley Rantz, 29, of Stockton, standing in the living room.

According to police reports, Rantz stared at the officers for a moment before running into a nearby bedroom. He then returned to the living room area. The officers drew their service pistols at Rantz and ordered him to the ground, but he did not comply and made a movement to suggest he was about to run into to bedroom again. The officers then forced Rantz to the floor and handcuffed him. According to police reports, Rantz had a cut on his hand and there was a substantial amount of broken glass on the floor. They also found a lip gloss that Rantz allegedly used to draw on a mirror in the kitchen.

After Rantz was detained, he fell asleep on the carpet and the officers had to shake him to wake him back up. According to police reports, Rantz told the officers he had been at the Paddock Night Club but couldn’t remember how he got back to 120th Street. He also told police he broke into the unit because he was angry with his girlfriend, who had left the club with another man. Rantz told police he and his girlfriend had been staying at the unit on 120th Street for the prior two days.

When asked about the incident, Rantz reportedly told police, “I’m mad because she [expletive deleted] me over,” and when asked if he broke the sliding glass door, Rantz allegedly told police “probably.” The officer then asked Rantz if his actions were the result of a bad night, he allegedly said, “Yeah, it is.” He told police it wasn’t fair he took his girlfriend out on New Year’s Eve and spent all of his money on her, only to have her leave with someone else.

Rantz was arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property. The cost of replacing the glass door is estimated at $550-$700.

Stet Docket For Tough Luck Dealer

OCEAN CITY – A local man arrested in April on drug possession and distribution charges after getting pulled over for a routine seatbelt violation had the charges against him placed on the stet, or inactive, docket in Circuit Court last week.

Charles Joseph McMillen, 26, of Ocean City, and another suspect, Sarah Elizabeth Bunyea, 25, of Selbyville, Del., were arrested in April on various drug charges after a routine traffic stop. McMillen appeared in Circuit Court last week and had his case placed on the stet docket. Earlier this year, Bunyea pleaded guilty to possession of controlled dangerous substance and was fined $1,000, around $900 of which was then suspended, and placed on probation for two years.

Around 8:15 a.m. on April 28, 2009, an Ocean City police officer on uniformed school bus patrol observed a green Acura with a female driver and a male passenger who was not wearing a seatbelt. The officer approached the vehicle on the passenger side and made contact with the male passenger, later McMillen and told him why he had pulled them over. McMillen said the couple had just pulled out on the highway and he had forgotten to put his seatbelt back on.

After he had written the citation and given it to McMillen, the officer told the couple they were free to leave, but he noticed they were acting strangely as if they were hiding something. He decided to return to the vehicle and question the individuals further. The officer asked Bunyea if there were any illegal guns, knives, drugs or weapons in the vehicle to which she replied no. When he asked Bunyea if he could search the car, she consented.

McMillen was asked to stand near the back of the vehicle during the search, which turned up nothing illegal. The officer then asked Bunyea if she had any illegal weapons or drugs on her person to which she replied no. The officer asked Bunyea if a female officer could search her person and she consented while handing the officer her purse. In her purse, the officers found one labeled prescription bottle and another prescription bottle that was not labeled. In the unlabeled bottle, the officers discovered nine individually wrapped plastic baggies of suspected powder cocaine packaged in such a way as to indicate distribution.

At that point, Bunyea was taken into custody. After agreeing to speak with the officer without an attorney, Bunyea told police the drugs in her purse were cocaine. When asked if the drugs were for personal use, Bunyea said no. Finally, when asked if she was buying and/or selling cocaine, Bunyea said, “No, but he is,” indicating McMillen. She also said, “The cocaine is his. He told me to put it in my purse as soon as you pulled us over. It’s not mine.”

When asked if she knew McMillen had cocaine on him, she told police, “Yeah, I knew he had it and didn’t want it.” McMillen was then arrested, but was not as forthcoming with the police as Bunyea was. However, he did yell some things to her from about 30 feet away including “I’m not getting you out on this one.” McMillen then told the arresting officer, “I’m just working, man,” and “I just had a little bit of [expletive deleted] and I’m trying to make some money,” according to police reports.

Probation, Fine For Bus Fight

OCEAN CITY – The second of two individuals arrested in May on various charges after a fight on an Ocean City bus was found guilty last week in Circuit Court of disorderly conduct and was fined and placed on probation for one year.

Around 12:35 a.m. on May 24, 2009, 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.

Last week in Circuit Court, Jones was found guilty of disorderly conduct and was fined $250 and placed on probation for one year. In August, Hererra was found guilty of disorderly conduct and was fined $300 and placed on probation.

Boating While Impaired

Nets Fine, Probation

OCEAN CITY – A Baltimore man was arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated in August after a passenger on his vessel fell overboard pleaded guilty last week to operating a vessel while impaired and was placed on probation for one year and fined $400.

Shortly after 11 p.m. on Aug. 8, 2009, Maryland Natural Resources Police responded to an area in the Isle of Wight Bay for a possible person in the water. When they arrived on the scene, NRP officers learned the Coast Guard had been able to recover the uninjured person from the water.

NRP officers were then able to contact the vessel’s operator, identified as Frank Windsor, 52, of Baltimore. According to police reports, Windsor displayed signs of being under the influence of alcohol. After a series of field sobriety tests were administered, Windsor was arrested and charged with operating a vessel while intoxicated, operating a vessel under the influence and negligent operation of a vessel.