Armed Robbery Alleged

Armed Robbery Alleged

BERLIN — A Berlin man was arrested on armed robbery and first-degree assault charges last week after allegedly robbing a woman at gunpoint at a Berlin apartment complex earlier in the week.

Around 10:45 p.m. last Thursday, Berlin Police arrested Lavar D. Harmon, 20, of Berlin, and charged him with armed robbery and first-degree assault. Harmon is accused of robbing a Berlin woman at gunpoint on the morning of Nov. 2 near the Bay Terrace Apartment Complex. Harmon was also charged with second-degree assault and theft.

The Wicomico County Fugitive Arrest Squad assisted Berlin Police with the arrest. Harmon is being held at the Worcester County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

Jail Time For Pot Dealing

SNOW HILL — A Beltsville, Md. man, one of five arrested in a Boardwalk drug sweep in June, pleaded guilty last week to distribution of marijuana and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, most of which was suspended in favor of probation and a fine.

From 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on June 2, the Ocean City Police Narcotics Unit and the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team conducted a plainclothes drug enforcement operation on the Boardwalk to target drug dealers and sellers. During the operation, detectives made a total of five arrests for distribution of marijuana.

During one of the incidents, detectives met three males on the Boardwalk near Dorchester Street and purchase marijuana. When uniformed officers moved in to arrest the suspects, two of the three resisted. The resisting suspects immediately tried to reach into the front waistband area of their pants, but they were quickly restrained with handcuffs.

After the suspects were detained, it was determined each had replica handguns in their waistbands. One was a replica Walther CP-99 and the other was a replica Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun. No injuries were reported. The suspects who resisted arrested and were found with replica handguns included Rashaun Jakeem Downs, 19, of Easton, along with a 14-year-old juvenile from Cambridge. Both were charged with possession and distribution of marijuana and possession of a concealed replica firearm.

Also arrested during the Boardwalk drug sweep were Kenneth Walter Stepp, 23, of Wilmington, Tavaugn Akeem Batson, 20, of Easton, and Kemroy Alvin Thompson, 19, of Beltsville. Each was charged with possession and distribution of marijuana.

Last week, Thompson pleaded guilty to distribution of marijuana and was sentenced to 90 days. All but five of those days was then suspended and Thompson was placed on probation for two years and fined $500. The other defendants have not yet appeared for trial.

Phony Casino Story
Nets Probation, Fine

SNOW HILL — A Pennsylvania woman, arrested in August after making up a phony story about being attacked and robbed in a West Ocean City shopping center parking lot because she was embarrassed and afraid to tell her husband she had lost money at the casino, pleaded guilty this week in District Court to making a false statement to an officer and was placed on probation and fined.

Around 1 p.m. on Aug. 27, a woman, later identified as Roxanne Mae Donnelly, 57, of Lancaster, Pa., walked into a jewelry store in the Tanger Outlets in West Ocean City and claimed she had been attacked in the parking lot.

Detectives from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) arrived and spoke with Donnelly, who claimed she had been attacked from behind, physically assaulted and robbed of the $250 that had been in her handbag. After speaking with Donnelly, it became apparent to detectives her story did not make sense.

A check with the Casino at Ocean Downs revealed Donnelly had spent the exact amount she had reported stolen just prior to the time she claimed she had been attacked. When confronted, Donnelly admitted she had invented the story because she was embarrassed to tell her husband she had spent all their money. On Tuesday, Donnelly pleaded guilty to making a false statement to an officer and was placed on probation for one year and fined $300.

Stolen Credit Card
Used In Same Store

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was arrested on theft and other charges last week after allegedly using a credit card he stole from the victim’s vehicle in the same store where the theft occurred.

On Sept. 25, Salisbury Police began investigating a theft from a vehicle at the parking lot of the Giant Foods on S. Salisbury Blvd. The investigation revealed around 4:30 p.m., the victim was putting groceries in her car and walked away from the vehicle briefly when an unknown suspect entered the car and stole her purse.

Last week, Salisbury Police arrested Gary David Cannon, 47, of Salisbury, after the investigation revealed he went into the same Giant store and used the victim’s credit card to make a purchase. Cannon was charged with theft, credit card theft, theft scheme and rogue and vagabond.

Contractor Sentenced
In Pollution Case

SALISBURY — An Eastern Shore contractor pleaded guilty last week in Wicomico County Circuit Court to multiple counts of improper solid waste disposal by open burning and was sentenced to six months in jail, all of which was suspended in favor of a $30,000 fine and community service.

Peter Ivan, of Eden, last week pleaded guilty to multiple counts of improper solid waste disposal after an incident in April 2011 when he burned a large pile of construction debris on his property. Ivan was sentenced to six months in jail, all of which was suspended, and was fined $30,000, about $10,000 of which must be paid during his five-year probation period. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.

On April 2, 2011, Ivan was burning a large pile of construction debris on his property. Wicomico County Health Department officials responded to the site and called the Fruitland Fire Department when it became evident Ivan’s employees were unable to contain the fire. Large debris piles measured roughly 100 feet by 100 feet with one third of the debris pile ablaze.

The Fruitland Fire Department dispatched five units to fight the fire, which took over an hour to bring under control. Materials observed in the solid waste piles included lumber, vinyl siding, plastic goods, cabinetry, carpeting and other goods from the defendant’s construction business which had been dumped on the property to avoid paying proper landfill fees. Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler’s office prosecuted the case in Wicomico County Circuit Court last week.

“We must send the message that those who harm our fragile environment and jeopardize the health and welfare of Marylanders will pay the price,” said Gansler following the plea hearing. “By trying to save a few dollars, this individual did much more costly damage and is now being held accountable for those actions.”