Pot Paraphernalia At Boardwalk Stores

Pot Paraphernalia At Boardwalk Stores
Social Issues Government21

OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) last month busted two Boardwalk businesses for allegedly displaying and selling drug paraphernalia.

On Aug. 24 and again on Aug. 30, OCPD patrol officers discovered two different Boardwalk businesses selling smoking devices fashioned in a manner to smoke controlled dangerous substances (CDS) and seized the illegal items. At the Shore Side Shop on Aug. 24, the alleged CDS smoking devices were discovered by police in a box on the floor behind the counter.

On Aug. 30 at NY Piercing, the suspected CDS smoking devices were observed in a large glass case. At the time of the discovery, the smoking devices were found in close proximity to various items that promoted the use of marijuana including ashtrays, T-shirts and statues all displaying pot leaves. During the investigation, police consulted with the Worcester County State’s Attorney and determined the items were in violation of state law prohibiting the sale of such CDS paraphernalia.

As a result, on Aug. 30-31, OCPD officers made applications for charges of possession and distribution of CDS paraphernalia for the two business owners, identified as Benjamin Darmony, 48, of Berlin, who owns Shore Side Shop, and Claude Darmony, 23, of Ocean City, who owns NY Piercing. Ocean City Police had previously met with both owners in June and furnished them with a 15-page packet containing the Maryland Criminal Law Article governing CDS with explanations and examples of what constituted CDS paraphernalia.

Purse Swiper Nabbed

WEST OCEAN CITY — A West Ocean City woman was arrested on theft charges last week after allegedly swiping a woman’s purse containing roughly $1,200 in cash and three checks from a grocery store in West Ocean City.

Around 5:30 p.m. last Wednesday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to the Food Lion on Route 611 in West Ocean City for a reported theft of a woman’s purse containing around $1,200 in cash and three checks totaling $432. After an extensive investigation, the identity of the suspect was revealed as Martha A. Jordan, 55, of West Ocean City.

The investigation also revealed Jordan lived near the scene of the crime. MSP troopers responded to Jordan’s residence and made contact with the suspect. During an interview, Jordan admitted taking the purse and returned the purse and all of its contents. Jordan was arrested and charged with theft over $1,000. The purse and its contents were returned to the victim.

Armed Home Invaders Sought

SALISBURY — Salisbury Police this week are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspects in an armed home invasion early last Sunday morning.

Shortly after midnight last Sunday, Salisbury Police responded to South Division Street for a reported home invasion and robbery. Detectives learned the victims were sitting on the porch of their residence when they were approached by two African-American males who forced them into the home at gunpoint. The suspects then stole electronics and other property before fleeing the scene.

During the investigation, detectives were able to locate the victims’ stolen property and recovered both ski masks and handguns belonging to the suspects. Both suspects are described as African-American males each around 27-32 years old and about 6’ to 6’3” tall. Anyone with information is urged to contact Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165.

Two Years For Loaded Gun

SNOW HILL — A Baltimore man arrested in June 2011 after being found with a loaded handgun on his person after picking fights with strangers on the Boardwalk pleaded guilty last week to a weapons charge and was sentenced to two years in jail.

Around 11:15 p.m. on June 10, 2011, OCPD officers were on normal patrol on the Boardwalk near 7th Street when they were approached by a man who told them another man, later identified as Jerome Gray, 25, of Baltimore, was being loud and disorderly and was attempting to fight numerous people on the Boardwalk. The officers began following Gray at a distance and noticed he was allegedly jumping around and shouting at people on the Boardwalk.

At one point, Gray allegedly shoved his shoulder into another man on the Boardwalk as he walked by. Gray and the unidentified man began yelling at each other. According to police reports, Gray was standing on the balls of his feet and pushing his chest out in an attempt to look larger than he actually was as he prepared to fight with the man. According to the report, a crowd had gathered to watch Gray allegedly attempt to instigate a fight with the man, who continued to walk away.

An OCPD officer approached Gray and grabbed the suspect, telling him to give the officer his hands. Gray resisted and said he hadn’t done anything. At that point, Gray was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge. During a search incident to the arrest, a Raven Arms MP-25 caliber handgun was found in the front pocket of his pants. The weapon was loaded with one round in the chamber and six total rounds in the magazine. Last week in Worcester County Circuit Court, Gray pleaded guilty to wearing, carrying and transporting a handgun on his person and was sentenced to two years in jail.

Suspended Sentence

SNOW HILL — A Pennsylvania man arrested in June after scrapping with OCPD officers and ultimately getting tazed pleaded guilty last week to second-degree assault and was sentenced to six months in jail, all of which was suspended in favor of probation and a fine.

Around 11:45 p.m. on June 27, OCPD officers on bike patrol in the area of 15th Street and Wilmington Lane observed a suspect later identified as Dylan Richard Thomas, 19, of Shaverton, Pa., strike the trunk of a vehicle stopped at a red light at 15th Street. According to the police report, the officers heard Thomas strike the vehicle from half a block away.

According to the police report, Thomas allegedly unleashed an expletive-laden tirade against the female driver of the vehicle, whom he reportedly did not know and with whom he had no prior contact. When questioned, Thomas told police he didn’t strike the vehicle, but fell into it. When questioned further, Thomas asked police “So what if I [expletive deleted] hit the car.”

At that point, an OCPD officer attempted to place Thomas under arrest for disorderly conduct and ordered the suspect to put his hands behind his back. Thomas, who appeared intoxicated, launched a few more expletives at the officer, who was able to get one of the suspect’s hands cuffed. According to police reports, Thomas then spun around, struck the officer in the chest with his elbow and assumed a fighting stance.

The arresting officer, noting in his report the only open area on Thomas’ body was his face, struck Thomas once in the face with a closed fist. Thomas continued to flail his arms, striking another officer in the shoulder and arm.

The other officer then performed an angle kick to Thomas’ right leg while the first officer got the suspect to the ground with a modified arm bar take. According to the police report, Thomas continued to resist and shout expletives. Thomas was on the ground with his hands in closed fists under his body and refused to comply with several commands to stop resisting arrest.

Finally, one of the officers stepped back and presented his Taser and told Thomas to stop resisting or he was going to use it. When Thomas still did not comply, the officer yelled “Taser” three times and fired his ECD at the suspect, but both probes failed to hit their mark. The officer then repeated the procedure, offering another warning, but the probes missed their mark again. Finally, the officer knelt on Thomas’ back and performed a “drive stun” to the center of the suspect’s back, after which Thomas allegedly said “OK, stop,” according to police reports.

Bike Theft Alleged

BERLIN — A Berlin man was arrested on theft charges last week after allegedly taking a bicycle without permission.

Around 4:40 p.m. last Friday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to the area of Mary Rd. in Berlin for a report of a suspicious person. Troopers arrived and made contact with Richard Wayne Derickson, 45, of Berlin, who was riding a Huffy bicycle. The investigation revealed the bicycle had been taken from a nearby residence without permission.

When questioned, Derickson told police it was implied he had permission to use the bicycle. Troopers contacted the bike’s owner, who said she had not implied permission to take the bicycle and advised she wanted to press charges. Derickson was then arrested and charged with theft under $100.