Charges In Scooter Crash

BERLIN — A Berlin man was arrested on suspicion of drunk-driving this week after losing control of his scooter and crashing into a ditch along Route 589 near McAllister Rd. on Monday night.

Around 8:20 p.m. on Monday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a reported accident on southbound Route 589 near McAllister Rd. The investigation revealed Travis Alexander Sink, 21, of Berlin, was traveling southbound on Route 589 on a 2010 Tomos scooter when he failed to maintain control of the scooter and crashed it into a ditch adjacent to the roadway.

Sink refused medical treatment, but it was determined through the investigation he may have been impaired. Sink performed unsatisfactorily on field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested. He was transported to the MSP barrack in Berlin, but refused to submit to a breath test. He was subsequently charged with driving under the influence and traffic violations.

Overturned Vehicle

BERLIN — A Newark woman was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk last weekend after her vehicle left the roadway and overturned twice on Route 113 just south of Germantown Rd. near Berlin on Sunday morning.

Around 9:25 a.m. last Sunday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a reported single vehicle accident with an overturn on Route 113 just south of Germantown Rd. near Berlin. Troopers learned from a witness a vehicle driven by Deborah Root, 43, of Newark, Md., was traveling south on Route 113 when the vehicle left the roadway, continued traveling on the grassy median, struck a culvert and then overturned twice.

During the investigation, it was learned there were two children, ages eight and 14, at Root’s residence. MSP troopers responded to the residence to check on the welfare of the children. The Worcester County Department of Social Services was subsequently contacted and responded.

Root was transported to PRMC in Salisbury for treatment of injuries. Upon the troopers’ arrival at the hospital, it was determined a strong odor of alcohol was detected on Root and she was subsequently charged with driving under the influence. As of early this week, Root remained at PRMC for treatment of her injuries.

Probation For Knife Threat

BERLIN — A Berlin man, arrested in October on first- and second-degree assault charges after allegedly threatening another individual with a knife, pleaded guilty last week to possession of a concealed deadly weapon and was sentenced to 18 months, all of which was then suspended.

Around 3:15 p.m. on Oct. 12, 2013, Berlin Police responded to a reported assault on Old Ocean City Blvd. The unidentified victim told police a suspect, later identified as Timothy Wheatley, 23, of Berlin, had threatened him with a knife. The victim was able to flee the scene unharmed and called police.

Berlin Police located Wheatley and short time and later and found him in possession of a knife. Wheatley was charged with first-and second-degree assault. Last week in Circuit Court, Wheatley pleaded guilty to possession of a concealed deadly weapon and was sentenced to 18 months in jail. The sentence was then suspended and he was placed on supervised probation for three years.

Alleged Dealer Sought

SNOW HILL — A Millsboro man arrested last November for allegedly dealing heroin in Ocean City following a three-week investigation failed to appear for trial this week and had a warrant sworn out for his arrest.

On Nov. 8, 2013, the Ocean City Police Narcotics Unit, with the help of the Special Enforcement Unit, concluded a heroin distribution investigation with the arrest of Timmy Morris, 30. Morris was arrested after a three-week undercover operation during which detectives made purchases of heroin from the suspect. OCPD officers arrested Morris in the area of 58th Street and Coastal Highway without incident.

At the time of his arrest, Morris was found to be in possession of 39 bags of heroin, a small amount of crack cocaine and over $300 in currency. Morris was charged with heroin possession, heroin distribution and heroin possession with intent to distribute. Morris was scheduled for trial on Monday but failed to appear and had a warrant sworn out for his arrest.

Shooting Suspect Nabbed

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was arrested on attempted murder and other charges this week after allegedly shooting a man in the area of the Pemberton Apartments and fleeing from police, setting up a manhunt that shut down schools in the area for several hours on Tuesday.

Around 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Salisbury Police responded to the Wali Plaza on Parsons Rd. for a reported assault with a firearm. The investigation revealed the victim, identified as Arnell Bivens, Jr., 20, had been shot once in the lower torso. The victim was transported to PRMC and is listed in stable condition.

After the shooting, the suspect fled the area on foot in the area of the Pemberton Apartments. The area was closed for approximately two hours while police searched for the suspect. The Wicomico County Board of Education coordinated the release of school children who live in the area with their families at Pemberton Elementary.

During the course of the investigation, detectives from the Salisbury Police Department, in partnership with the Maryland State Police Gang Enforcement Unit, identified the suspect as Brian Karl Jones, 19, of Salisbury. Jones was located inside an apartment building at the Pemberton Apartments. Detectives executed a search and seizure warrant at the apartment and recovered the handgun believed to have been used in the shooting.

Jones was arrested without further incident and was charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and possession of a handgun by a prohibited person.

Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan commended the swift response of her department, the MSP Gang Enforcement Unit, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office and commented, “because of dedication and diligence, a violent offender was arrested and another handgun has been removed from our streets.”

Bond Revoked For

School Rape Suspect

SALISBURY — A Delmar teen accused of forcibly raping a Parkside High School student in an empty hallway at the school last week was back in jail this week after his bond was revoked when new weapons charges against him surfaced.

Jocori Marece Scarborough, 17, of Delmar, last week was arrested on first-degree rape and other charges after sexually assaulting a Parkside student in an empty hallway during regular school hours. Scarborough last week was released after posting his initial $100,000 bond, but ended up back in jail this week after new charges of possession of a firearm by a minor were added.

According to the victim, around 8 a.m. last Monday, she was walking with the suspect, later identified as Scarborough, when he began to make sexual advances toward her. Scarborough then allegedly grabbed the victim by the arm and forced her to an area not captured on the school’s video surveillance system.

According to police reports, the victim repeatedly told Scarborough no, but the suspect continued to force her by grabbing her by the hips and dragging her down a hallway. Once in an area outside video surveillance scrutiny, Scarborough allegedly pulled up the victim’s skirt and removed her underwear. Despite her attempts to resist and continued pleadings of no, the suspect was able to control the victim and allegedly raped her. The incident occurred at a time when the students were supposed to be in class, according to police reports.

Scarborough has been charged as an adult with first-and second degree rape, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment and molesting another at school. He was initially held without bond, but later had his bail set at $100,000 after a bond review.

However, as a result of evidence found during the execution of a search and seizure warrant at the suspect’s home on May 6, Scarborough was also charged with possession of a firearm by a minor. On Tuesday, Scarborough was scheduled to appear for a separate peace order hearing that was subsequently dropped, when Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matt Maciarello asked the court to entertain a motion to revoke the suspect’s bond in light of the new weapons charges, pointing out Scarborough should be considered a public safety risk. District Court Judge Daniel Mumford agreed to revoke Scarborough’s bond, essentially agreeing the new weapons charge came to light after the initial bail review last week.

Assault Suspects Sought

SALISBURY — Salisbury Police this week are looking for three suspects wanted in connection with an assault in the area of Naylor Street on Monday evening.

Around 9:45 p.m. on Monday, Salisbury Police responded to the area of Naylor Street for a reported stabbing incident. The investigation revealed the 17-year-old victim had not been stabbed, but had been assaulted while walking in a residential alley. The victim told police he observed three unknown males exit a green-colored vehicle and heard the suspects yell to him as they approached.

The victim told police the suspects never displayed any weapons, nor did they demand any money or property, but they did assault him. The victim was evaluated at PRMC and was treated for abrasions on his abdomen and was later released. The suspects are still at large. The suspects are each described as African-American males all of whom were wearing all black clothing and ski masks at the time of the incident. The suspects were also traveling in a green vehicle of an unknown make and model.

Anyone with information on the attack is urged to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Crime Solvers will often pay a reward of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to arrests.