SNOW HILL — An Ocean Pines man, arrested in January on armed robbery and other serious charges after portraying himself as a police officer at a West Ocean City trading post that sells guns and later threatening a female with a rifle at an ATM, pleaded guilty last week and now awaits his fate pending a pre-sentence investigation.
Around 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 8, Maryland State Police troopers and Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a silent alarm activation at Larry’s Trading Post in West Ocean City. Once officers arrived on the scene, they learned a white male wearing a black suit, black hat and black gloves entered the store, identified himself as police officer and requested to inspect some of the handguns in the establishment.
The store owner did not observe a police badge or any other police credentials, nor did the owner observe the suspect wearing a handgun on his hip. The store owner became suspicious and asked to see the suspect’s credentials and activated the store’s silent alarm. The suspect told the store owner he needed to go to his vehicle and then quickly left the area in a white 2014 Dodge Avenger.
Later around 11:50 p.m. the same day, a female individual pulled up to an ATM machine at a bank on Racetrack Rd. to withdraw money. The female victim observed a white male exit a white 2014 Dodge Avenger and approach her at the ATM machine carrying a black rifle with a scope. In fear, the victim fled the area and contacted local law enforcement, reporting what had just occurred.
An all-points bulletin was broadcast and the Dodge Avenger was stopped by a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy a short time later. The suspect was identified as Cory C. Richardson, 29, of Ocean Pines. Richardson was arrested and taken to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning by the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI), which connected him to both incidents.
Richardson was charged with armed robbery, first-degree assault, impersonating an officer, reckless endangerment, the use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime and other weapons charges.
Last week in Worcester County Circuit Court, Richardson pleaded guilty to armed robbery and impersonating an officer. The other charges were dropped as a result of the plea arrangement. Sentencing was deferred pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation. The armed robbery conviction carries a maximum penalty of 20 years. Sentencing has been set for Aug. 11.