Dave Weatherholtz
WEST OCEAN CITY — A West Ocean City business owner was arrested for sexual solicitation of a minor this week after allegedly engaging in sexually explicit conversations and referring to other sexual encounters he had with underage boys.
On Dec. 3, Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detectives began a a probe into a suspected on-line child solicitation case in West Ocean City. WCBI detectives made contact with a suspect, later identified as David Edward Weatherholtz, 55, owner of the O.C. Jamboree in West Ocean City who is also a guitar instructor.
During the investigation, a WCBI detective pretended to be a 13-year-old juvenile male. Over the course of the next two weeks, Weatherholtz allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations and made numerous references to other sexual encounters he had with underage boys.
Weatherholtz made arrangements to meet the alleged juvenile on Tuesday. Upon arrival at the pre-determined meeting place, Weatherholtz was taken into custody and charged with sexual solicitation of a minor. As of mid-week, he was being held at the Worcester County Jail on a $75,000 bond.
Based on comments Weatherholtz made to detectives, it is believed that there may be additional unidentified victims who have either take guitar lessons from the suspect or have been involved in theater productions at the O.C. Jamboree in West Ocean City. Anyone with more information is urged to contact WCBI Detective-Corporal Alex Kagan at 410-632-1111 or [email protected].
DUI Chase, Collision
OCEAN PINES — An Ocean Pines man was arrested on drunk-driving charges on Tuesday after leading police on a brief chase before crashing into a ditch and ultimately colliding with a law enforcement vehicle.
Shortly before 1 a.m. on Tuesday, a Maryland State Police trooper was on marked patrol in the area of Route 90 and St. Martin’s Neck Rd. when a vehicle traveling 70 mph in a 55 mph zone was observed. The trooper activated his emergency equipment, but the driver, later identified as Scott Buchanan, 41, of Ocean Pines failed to stop.
The trooper pursued the Chevy truck into the north gate of Ocean Pines. Once in the area of Ocean Parkway and Royal Park Drive, Buchanan lost control, drove off the roadway and into a ditch. Buchanan then drove back onto the roadway and attempted to drive around the trooper’s patrol vehicle, but his vehicle struck the patrol car on the front quarter panel.
Buchanan then drove roughly one mile before coming to a stop. Buchanan was arrested without further incident and was charged with driving under the influence and possession of prescription medication. The damage to both vehicles was minor and no injuries were reported. Buchanan was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was ordered to be held on a $7,000 bond.
Shoplifting Arrest
BERLIN — A Millsboro man was arrested on theft charges last week after allegedly rolling out of the Wal-Mart in Berlin with hundreds of dollars in merchandise in a cart without paying.
Around 4 p.m. last Wednesday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the Wal-Mart on Route 50 for a reported theft. The deputy met with the store’s asset protection specialist, who had a suspect identified as Cornell Brinkley Smith, 30, of Millsboro, in custody.
Wal-Mart staffers told the deputy Smith had stolen a number of items valued at nearly $588. A surveillance video showed Smith pushing a shopping cart containing the stolen items out the front door of the store without paying. Smith was placed under arrest for theft and was issued a criminal citation before being released.
Foul Play Ruled Out In Body Found In Ditch
STOCKTON — The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office this week reported the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a deceased Philadelphia woman found along a roadside ditch in Stockton last week appears to be medical in nature.
Around 10:30 a.m. last Wednesday, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Route 366 in Stockton after a driver for Waste Management saw a small, silver Honda Civic on the side of the road between Bird Hill Rd. and Little Mill Rd. Upon closer inspection, the driver observed someone lying in the roadside ditch. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate and when deputies arrived on the scene, they located a 78-year-old white female deceased in the ditch.
The initial investigation has revealed the deceased, identified as Hazel Virginia O’Neill, 78, of Philadelphia, was seen at approximately 4:55 p.m. on Tuesday by a passerby, who saw an elderly white female in a small silver vehicle being pushed off to the side of the road by a UPS driver and another person. The witness told detectives when she drove back through the same area about an hour later on Tuesday, the vehicle was on the side of the road with the parking lights on, but the witness did not see the female individual.
The vehicle was registered to the deceased. The victim was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. This week, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed the circumstances surrounding the death appear to be medical in nature.
Public’s Help Sought In Bank Robbery
SALISBURY — Salisbury Police is seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect wanted in connection with an armed bank robbery last Friday.
Around 9 a.m. last Friday, Salisbury Police responded to the Hebron Savings Bank on Riverside Drive for a reported armed robbery. The investigation revealed a masked suspect entered the bank, displayed a handgun and demanded money. The suspect proceeded to each teller demanding cash from each drawer and the employees provided the suspect with money.
The suspect then fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash. Salisbury Police conducted a K-9 search of the area, but the track was unsuccessful. No injuries were reported. The Salisbury Police Department is being assisted in the investigation by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.
The suspect is described as a male of unknown race, about 5’5” and 180 pounds. At the time of the robbery, the suspect was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, white gloves and a white-brimmed baseball cap with the word “Troy” written on the brim. The suspect’s face was covered with a black bandana and he was carrying a black handgun.
The investigation is ongoing and police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3113 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
Cabbie Robbed With Replica Handgun
SALISBURY — Two of three suspects apprehended after an attempted strong-armed robbery of a Salisbury cab driver involving a replica handgun last week are being charged as adults.
Around 7:45 p.m. last Tuesday, Salisbury Police responded to the area of Smith Street for a reported robbery. The investigation revealed a Bailey’s Taxi driver picked up three juveniles in Fruitland and was asked to drive them to Smith Street in Salisbury. During the ride, one of the suspects pushed an object to the back of the head of the victim.
Feeling what he believed to be a handgun at the back of his head, the victim stopped the taxi on Smith Street. The suspects then began to assault the victim and went through his pockets, but the cabbie was able to fight the suspects off and force them to exit the vehicle.
What was originally believed to be a real handgun turned out to be an airsoft replica handgun. During the confrontation in the cab, the replica gun was broken in half and recovered. The suspects then fled the scene on foot in different directions. The victim was treated on the scene by EMS for facial injuries.
During the subsequent investigation, one juvenile suspect was located, arrested and charged with attempted robbery. A second suspect was later located and faces the same charges. A third suspect had not been identified as of mid-week and the investigation is ongoing. The juvenile suspects were released to the Wicomico County Detention Center where they have been automatically waived to adult status. They are identified as a 16-year-old juvenile and a 15-year-old juvenile both from Salisbury.