Boosters President Charged

Boosters President Charged
Social Issues Government13

POCOMOKE — The president of the Pocomoke High School Band Boosters has been arrested on felony theft and other charges after allegedly absconding with thousands of dollars of the organization’s funds for her own benefit.

In October, Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detectives met with representatives of Pocomoke High and the Worcester County Board of Education regarding a suspected theft. Board members told detectives the president of the Pocomoke Band Boosters, identified as Tracey Whittington Colbert, 39, of Crisfield, had been using the organization’s funds for her own benefit.

The alleged theft was reported to police as soon as the Board of Education was made aware of the crime. The WCBI investigation revealed that between August and October, Colbert allegedly not only forged other booster member’s signatures on checks, but also stole roughly $2,271 from the accounts of the organization. As a result, Colbert has been charged with theft from $1,000 to $10,000, forgery and uttering, and theft scheme from $1,000 to $10,000.

Resort Burglar Sentenced

SNOW HILL — One of two Berlin residents arrested in June after Ocean City police were able to connect them to a series of residential break-ins in the resort pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court multiple counts of theft and burglary and received suspended sentences for each, but will serve 18 months for an unrelated heroin possession charge.

Justin Caple, 23, of Berlin, pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to two counts of theft under $1,000 and received 18-month suspended sentences for each and also pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree burglary and was sentenced to three years on that count, which was also suspended. However, Caple also pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and was sentenced to 18 months, which he will serve.

The Ocean City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, in conjunction with the Patrol Division and with assistance from the Ocean Pines Police Department early last summer began investigating a series of burglaries at various locations throughout the resort during the early part of June. The investigation revealed the common link in the burglaries was that they were each serviced by the same property management company.

During the course of the investigation, detectives established a primary suspect, identified as Caple, after learning he was a new employee of the property management company who had access to the burglarized units. Based on information obtained during the investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for Caple and a known associate, identified as Lindsay Marie Lopez, 23, of Berlin.

Caple and Lopez were located and arrested. Caple was charged with first-degree burglary and two counts of theft, while Lopez was charged with theft and rogue and vagabond. Lopez has her trial scheduled for Dec. 21.

Probation, Fine For Weed

OCEAN CITY — One of four New York men arrested in August on drug distribution charges after fighting with Ocean City police pleaded guilty this week to possession of marijuana and was fined and placed on probation.

Around 12:40 a.m. on Aug. 16, Ocean City Police Narcotics Unit officers along with the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team were investigating the illegal distribution of marijuana in the area of Philadelphia Ave. and 6th Street. During the course of the investigation, OCPD detectives and uniformed officers attempted to arrest two suspects for distribution of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) on a porch at 6th Street and Philadelphia Ave.

As the officers were attempting to place the suspects under arrest, the suspects began to struggle and fight with the officers. At that point, several occupants of the residence came out and began to interfere with the arresting officers and fight police. The original officers on the scene had to call for additional units to assist with the arrests. In addition, marijuana was discovered in the top floor unit of the building where the suspect’s friends were staying.

A total of four suspects were arrested, including Thomas William Mullen, 20, of Pearl River, N.Y.; Andrew James McAllister, 20, of Garnerville, N.Y.; Michael Anthony Sadori, 20, of North Rockland, N.Y.; and Thomas Patrick Brannigan, 20, of Garnerville, N.Y. Mullen was charged with conspiracy to distribute CDS and resisting arrest. McAllister was charged with distribution of CDS, Sadori was charged with conspiracy to distribute CDS and resisting arrest, and Brannigan was charged with distribution of CDS.

This week in District Court, Brannigan pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and was fined $1,000 and placed on probation for one year. The other suspects were scheduled to appear in court, but each had their cases postponed.

Armed Robbers Sought

SALISBURY — Salisbury Police this week are looking for two suspects who robbed The Wireless Store on West Isabella Street last week armed with a shotgun.

Just after 6 p.m. last Tuesday, Salisbury Police responded to The Wireless Store on West Isabella Street for a reported armed robbery. Investigators learned a white male suspect had entered the store armed with a shotgun, demanded money and fled the business with an undisclosed amount of currency. A second suspect described as a black male stood by the entrance to the business during the robbery.

Both suspects were wearing masks at the time of the robbery. The white male suspect is described a short with a thin build and hazel eyes last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. Salisbury Police continue to investigate the armed robbery this week and Crime Solvers is asking anyone with information to come forward using the anonymous tip line at (410) 548-1776.

Parking Lot Armed Robbery Probed

SALISBURY — Salisbury Police this week are looking for the suspect who robbed a woman at gunpoint last week near a coin-op laundry.

Around 8:30 p.m. last Monday, Salisbury Police responded to a coin-op laundry on Ocean Gateway for a reported armed robbery that had just taken place in the parking lot. The victim told police she had just loaded clothes into the trunk and was preparing to leave when she was confronted by the suspect while sitting in her vehicle. The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money.

The victim began struggling with the suspect at which point he dropped the gun. The suspect then grabbed the victim’s purse, which contained currency, and fled the area. The suspect is described as a black male, roughly 20 years old, around 5’6” and 170 pounds, wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt and pants at the time of the crime. Anyone with information is urged to contact Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165, or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.

Surveillance Nabs ATM Burglar

SALISBURY — A Princess Anne man was arrested on robbery charges this week after Salisbury Police connected him to a hold-up of an armored car service loading an ATM machine in August.

On Aug. 10, Salisbury Police began an investigation into a strong-armed robbery at the Wawa on S. South Salisbury Blvd. A Loomis Armored Service technician was refilling an ATM machine in the business when an unknown suspect grabbed the cash and fled on foot. The technician suffered a broken thumb during the altercation. Using surveillance video, detectives were able to develop the suspect as Troy Booker Nixon, 44, of Princess Anne. A search and seizure warrant was issued and Nixon was arrested at his residence on Tuesday.