Speeding Stop Nets Drug Bust

Speeding Stop Nets Drug Bust

BISHOPVILLE — A Smyrna, Del. man was arrested on numerous drug charges after a routine speeding stop in Bishopville last weekend.

Around 4:40 p.m. last Saturday, a Maryland State Police trooper pulled over a vehicle on Back Creek Rd. in Bishopville. Upon making contact with the vehicle, the trooper detected the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the passenger compartment. In addition, the trooper learned the driver, identified as Kevin Jordan Barnes, 21, of Smyrna, was driving on a suspended license through Delaware. Barnes was arrested at that point for driving on a suspended license.

During a search incident to the arrest, two clear plastic baggies fell from Barnes’ right pants leg. One bag contained 18 individually wrapped bags of cocaine, while the other contained 34 oxycodone pills. A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up $3,095 in currency. Barnes was charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and oxycodone. He was ordered to be held in the Worcester County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Suspects’ Identity Sought

BERLIN — Maryland State Police this week are working with federal officials to determine the identity of two individuals taken into custody following a routine traffic stop near Bishopville last Saturday.

Shortly after 3 a.m. last Saturday, Maryland State Police troopers on patrol in the area of Route 113 and Peerless Rd. in Bishopville stopped a vehicle for speeding. The traffic stop resulted in the arrest of the driver on suspicion of driving under the influence. However, the driver failed to provide a name, date of birth of home address of record.

Meanwhile, while one trooper was dealing with the driver, another trooper observed the passenger throwing open cans of cold beer out of the window. The trooper approached the vehicle and attempted to identify the passenger, who allegedly provided a fictitious name. The passenger, described as Hispanic, then fled across the highway but was soon captured by the troopers.

After the passenger was arrested, a fake identification from North Carolina was found on his person. When questioned further, the suspect continued to provide false identification information. The investigation is ongoing with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency now involved.

Alleged Burglary Suspect Extradited

BERLIN — A Pittsville man was arrested on theft and burglary charges last week after Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detectives were able to connect him to as many as eight burglaries in the county last year.

WCBI detectives handled roughly eight separate burglary investigations throughout early 2010. The burglaries were linked together during the investigation and connected a suspect, later identified as Brad David Donoway, 31, of Pittsville. Donoway had since been arrested in Delaware on an unrelated burglary charge and has been incarcerated since.

Last Friday, Donoway was extradited back to Worcester County where he is being charged with 30 counts of burglary and theft related to the string of burglaries. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and ordered held on a $250,000 bond.

Armed Robbery Suspect Sought

SALISBURY — Salisbury Police this week are looking for the suspect who allegedly robbed at gunpoint a female victim who offered her a ride.

Around 12:30 p.m. last Thursday, Salisbury Police met with a female victim who said she had been robbed at gunpoint minutes earlier. The victim told police she picked up a female for the purpose of giving her a ride in the area of Smith Street. During the ride, the suspect allegedly produced a handgun and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the victim.

The suspect then exited the vehicle and fled on foot in the direction of Waverly Drive. The victim was not injured during the armed robbery, according to police reports. The suspect is described as a Hispanic female, between 20-22 years old, roughly 5’2” with a small build, straight dark hair and freckles. At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing a black “puffy” jacket, light blue jeans, a green knit cap and a dark scarf.

Salisbury Police are urging anyone who might have witnessed the incident or knows something about the suspect to contact SPD at (410) 548-3165, or contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.

Jail Time For Grinch

SNOW HILL — A local man arrested last year for breaking into a residence and stealing hundreds of dollars’ worth of wrapped Christmas presents pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to first-degree burglary and was sentenced to five years in jail, all but one of which was suspended.

On Dec. 7, 2010, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a reported residential burglary on Critcher Rd. in Pocomoke. The investigation revealed a suspect or suspects had gained entry to the residence by prying open an exterior door and left the area after taking an estimated $43,000 in personal property. Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detectives were called to the scene, but no suspect was immediately identified.

Maryland State Police troopers were dispatched to the residence on Brantley Rd. in the same area for another residential burglary. The victim arrived at his residence and observed three unidentified men walking out of his house carrying his wrapped Christmas presents as well as other personal property.

While the victim was on the phone with police, the three suspects fled the area. MSP troopers, along with Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies and Pocomoke Police officers, searched the area for the suspects and located one, identified as LeAnder Dynte Ward, 18, of Pocomoke. WCBI detectives were able to connect Ward to both break-ins.

Last week in Circuit Court, Ward pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary and was sentenced to five years in jail, of which four years were suspended. He was placed on probation for three years upon release and was ordered to pay $,1200 in combined restitution to two victims.

Disabled Vehicle Nets Weed Bust

BERLIN — A Newark, Del. man was arrested on marijuana possession charges last week after a Maryland State Police (MSP) trooper stopped to help him with a disabled vehicle on Route 50 near Berlin.

Shortly after midnight last Friday, MSP troopers were patrolling on Route 50 when they observed a disabled vehicle on the shoulder of the westbound side of the highway near Riddle Lane. The troopers stopped to check on the welfare of the vehicle and its occupants and made contact with the driver, identified as Chad Randolph Greener, 31, of Newark, Del., who was outside the vehicle with other individuals.

Upon contact, MSP troopers detected an odor of burnt marijuana coming from the individuals on the side of the road. During a subsequent search of the individuals and the vehicle, an undetermined amount of marijuana was found on Greener’s person. He was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. He was taken before a court commissioner and later released on his own recognizance.

Pot Possession, Resisting Arrest Nets 15 months

SNOW HILL — One of two Pocomoke men arrested last November on drug and assault charges after getting busted with a significant amount of marijuana pleaded guilty last week to possession and resisting arrest and was sentenced to four years in jail, most of which was suspended in favor of probation and a fine.


On Nov. 18, 2010, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team, along with the department’s canine and patrol divisions, conducted an aggressive criminal enforcement initiative in Pocomoke. Targeted during the initiative were various apartment complexes in the area known for drug distribution operations after recent intelligence information was obtained.


While working as part of the initiative, two Worcester County detectives conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation. While obtaining identification information from the driver, the detectives observed the front seat passenger, identified as Jarrell Roberts, 24, of Pocomoke, and a rear seat passenger, identified as Roderick Collier, 20, also of Pocomoke, moving furtively in the vehicle.


An additional K-9 unit was brought to the scene to conduct a scan of the vehicle and its occupants. As Roberts exited the vehicle, a Worcester County detective patted him down and discovered a gallon-size plastic freezer bag hidden in the front of his pants containing 20 individually wrapped clear plastic baggies of suspected marijuana along with a digital scale.


During his subsequent arrest, Roberts allegedly resisted and assaulted the arresting officer. A pat down of the remaining occupants was conducted and a K-9 scan of the vehicle resulted in a positive alert for the presence of additional controlled dangerous substances. During the search, Collier allegedly yelled to the arresting officers that the marijuana found on Roberts belonged to him.


Collier was then arrested and a search revealed a plastic bag containing 17 individual wrapped bags of marijuana on his person. Collier was also found to be in possession of a digital scale containing marijuana and cocaine residue.


Last week in Circuit Court, Roberts pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and second-degree assault. For the first charge, he was sentenced to two years in jail, all but four months of which were suspended. For the latter, Roberts was sentenced to two months in jail, netting him a total of six months. This week, Collier pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and resisting arrest. He was sentenced to four years for the first charge, all of which but one year was suspended. For the resisting arrest conviction, Collier was sentenced to three additional months in jail.

Gunshots Investigated

SALISBURY — Salisbury Police this week are investigating gunfire at a nightclub early last Friday morning that shot hit the trunk and shot out the rear windshield.

Around 1:50 a.m. last Friday, Salisbury Police on routine patrol hear a single gunshot that originated in the area of Roland Street. As the officers responded to the area, they observed a vehicle driving away at a high rate of speed. Salisbury Police officers stopped the vehicle a short time later and observed it had been struck in the trunk area and a portion of the rear window had been broken out.

The occupants of the vehicle were unable to provide any information about the shooting or a possible suspect. The occupants did tell police the vehicle had been shot in the parking lot of Gully’s Nightclub on Roland Street. Salisbury Police detectives determined there were a number of potential witnesses in the club’s parking lot at the time of the incident.

Salisbury Police are asking anyone that may have witnessed the shooting to contact the department at 410-548-3165, or Crime Stoppers at 410-548-1776.

Reserve Officer of Year Named

OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Police Department last week recognized Ann Gough as the 2010 Reserve Officer the Year.

Gough has been a member of the OCPD Reserve Officer program since 2003, serving over eight years of dedicated service to her community. During 2010, Gough distinguished herself by contributing nearly 400 hours in support of public safety through various events including parades and festivals, Winterfest of Lights, the Ocean City Air Show and numerous others. Gough also assisted with other public safety initiatives including, for example, the Baltimore Ave. pedestrian crossing detail. Gough also spent numerous hours assisting the services division by answering phones at the front desk and helping the public affairs office and the Office of the Chief on numerous occasions.