OCEAN CITY — A Baltimore man was arrested on indecent exposure charges last weekend after allegedly dropping his drawers and exposing himself in front of a crowed Ocean City municipal bus to “make his girlfriend laugh.”
Last Sunday, an OCPD officer on a uniformed detail aboard an Ocean City bus heading north on Coastal Highway near 78th Street was standing near the driver when he observed a man jump from the sidewalk into the middle of the bus lane less than half of a block in front of the oncoming bus. The bus operator had to apply the brakes to avoid hitting the individual identified as Joseph R. Davis, 28, of Baltimore.
Davis had pulled down his shorts to his ankles and was exposing himself to the occupants of the bus. Davis’ buttocks and genitals could clearly be seen because of the bus headlights and his close proximity to the front windshield of the bus. The bus contained roughly 40 passengers at the time, at least 10 of which were seated or standing at the front of the vehicle with an obstructed view of the road ahead where Davis was bent over.
The officer noted in his report he saw the faces of the passengers and they all had looks of shock and disgust. One passenger even said “ooh, that’s disgusting,” according to police reports. The individuals who witnessed Davis were obviously disturbed by his actions, according to police reports.
It took several seconds for the operator to bring the bus to a complete stop to allow the uniformed officer to exit. By the time the officer exited the bus and took several steps toward Davis, he had begun to cover himself and move back to the sidewalk. The officers exited the bus and placed Davis under arrest for indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and hindering free passage. When the officer asked Davis why he jumped in front of the bus and exposed himself, he allegedly replied he “just wanted to make his girlfriend laugh,” according to police reports.
Cigarette Smuggler Busted
BERLIN — A New York man was arrested on cigarette smuggling charges last weekend after getting pulled over for speeding on Route 113 in Berlin.
Around 10:45 p.m. last Saturday, a Berlin Police officer pulled over a vehicle for speeding on Route 113 and Burley Street in Berlin. The officer questioned the driver, identified as Ahmad Aljaludi, 33, of the Bronx, N.Y., who gave conflicting stories of his departure and destination. During the investigation, the officer observed two cases of cigarettes in plain view on the rear seat.
A search revealed Aljaludi was transporting 538 cartons, or 5,380 packs of various brands of cigarettes. The Maryland Comptroller’s Office was alerted and responded and seized the cigarettes and the vehicle. The retail value of the cigarettes is estimated at $24,701, and the Maryland tax loss is estimated at $10,760. Aljaludi was arrested and charged with possessing and importing unstamped cigarettes. After an appearance before a District Court Commissioner, Aljaludi was released on his own recognizance pending trial.
Pot Distribution Alleged
BERLIN — A New York man was arrested on marijuana distribution charges last week after getting caught speeding on Route 113 at Mason Rd. in Berlin.
Around 4 p.m. last Sunday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle for going 93 mph in a 55 mph zone on Worcester Highway near Mason Rd. in Berlin. The deputy identified the driver as Justin Charles, 27, of Brooklyn, N.Y. A license check showed Charles’ New York license was suspended. Charles was issued four traffic citations for speeding and driving on a suspended license.
During a search incident to the stop, marijuana and paraphernalia was discovered. Charles was then placed under arrest and charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was ordered to be held on a $3,000 bond and is awaiting trial.
Public Urination
BERLIN — A Pittsburgh man was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and public urination this week after allegedly relieving himself in the parking lot at the Casino at Ocean Downs.
Around 10 p.m. on Monday, Maryland State Police received a call from Casino at Ocean Downs security in reference to an individual they were holding in custody for urinating in public. Troopers responded and viewed the surveillance footage of an individual later identified as Maurice Earl Vason, 48, of Pittsburgh, urinating in plain view in one of the casino’s parking lots.
The footage also showed a patron walking by Vason while he was urinating. Vason was subsequently arrested for disorderly conduct and public urination. He was taken to the MSP Berlin barrack for processing and was released on a criminal citation pending a court hearing.
Scooter Collides
With Sheriff Vehicle
WEST OCEAN CITY — An Ocean City woman was injured last week when the scooter she was riding collided with a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office vehicle on Route 611 in West Ocean City.
Around 1 a.m. last Friday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy observed an individual driving a scooter on Route 611 just north of Mystic Harbor. The officer observed the scooter, driven by Jodi Goldstein, 46, of Ocean City, traveling across the northbound and southbound lanes of Route 611. The deputy signaled for Goldstein to stop by utilizing his emergency lights and siren.
According to police reports, Goldstein did not seek or acknowledge the deputy and the vehicle at first. However, Goldstein then turned to look at the patrol vehicle now next to her. Goldstein then turned into the patrol vehicle and struck it. Goldstein was ejected from the vehicle and sustained injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
She was flown to PRMC in Salisbury for treatment of the injuries. According to police reports, Goldstein had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on her breath. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.
Vessel Operator Arrested
OCEAN CITY — A Virginia woman was arrested on assault and other charges last weekend after getting pulled over for speeding in a vessel in the Isle of Wight Bay in Ocean City.
Around 8:30 p.m. last Friday, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) stopped a vessel for speeding just south of the Route 50 bridge. Following an interview with the vessel’s operator, identified as Corinne Aileen Stout, 32, of Newport News, Va., the NRP officer decided to take her to shore for a sobriety test. According to police reports, Stout then became agitated and attempted to leave before disobeying an order and pushing an NRP officer.
Stout was then placed under arrest, but resisted and had to be handcuffed. Stout was charged with second-degree assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. She is scheduled to appear in District Court in Snow Hill on Sept. 23. If convicted, Stout faces a maximum fine of $10,500 and up to 13 years in prison.
Guilty Plea In
Bishopville Assault
SNOW HILL — A Bishopville man, arrested in February on first-degree assault and other charges after allegedly firing multiple shots from a handgun and threatening to kill a female acquaintance during a domestic dispute, pleaded guilty this week to second-degree assault and telephone misuse and now awaits his fate pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation.
On Feb. 18, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the victim of an assault at a residence in Bishopville. The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) was contacted and responded with a uniformed officer to meet with the victim. The victim told police she had been in a relationship with a suspect identified as Isaac Cook III, 51, of Bishopville and that the couple had resided together at the residence in Bishopville.
The victim told police on Feb. 18, she was at the residence with Cook when he asked her to drive him to Salisbury. When the victim told Cook she would not drive him to Salisbury, he allegedly became angry and exited through the front door of the residence with a black handgun and fired multiple rounds. The victim told police Cook then re-entered the home, stood a few feet away from her and allegedly threatened “to blow her brains out” while holding the handgun.
The victim told police that after threatening her with the gun, Cook approached her, grabbed her by the throat and threw her down on a bed. The victim was able to flee the area a short time later. The victim also told police Cook had left several threatening voice mails and text messages on her phone after the incident. Detectives reviewed the voice mails and text messages and they were found to be aggressive toward the victim and implied Cook would find her and do her harm.
Based on the victim’s statements and additional investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained for Cook, charging him with first- and second-degree assault and telephone misuse. Cook was apprehended in Wicomico County by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.
In Circuit Court on Monday, Cook pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and telephone misuse-repeated calls and a pre-sentence investigation was ordered.
Warrant Arrest
BISHOPVILLE — A routine traffic stop for speeding in Bishopville late last month led to the arrest of a Mexican national wanted in Worcester County on multiple outstanding warrants.
On July 22, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy patrolling in northern Worcester County stopped a vehicle for speeding on Bishopville Rd. in the area of Bishop Street. The driver was identified as Oliviero Cruz-Jose, 24, of Mexico. A wanted check showed Cruz-Jose had an outstanding warrant for failing to appear for court in Worcester County. It was also learned Cruz-Jose had two additional warrants under an alias he had used during a prior arrest. Cruz-Jose was arrested on the outstanding warrants. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was released on his own recognizance. He was also issued a citation for speeding.