SNOW HILL — An Ocean City man, arrested in February for a spree of break-ins from one end of the resort to the other over a span of several months, pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to four counts of first-degree burglary and was sentenced to 13 years in jail, all but 18 months of which was suspended in favor of probation and thousands of dollars in restitution to his many victims.
William Keith Freeman II, 25, appeared in Circuit Court last week to face 35 total charges from first-degree burglary to theft for a spree of break-ins throughout the resort beginning last fall. Freeman pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree burglary and was also placed on five years of probation upon his release and ordered to pay nearly $35,000 in restitution to six victims, including nearly $26,000 to a single victim.
In February, with the help of tips from a few anonymous concerned citizens, the OCPD started building a case against Freeman and a string of residential burglaries and the break-in at a downtown pharmacy. During the investigation, detectives learned Freeman had allegedly been breaking into houses in the 94th Street area not far from where he lived. Detectives also learned from witnesses Freeman was allegedly connected to a break-in at Bailey’s Pharmacy a week earlier.
Witnesses told police Freeman was in possession of about 1,000 Vicoden pills allegedly stolen from the pharmacy. The detective knew from earlier reports the pharmacy burglary had been reported on Jan. 31.
Through the investigation, OCPD detectives were able to connect Freeman to a string of residential burglaries in the 94th Street area dating back to last fall.
Around the same time, a unit at the Nassau Village had been burglarized, along with a residence on Chesapeake Ave. Nothing was taken during the latter, but the door had been pried open and it appeared someone had slept in a bed in the master bedroom. During another burglary linked to Freeman back on Nov. 19, a different residence on Chesapeake Drive was broken into and a painting and some cash was stolen.
While police were investigating those burglaries, a different resident on Chesapeake Drive told police two beach cruiser-style bicycles were stolen in mid-October. The bikes were later found on the south side of Freeman’s residence.
Freeman later admitted committing the burglaries at the various residences in the 94th Street area. He also admitted driving another individual to the Bailey’s Pharmacy break-in, but told police he waited outside during the commission of the crime.