Assault Suspect Sought

Assault Suspect Sought
Social Issues Government27

OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) this week is seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect in a reported attempted sexual assault case in the resort last month.

Around 2:45 a.m. on June 26, OCPD officers responded to the area of 42nd Street and Coastal Highway to investigate a reported attempted sexual assault that had just occurred. OCPD officers met with a female victim who told police she was walking home when an unknown male initiated a conversation with her.

A short time later, the unknown male suspect pushed the victim into the bushes and attempted to sexually assault her. During the attack, the victim was able to fight the attacker, causing a significant injury to the suspect’s ear. The suspect is described as a white male, roughly 5’10” and about 170 pounds, estimated to be in his late 20s or early 30s. In addition, it’s believed the suspect would have a visible injury to his ear.

OCPD is asking anyone with information about the incident or suspect to contact Detective Simpson of the OCPD Criminal Investigation Division at 410-520-5349. Those providing information may do so anonymously.

Cops Seeking Counterfeiters

OCEAN CITY — The OCPD this week is warning residents, business owners and employees to be on the lookout for counterfeit currency after vigilant workers at Boardwalk stores detected phony bills.

Last Friday, the OCPD responded to three Boardwalk businesses in reference to two male suspects attempting to pass counterfeit bills. In the first incident, around 7:40 p.m., the suspects attempted to make a small purchase with a counterfeit $20 bill. The employees recognized the counterfeit currency and denied the sale, at which time the suspects fled.

The suspects made two additional attempts at different Boardwalk businesses, one at 10:54 p.m. and the other at 11:10 p.m. In both instances, employees detected the phony bills using a counterfeit pen. The OCPD is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects described as two African-American men. One is described as about 17 years old and roughly 5’7” tall wearing a gray shirt and blue pants at the time of the incidents. The other was also around 17 years old, about 5’8” tall with long, black braided hair pulled into a pony tail.

The OCPD is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the department at 410-723-6600. In addition, the OCPD is urging citizens to closely examine currency. Citizens should be aware of the safety features. The three main security features on the bills include shifting inks on the numbers, security threads, which display the denomination of the currency imbedded in the bill, and the water mark of the main image on the face of the bill located on the right side of the note.

The OCPD is also offering other tips to detect suspicious or counterfeit currency. For example, on a genuine bill, the portrait appears lifelike and stands out distinctly from the background. On the fake bills, the portrait is usually lifeless and flat and details merge into the background, which is often too dark or mottled.

On the genuine bills, the saw tooth points on the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals are clear, distinct and sharp. The counterfeit bills may have uneven, blunt or broke saw tooth points. The serial numbers on real currency have a distinctive style and are evenly spaced and the numbers are printed in the same ink color as the Treasury seal. On the counterfeit bills, the serial numbers may differ in color or shade of ink from the Treasury seal and the numbers may not be uniformly spaced or aligned.

OCPD is asking residents and businesses to contact the department if suspicious currency is located. In addition, the OCPD is reminding businesses and community groups that a crime prevention officer is available to conduct counterfeit awareness presentations upon appointment through the Public Affairs Office. For further information on detecting counterfeit currency, citizens are encouraged to visit the U.S. Secret Service website at www.secretservice.gov.

Assault, Robbery Arrest

BERLIN — A Berlin man was arrested on assault and robbery charges last weekend after police responded to a 911 call hang-up from a residence in Bishopville.

Last Thursday, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Officer responded to a residence in Bishopville after reported 911 hang-up. Upon arrival, deputies met with a victim who reported a suspect later identified as William Randall Lewis, 54, of Berlin, had assaulted her and attempted to steal her purse. The victim told police Lewis had left the scene before their arrival.

A short time later, Lewis was located in Berlin and was arrested by Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies. Lewis was charged with robbery and second-degree assault. He was ordered held on a $10,000 bond.

Attempted Murder Charge

SALISBURY — A Fruitland woman was arrested on attempted first-degree murder and other charges this week after allegedly attacking a Salisbury man with a knife.

Around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Salisbury Police responded to a residence on E. Church Street for a reported burglary. The officers met with a victim, who told police his former girlfriend, identified as Victoria Grant, 51, of Fruitland, had come to his residence and cut three screens with a knife. The victim told police Grant was irate and threatened to kill him.

Grant then entered the residence and allegedly slashed the victim’s back with a knife and struck him in the head with a piece of wood. Grant was arrested and charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, two counts each of first- and second-degree assault, three counts of burglary, reckless endangerment and malicious destruction of property.

Accidental Shooting

SALISBURY — A Salisbury woman was shot in the leg last Friday when her spouse accidentally fired a handgun in a case later deemed unintentional.

Around 10:50 a.m. last Friday, Salisbury Police officers responded to the emergency room at PRMC for a report of a female individual being treated for a gunshot wound. Detectives learned from the victim she was seated in the living room of her residence on Bayshore Court and her spouse was in an adjoining room removing papers from a security box, which also contained the spouse’s personal firearm.

The spouse went to unload the firearm, a .38 Special revolver, and in doing so unintentionally fired a round that went through a door, a wall and an entertainment center before striking the victim in the lower left leg. The victim was transported to PRMC by her spouse. After interviewing the victim, her spouse, the ER physician and meeting with the crime scene investigator, detectives determined the firing of the weapon was unintentional.

Four Years For Assault

SNOW HILL — One of three men arrested last July after kicking and stomping a man in the 45th Street area pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to first-degree assault and disorderly conduct and was sentenced to four years in jail.

Shortly before 3 a.m. last July 4, OCPD responded to the 45th Street area for a reported fight in progress. Upon arrival, OCPD officers met with an injured victim suffering severe wounds to his face, head and neck. The victim was unresponsive to the officers’ questions because of his injuries and was eventually transported to an area hospital.

Police met with the victim’s wife who said her husband had been in a fight with several Hispanic males. During the fight, the victim was pushed to the ground and the suspects repeatedly kicked him in the head, face and neck. The victim’s wife said the beating went on for several minutes before the suspects heard police sirens and fled the area.

The victim’s wife and several witnesses provided police with a description of the suspects and the Acura sedan in which they were traveling. The Acura was spotted a short time later in the 42nd Street area, and when the officers stopped and approached the vehicle, two of the suspects got out and fled on foot despite orders from police to stop.

However, three suspects remained in the vehicle and were detained until the victim’s wife and other witnesses were brought to the scene to identify them as the attackers.

The three suspects, identified as Oscar Segovia, 22, of Hyattsville, Jonathan Lopez, 20, of Bladensburg, and Henry Sorto, 23, of Beltsville, were each arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct for “endangering the victim’s life by kicking him in the head and neck,” according to police reports.

Last week, Lopez pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and disorderly conduct for his role in the attack and was sentenced to four years in jail. Lopez was also fined $500 and was ordered to pay his share of $2,187 in restitution to the victim. In January, Sorto pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and was sentenced to three years in jail, all but one of which was suspended. Sorto was also ordered to pay a share of $2,187 in restitution to the victim. In February, Segovia pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and a pre-sentence investigation was ordered. Segovia is scheduled for sentencing later this month.

Armed Robbers Sought

SALISBURY — Salisbury Police this week are looking for two suspects who robbed two juveniles at gunpoint at their residence on Monday.

Around 9:15 on Monday, Salisbury Police responded to a residence on Spring Ave. for a reported armed robbery. Two juvenile victims told police about two hours earlier, they had been approached by two African-American males at their residence. One of the suspects allegedly produced a small, semi-automatic handgun and demanded money from the victims.

The suspects then forced the victims inside the residence. Once inside, the suspects stole an undetermined amount of money and four pairs of Nike shoes. The suspects are both described as being in their mid 20s and each had close-cropped hair. The armed suspect is described as around 6’ tall with a thin build. The second suspect is described as about 5’7” with a dark complexion. Anyone with information is urged to contact Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165.