Arrests In Beating

BERLIN — Two Arnold, Md. men were arrested on first-degree assault and other serious charges last weekend after allegedly beating a family member at an apartment complex in Berlin.

Around 2:30 a.m. last Saturday, Berlin Police responded to an apartment on Bay Street for a report of disorderly suspects. Upon arrival, a Berlin Police officer found a victim identified as Donald Dufenbaugh III, 44, of Baltimore, in the hallway of the apartment severely beaten and asking for help.

Due to the severity of the victim’s injuries, he was flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to Shock Trauma in Baltimore. The victim’s condition had not been updated as of mid-week. Berlin Police identified the alleged suspects as Donald Dufenbaugh IV, 26, and David Dufenbaugh, 32, both of Arnold, Md. Both suspects were arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. As of mid-week, each was being held at the Worcester County Jail on $15,000 bonds.

Wal-Mart Theft Arrest

BERLIN — A Selbyville man was arrested on theft charges after allegedly stealing merchandise from the Wal-Mart in Berlin just one week after getting arrested on drug charges in Ocean City.

Shortly before 5 p.m. last Saturday, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Wal-Mart on Route 50 for a reported theft. Prior to arrival, the deputies learned Wal-Mart Asset Protection had a male suspect later identified as Christopher Ruff, 24, of Selbyville, detained for shoplifting.

Deputies were informed Ruff had allegedly stolen a cordless drill and various DVDs valued at around $195. Ruff was placed under arrest for theft under $1,000. During a search, Ruff was found to be in possession of a hypodermic syringe that had been used to inject CDS. He also had an active warrant in Delaware for theft and forgery charges. He was arrested on the theft and drug charges, along with the fugitive warrant and was held at the Worcester County Jail with no bond.

Just last week, Ruff was arrested in Ocean City on drug charges after the vehicle he was driving was pulled over because a passenger had thrown a used syringe from the window. On November 8, an OCPD officer on patrol observed someone throw an object out of the window of a vehicle in the area of Jamestown Rd. which turned out to be a hypodermic syringe.

After a routine traffic stop, the driver was identified as Ruff. A search of the vehicle turned up three wax paper bags containing heroin in Ruff’s wallet along with a knife belonging to Ruff in the driver’s side door. Ruff was charged with possession of heroin and possession of a weapon and was later released.

Shooting Suspects Sought

SALISBURY — Salisbury Police this week are looking for suspects wanted in connection with a shooting early last Friday morning.

Around 4:30 a.m. last Friday, Salisbury Police responded to the Emory Court Parkside Apartments for a reported assault with a firearm that had taken place in the parking lot near the apartment pool complex. The investigation revealed the victim, identified as Danny Johnson, Jr., had sustained gunshot wounds to the upper portion of his torso. Johnson was transported to PRMC and is expected to make a full recovery.

Witnesses reported the unidentified suspects fled the area in a blue or silver passenger car.

Detectives are asking for the assistance of anyone who witnessed the assault at Emory Court, or who may have seen the victim at the bar prior to the incident to contact the Salisbury Police Criminal Investigation Division at 410-548-3165, or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Crime Solvers will pay up to $1,000 for tips that lead to an arrest.

Cocaine Dealer Sentenced

SALISBURY — A Nanticoke man was sentenced last week to nine years in jail for his role in a cocaine distribution ring in Salisbury and across the Eastern Shore.

U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander was week sentenced Anthony Hardy, 43, to nine years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute cocaine. According to his guilty plea, Hardy conspired with Maurice Hardy (no relation) and others to distribute cocaine. Anthony Hardy supplied Maurice Hardy with cocaine on several occasions during the course of the investigation and was overheard by law enforcement discussing drug transactions.

Maurice Hardy’s primary source of supply was Austin Roberts. In May 2011, Hardy indicated in a telephone call to Anthony Hardy that Roberts would be supplying him with seven kilograms of cocaine for $31,500 per kilogram. The next day in Salisbury, the transaction was consummated. The suspect’s vehicle was stopped and over $160,000 was seized from a hidden compartment.

On June 28, 2011, during a telephone call Anthony Hardy told Maurice Hardy that he had 12 kilograms of cocaine. Maurice Hardy agreed to purchase two kilograms at $33,000 per kilogram. According to his plea agreement, Anthony Hardy did not actually have 12 kilograms of cocaine in his possession.

That was reflected by the fact that the next day, Anthony Hardy met Maurice Hardy in Nanticoke and provided Maurice with just over one kilogram, and not the two kilograms as had been discussed. At that point, law enforcement stopped Maurice Hardy’s car and seized the cocaine.

Last week, Anthony Hardy was sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in the distribution scheme. Maurice Hardy had earlier pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 years. For his role in the conspiracy, Austin Roberts III, formerly of Elkridge, was sentenced to 19 years in prison.

Failure To Tag Oysters

SALISBURY — Two Easton men were charged with failing to tag oysters in Salisbury on Monday when police observed their truck full of bushels of oysters without displaying the proper license.

Just before noon on Monday, an officer on patrol in Salisbury noticed a truck filled with 24 bushel baskets of oysters. The truck did not display a tidal fish license number as required by state law and the bushel baskets were not properly tagged.

As a result, Severn Reid Mister, Jr., 57, of Easton and Cody Eugene Cavalier, 23, also of Easton, were each charged with 12 counts of failing to tag oysters. They are scheduled to appear in Wicomico County District Court in January. If found guilty on all counts, each could be fined a maximum of $6,600.

Heroin Guilty Plea

SNOW HILL — A Virginia man arrested on drug possession charges in May after getting pulled over for speeding on Route 113 near Snow Hill pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to a year in jail, all of which was suspended in favor of two years of probation and a $250 fine.

Around 9 a.m. on May 24, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy was traveling north on Route 113 in the area of Woodside Lane in Snow Hill when he  observed a vehicle traveling 70 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. A traffic stop was conducted during which the deputy asked the driver, identified as David Zani, 23, of Portsmouth, Va., for consent to search the vehicle.

Zani consented and the search turned up heroin and marijuana in the vehicle along with paraphernalia.

ATV Crackdown Urged

SALISBURY — Salisbury Police this week are asking for the public’s help in a crackdown on all-terrain vehicles operating on city streets.

Over the past several months, police have seen an increase in the number of calls for service involving off-road vehicles operating on city streets. This is presenting a safety concern not only for the operators of off-road motorcycles but for law-abiding motor vehicle operators as well.

Salisbury Police are asking anyone who observes such activity to call 410-548-3165. Callers can remain anonymous.