Melee At McDonalds

Melee At McDonalds

BERLIN — One juvenile was arrested after a large fight at the McDonalds on Route 50 in Berlin last Thursday during which police had to use pepper spray to subdue the crowd.

Shortly before 9 p.m. last Thursday, Berlin Police, along with Maryland State Police troopers and Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies, responded to the McDonalds on Route 50 for a reported large fight in progress. Upon arrival, officers found a large disorderly crowd and observed a large number of individuals involved in a fight.

Officers deployed pepper spray to separate the combatants and disburse the crowd. A 16-year-old juvenile was placed under arrest and charged with disorderly conduct. The juvenile was charged and later released to the custody of a parent.

Counterfeiters Sentenced

OCEAN CITY — Two men arrested in June on counterfeiting charges after passing phony bills at resort businesses each pleaded guilty last week and each was sentenced to five years in jail, although one had all but one year of his sentence suspended.

Around 1 a.m. on June 17, OCPD officers patrolling in the area of 17th Street and Philadelphia Ave. were advised by a nearby store employee a suspect or suspects had just attempted to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. OCPD officers met with store employees and viewed surveillance images and were able to identify a suspect as Christopher Dale Miller, 28, of Berlin.

Police received numerous calls from businesses during the course of their investigation regarding the passing of counterfeit currency. Detectives were able to link Miller to the additional cases, and also identified a second suspect, Kevin Michael McCarthy, 27, of Ocean City. Throughout the investigation, a total of 31 counterfeit $20 bills were allegedly passed by the duo, victimizing eight businesses. Miller was arrested and charged through a warrant on June 20. McCarthy was charged on a warrant and was later apprehended.

Last week in Circuit Court, Miller pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of forged currency and was sentenced to three years for one count and two years for the other, netting a total of five years. McCarthy also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years, all but one of which was suspended.

Dealer Gets One Year

SNOW HILL — One of five suspects arrested during a Boardwalk drug sweep in June was sentenced this week to one year in jail after pleading guilty in October to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

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.

In October, Stepp pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and a pre-sentence investigation was ordered. Back in court on Tuesday, Stepp was sentenced to one year in jail and was also fined $500. Earlier this year, Batson was sentenced to 30 days with all but four suspended, while Thompson was sentenced to 90 days with all but five suspended. The other cases have not yet been adjudicated.

Probation For Naked Guy

OCEAN CITY — A Montgomery Village, Md. man, arrested in June on indecent exposure and assault charges after first running around completely naked in the dunes near a crowded beach before struggling with officers attempting to arrest him, pleaded guilty last week to disorderly conduct and was fined and placed on probation.

Around 9:30 a.m. on June 11, an OCPD officer responded to the area of 140th Street and Wight Street for a report of a completely nude man in the public dune area. Upon arrival, the officer observed a suspect, later identified as Brendan P. O’Hare, 36, who was completely naked and running around flailing his arms while yelling and chasing another individual.

The officer noted in his report several concerned citizens, including men and women, had gathered and were watching O’Hare’s disorderly conduct. The officer attempted to arrest O’Hare for indecent exposure and disorderly conduct and grabbed his left arm, but the suspect resisted and struck the officer in the chest with his right hand and arm in an attempt to get away.

After a brief struggle, the officer was able to handcuff O’Hare. However, the suspect continued to kick and attempt to get away from the officer. According to the police report, O’Hare continually referred to himself as Jesus and God throughout the incident and appeared to be intoxicated from some substance.

Accompanied by OCPD officers, O’Hare was transported by ambulance to PRMC for treatment before being returned to the Ocean City Police Department for booking. He was charged with indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and second-degree assault on the officer. Last week, he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and as fined $500 and placed on probation for one year.

Burglar Gets Probation

OCEAN CITY — A Pennsylvania man, arrested in August after first breaking into a mid-town residence before being discovered and escorted out by his victim, pleaded guilty last week to fourth-degree burglary and was placed on probation for two years.

Around 12:43 a.m. on Aug. 12, OCPD responded to the area of 44th Street for reported suspicious activity and possibly a burglary in progress. Officers arrived and met with a victim, who told police he had heard noises on the lower floors of his unit. When the victim went downstairs to investigate, he observed a male suspect attempting to steal various items. The victim confronted the suspect, stopped him from stealing any items and escorted the suspect out of the residence.

Officers obtained a detailed description of the suspect, later identified as Antonio Eduardo Lacaffinie, 29, of Uniontown, Pa., and a broadcast was sent out. The suspect had last been seen walking in the direction of 45th Street. A short time later, OCPD officers located Lacaffinie in the area of 45th Street and Coastal Highway.

The victim was brought to the scene and positively identified Lacaffinie as the suspect he had escorted from his residence. Lacaffinie was arrested and charged with first-, third- and fourth-degree burglary and theft under $100. Last week, Lacaffanie pleaded guilty to fourth-degree burglary and was placed on probation for two years.