OCEAN CITY — A Baltimore woman was arrested on first-degree burglary and other charges last weekend after allegedly breaking into a resort residence and taking a camera and cash.
Around 7 a.m. last Saturday, an OCPD officer responded to a residence on 12th Street for a reported burglary that had already occurred. One of the residents told the officer at around 6:45 a.m., he went into the living room and found a window open and an unidentified woman hiding behind a couch. The woman told the victim she was let in by a man and that she was looking for someone but must be in the wrong house.
The victims told the suspect, later identified as Gail Elizabeth Evans, 50, of Baltimore, to leave and she did. The victims followed Evans as she walked north on the Boardwalk as far as 18th Street. When the victims returned to the residence, they discovered around $15 in one dollar bills was missing from a table in the living room. The victims were able to provide a description of Evans to police and the description was broadcasted about 20 minutes after the first encounter with at the residence.
About 15 minutes later, an OCPD officer reported from the area of 30th Street he had observed a female matching Evans’ description changing her shirt and hat and pushing a baby stroller. When the officer confronted Evans, she was not able to explain why she had changed her shirt and hat, according to police reports. Evans was then detained because she matched the description of the suspect and because of her unusual behavior.
Around 7:55 a.m., the original OCPD officer on the case brought one of the victims to the area of 31st Street to identify the suspect. The victim indicated he was 100 percent certain Evans was the suspect he had observed in the residence. Evans was placed under arrest and a search of her person was conducted. During a search of her belongings was found suspected marijuana and paraphernalia, currency in the amount of $163, a Cannon SD 780SI camera, metal knuckles and a fighting knife.
The OCPD officer on scene informed the officer back at the residence of what was found on Evans’ person. One of the victims then checked her purse on the kitchen table and discovered an additional $150 in cash and a Cannon camera were missing. Evans was charged with first-degree burglary, theft, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia and possession of prohibited weapons. She was held initially on a $25,000 bond and was released the following day after posting bail. A preliminary hearing has been set for Sept. 26.
First Degree Assault With Beer Bottle
OCEAN CITY — A Bethany Beach man was arrested on first-degree assault and other charges this week after allegedly hitting another man over the head with a beer bottle at a midtown restaurant and nightclub.
On Monday, Ocean City Police responded to a reported assault that had already occurred. Upon arrival, OCPD officers detained an individual later identified as Brian D. Guessford, 27, of Bethany Beach, and observed another individual who appeared to be the victim of an assault.
The investigation revealed Guessford had struck another bar patron in the head with a glass beer bottle. The victim had multiple cuts and bruises on the top of his head. Several witnesses told police they observed Guessford strike the victim with the glass beer bottle and the bar’s video surveillance system captured images of the assault.
Witnesses told police a female companion of Guessford’s was extremely intoxicated and had been running into other guests and flinging her hair around and hitting other people with it. A witness told police the victim confronted the female about her actions, at which point Guessford came over and told the victim he should not have intervened. Witnesses said Guessford then struck the victim several times in the head with the glass beer bottle.
Bar security then grabbed Guessford and removed him from the property, which is around the time police arrived on the scene. Guessford was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and using a dangerous weapon with intent to injure. He was later released after posting a $10,000 bond.
Burglary, Assault In Berlin
BERLIN — A Berlin man was arrested on assault, burglary and other charges last weekend after allegedly breaking into a residence and attacking his ex-girlfriend.
Around 5:45 p.m. last Sunday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to a residence on Dinges Rd. in Berlin for a reported domestic assault. The investigation revealed a suspect later identified as Alonzo Antonio Baines forcibly entered the residence without invitation against a “do not trespass order” issued by the MSP back on Aug. 15.
After entering the residence unlawfully, Baines allegedly proceeded to assault his ex-girlfriend and destroy property. He was located a short time after the complaint was made and taken into custody. He has been charged with second-degree assault, first- and third-degree burglary and trespassing. Baines is being held at the Worcester County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Jail Time For Hit-and-Run
SNOW HILL- A Stockton man, arrested on driving under the influence charges in March after allegedly hitting a mailbox with his vehicle and continuing on, only to be found a short time later at a residence still seated behind the wheel, pleaded guilty this week and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, most of which was suspended.
Around 3 p.m. on March 22, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of George Island Landing Rd. in Stockton for a reported hit-and-run collision. It was reported a white van struck a mailbox and continued driving. Deputies observed the mailbox and determined it had been hit, but no sustained no significant damage.
While en route to the scene, deputies observed a white van matching the vehicle description at a residence on George Island Landing Rd. Deputies made contact with the driver, later identified as Jeffery Dean Hillman, 53, of Stockton, who was still sitting in the driver’s seat. Deputies reported a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle and Hillman’s person. Hillman was then asked to perform field sobriety tests, which he did not pass to the satisfaction of the officers. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
On Tuesday, Hillman pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence per se and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. All but two days of the sentence were then suspended and Hillman was also fined $400.
Drugs Found In Bra
SALISBURY — A Rhode Island woman was arrested on illegal drug possession charges last weekend after police observed her walk into the woods to urinate outside Perdue Stadium in Salisbury.
Around 5:30 p.m. last Sunday, a Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputy working traffic detail observed a woman later identified as Jamie Nina Nelson, 25, of Providence, R.I., exit a vehicle adjacent to the main entrance of the stadium and walk into a wooded area. The deputy questioned Nelson and learned she was on her way to Ocean City and needed to urinate before the last stretch of the drive.
Due to indicators observed, an investigation into the possession of illegal drugs ensued. During a subsequent search, drugs were discovered hidden in Nelson’s bra. The drugs were narcotic pain pills and Xanax and were not in a proper container. Nelson was placed under arrest and was transported to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken before a District Court Commissioner. Following the appearance, Nelson was released on a $25,000 bond.
Unattended Cooking Blamed For Fire
SNOW HILL — Unattended cooking is being blamed for a fire at an apartment complex in Snow Hill on Monday.
Around 8 p.m. on Monday, fire companies from Snow Hill, Stockton, Girdletree, Pocomoke and Greenbackville, Va. responded to a reported fire at an apartment at the Heritage Court Apartments on Purnell Street in Snow Hill. First arriving units reported smoke extending from the second-story apartment. The fire was quickly extinguished and contained to the apartment of origin.
No injuries were reported. The apartment involved in the fire was occupied at the time, but both occupants were able to escape. However, the apartment involved in the fire and the first floor apartment below it were deemed uninhabitable and the occupants were assisted by the American Red Cross. The cause of the fire has been listed as unattended cooking.
Sentence In Rape Case
SALISBURY — A Salisbury man, arrested in March on sex offense charges against a minor, pleaded guilty this week and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
In March, Jamie Alfredo Lumpkin, 36, of Salisbury was arrested in connection with a reported series of sex offenses against a minor. In court on Wednesday, Lumpkin pleaded guilty to second-degree rape and a second-degree sexual offense upon a minor. He was also found to be in violation of probation for a prior second-degree sex offense.
Judge William Simpson sentenced Lumpkin to 50 years in the Department of Corrections. The defendant will be forced to serve at least half of the sentence before being eligible for parole. Upon his release, Lumpkin will register as a Tier III offender and sexually violent predator and will be supervised for the remainder of his life.
Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matt Maciarello commended the Wicomico Child Advocacy Center and its partners, including the Maryland State Police, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, the Salisbury Police Department, the Department of Social Services and the Life Crisis Center for their assist in the investigation and successful prosecution. Maciarello also thanked Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes, who prosecuted the case.