Heroin Bust In OC

OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Police Department’s (OCPD) Narcotics Division was busy last week with the service of a couple of search and seizure warrants resulting in the arrest of five individuals in the resort on drug charges.

Last Wednesday, the OCPD Narcotics Unit, with the assistance of the federal DEA and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team, concluded a three-month heroin distribution investigation with the arrest of Lamont Marvin Smith, 22, of Ocean City. After executing a search warrant at Smith’s home on Jamestown Rd., a total of 11 grams of heroin and a 2004 Ford Taurus were seized.

Smith was charged with three counts each of possession of controlled dangerous substance (CDS) and possession with intent to distribute CDS. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and ordered held on a $250,000 bond before being transferred to the Worcester County Jail.

Three days earlier, the OCPD Narcotics Division made four arrests after serving a search and seizure warrant at a residence on St. Louis Ave. On Feb. 6, OCPD detectives served a warrant on a residence on St. Louis Ave. near 8th Street that resulted in the arrests of Trina M. Bowers, 20; Tyrone M. Finnikin, 20; and Leon Anthony Harvey, 25, all of Ocean City, along with a juvenile.

Each of the suspects was charged with possession of marijuana. They were taken before a District Court Commissioner before being released on their own recognizance.

Cell Tower Wires Swiped

WHALEYVILLE — Maryland State Police this week are looking for the suspect or suspects who stole copper wire from a cell phone tower in Whaleyville on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a cell phone tower on Hall Rd. in Whaleyville for a reported theft. Verizon Wireless employees told police numerous copper wires had been cut from the main tower. The wires were attached to several buildings and were the property of Verizon, Nextel, Connectiv and AT&T.

The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) responded to take over the investigation and began processing the crime scene for potential evidence. Investigators believe the copper wire thefts may be related to similar thefts reported in the area. Anyone with information is urged to contact WCBI at (410) 352-3476.

Pines Fire Accidental

OCEAN PINES — The cause of a residential fire in Ocean Pines last Sunday afternoon has been ruled accidental by the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Around 2 p.m. last Sunday, an occupant of a single-story residence on Ocean Parkway in the Pines reported the fire. The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Company responded and, assisted by the Berlin and Showell Volunteer Fire Companies, quickly extinguished the blaze. Firefighters remained on the scene for two hours.

The residence was occupied at the time, but the residents were able to escape and no injuries were reported. The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the fire and determined it originated near the chimney of the fireplace located in the first-floor living room and quickly extended to the attic of the single-story dwelling. The cause of the fire has been listed as accidental.

Alleged OC Burglar Arrested Again

OCEAN CITY — An Ocean City man arrested last week after resort police were able to connect him to a string of burglaries in Ocean City was arrested again this week and charged with the burglary of a residence outside town limits in late January.

Last week, William K. Freeman, 25, of Ocean City, was arrested after OCPD detectives were able to connect him to a burglary at a downtown pharmacy along with a string of burglaries in the 94th Street area that had occurred between January 29 and Feb. 2. On Monday, Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detectives arrested Freeman again on first-degree burglary and other charges after identifying him as the suspect of a residential break-in on Madison Ave., located on a little sliver of Worcester County outside Ocean City town limits surrounded by Delaware.

During the Jan. 23 break-in, a large amount of cash in a computer bag had been stolen, according to police reports. Freeman was identified as suspect in the Madison Ave. burglary after resort police connected the suspect to a series of burglaries in the 94th Street area dating back to last fall, along with the break-in of the Bailey’s Pharmacy on Philadelphia Ave. near 8th Street.

Last Monday, Ocean City police executed a search and seizure warrant on Freeman’s home on Chesapeake Ave. in Ocean City, during which numerous items reported stolen during the burglaries were recovered including several bottles of prescription painkillers reported stolen during the Bailey’s Pharmacy burglary. Freeman was arrested following the search and later admitted committing the burglaries in the 94th Street area, but said he waited outside while another unknown suspect committed the pharmacy burglary.

Freeman was released last Saturday after posting bond, but was arrested again on Monday after WCBI detectives were able to connect him to the Madison Ave. break-in. As of Wednesday, he was being held in the Worcester County Jail on a $150,000 bond for his latest arrest.

Halloween Diaper Man Gets 30 Days

WEST OCEAN CITY — A Florida man arrested last Halloween after attempting to trick-or-treat in a West Ocean City neighborhood wearing only a diaper and shouting profanities at children pleaded guilty last week to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Around 9:30 p.m. last Halloween, Maryland State Police troopers were assisting with vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the Fox Chapel community in conjunction with traditional Halloween activities when several adults and children alerted them about an adult, later identified as Joseph David DiVanna, 47, of Sarasota, Fla., who was wearing only a diaper and was shouting obscenities at children. According to police reports, DiVanna was also attempting to get candy from several residences in the neighborhood well known for hosting Halloween activities.

The MSP troopers approached DiVanna and found him to be intoxicated. He continued to yell profanities and act in a disorderly manner even after police contacted him, according to police reports. DiVanna was ultimately arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Last Friday, Divanna pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. He was given credit for one day spent in jail following his arrest.

Attempted Murder Arrest

SALISBURY — A Smyrna, Del. man already in custody in Delaware was charged with attempted first-degree murder and other serious charges last week after Salisbury Police were able to connect him to an incident back in 2003.

Last Thursday, Salisbury Police extradited Christopher Charles Ring, 42, of Smyrna, from the Delaware Department of Corrections and charged him with attempted first-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, first-degree burglary, theft and reckless endangerment after identifying him as the suspect in an attack in Salisbury in 2003. According to police reports, in September 2003, Ring allegedly forced his way into a residence on Adams Ave. and assaulted an adult female victim.

The victim was rendered unconscious during the attack and Ring allegedly fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. Ring was later identified as the suspect and a warrant was obtained for his arrest. Last week, Salisbury Police located Ring in prison in Delaware and extradited him to Wicomico County to face charges stemming from the 2003 incident.

Knife Threat During Argument

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was arrested on first-degree assault charges last weekend after allegedly threatening another man with a knife during a dispute about a bill.

Around 2 p.m. last Friday, Salisbury Police responded to an apartment building on Main Street for a reported assault. Salisbury Police met with an adult male victim who told officers he had been assaulted by another occupant of the same building. The investigation revealed the two men had become involved in a argument over a bill that escalated into a physical altercation.

During the altercation, one of the two combatants, identified as David Christopher Hill, 36, of Salisbury, threatened the other man with a knife. A large kitchen knife used in the alleged assault was recovered and seized by police. Hill has been charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and possession of a deadly weapon.

Five Years For Assault Plea

SNOW HILL — A Virginia man arrested in January after first allegedly attacking a female victim and later spitting on a Berlin Police officer pleaded guilty this week in District Court to second-degree assault and was sentenced to five years in jail, all but three of which were then suspended.

Shortly after 11 a.m. on Jan. 12, Berlin Police responded to a residence on Main Street for a report of an individual unwilling to leave the apartment at the request of the tenant. Berlin Police met with the female caller, who told officers the suspect, later identified as Daniel Payne Horseman, Jr., 34, of Quantico, Va., had stayed the night with her and was refusing to leave.

The investigation revealed Horseman had been living with the female victim for an extended period of time. Further investigation revealed a day earlier, Horseman had allegedly thrown the victim to the ground and punched her in the head. Berlin Police observed injuries on the victim and arrested Horseman on a second-degree assault charge.

After being transported to the Berlin Police Department for processing, Horseman caused damage to a wall in the processing area and allegedly spit on a Berlin Police officer. He was then charged with an additional count of second-degree assault along with malicious destruction of property.

On Tuesday in District Court, Horseman pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and was sentenced to five years in jail, two of which were then suspended, netting him a total of three years. Horseman was also placed on probation for six years and fined $300.