Resort Police Make Arrests After Watching Drug Deal

Resort Police Make Arrests After Watching Drug Deal
Resort

OCEAN CITY — Four Eastern Shore men were arrested on drug charges this week after police witnessed their alleged marijuana sale going down in a downtown alley and apprehended them after a brief pursuit.

Around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Ocean City Police Special Enforcement Unit detectives working in a plainclothes capacity observed an alleged drug transaction take place in the area of 8th Street and Wilmington Lane. One suspect, later identified as John E. Hunt III, 19, of Easton, approached a vehicle occupied by three men in an attempt to sell them marijuana. The three additional suspects were later identified as Jerron A. Collier, 20, of Princess Anne; Kyle M. Dennis, 20, of Westover; and Avanta Roberts, 24, also of Princess Anne.

A uniformed OCPD officer quickly arrived on the scene and approached the suspects, at which point the vehicle fled north on Wilmington Lane at a high rate of speed while Hunt fled on foot. OCPD officers broadcasted the description of the vehicle and it was stopped shortly thereafter at the intersection of 20th Street and Philadelphia Ave. Collier, Dennis and Roberts were taken into custody and marijuana and cash were seized following a search of the vehicle.

Meanwhile, at approximately 2:40 a.m., or roughly an hour and a half after the incident, OCPD Special Enforcement Unit detectives observed Hunt return to the same parking lot where the initial drug transaction took place. Uniformed officers responded quickly and took Hunt into custody without further incident. Hunt has been charged with possession and distribution of marijuana. Collier and Roberts have been charged with possession, while Dennis, the driver of the vehicle, has been charged with possession, resisting arrest and multiple traffic citations related to the chase.

Roberts and Collier were both released on their own recognizance, while Hunt is being held on a $5,000 bond. As of late Wednesday, Dennis was still awaiting his initial appearance.