WEST OCEAN CITY- Multiple law enforcement agencies last week teamed up on the arrest of an alleged significant heroin dealer operating in Worcester and lower Delaware at a parking lot in West Ocean City.
Last week, the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team initiated a joint heroin distribution investigation with the Delaware State Police, the Sussex Drug Unit and the Ocean City Police Department. The investigation focused on Peter Paul DeMarie III, 35, of Selbyville, who was known by the Criminal Enforcement Team and the OCPD as an alleged major source of supply of heroin as well as cocaine and marijuana.
The investigation revealed DeMarie’s alleged criminal activity took him across state lines. Last Wednesday, the Criminal Enforcement Team located DeMarie at a business parking lot in West Ocean City and took him into custody. A search of DeMarie’s person turned up 751 individually wrapped bags of suspected heroin and $1,150 in currency.
As a result of the coordinated effort, the Delaware State Police and the Sussex Drug Unit obtained a search and seizure warrant for DeMarie’s residence in Selbyville. During the search, detectives located a Hi-Point .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun, 1,784 grams, or nearly four pounds, of marijuana, 194 grams of suspected cocaine, 950 individual bags of heroin, over 26 grams of methamphetamine, 82 individual oxycodone tablets, two ecstasy tablets, 36 individual Suboxone strips and over $16,000 in currency. DeMarie was charged with multiple CDS crimes in Maryland and charges are still pending in Delaware. He is being held in Worcester on a $250,000 bond.
Jail Sentence for Knife Attack
OCEAN CITY- A Pennsylvania man was arrested in July after allegedly threatening three other individuals with a knife before getting disarmed and locked on a balcony pleaded guilty last week to second-degree assault and was sentenced to six months in jail, all but one month of which was then suspended.
Around 2:24 a.m. on July 30, Ocean City Police responded to a condominium at 51st Street for a report of a man threatening a group of individuals with a knife. When an OCPD officer arrived and met with the three victims, he noticed the unit was in disarray with broken glass strewn across the floor and garbage dumped out and spread around the condo suggesting a struggle had taken place. One of the victims had a cut on her foot from the broken glass.
The injured victim told police the incident began as an argument between her and the suspect, identified as Douglas R. Groff, 37, of Ephrata, Pa., over vacation plans with other friends also in Ocean City. The victim wanted to meet with friends while Groff did not, according to police reports. During the argument, Groff told the victim he was taking her car to “blow off some steam” and eventually took the vehicle without her permission.
Groff and the three eventual victims in the alleged knife attack were at a nearby bar when the first victim got into another argument with the suspect. Groff then left the bar and went back to the rental unit on 51st Street. The three victims came back to the unit later, but Groff attempted to keep them from entering. The victims were able to get into the unit and another argument started between Groff and the first female victim.
Another male victim attempted to break up the altercation, at which time Groff allegedly went into the kitchen a got a fixed blade knife from a drawer. According to the victims, Groff then raised the knife as if he was going to stab someone. Two female victims tackled Groff to the floor and the male victim then stepped on his arm and removed the knife from Groff’s hand.
After the victims were able to disarm Groff, the suspect then went to the balcony. One of the female victims then went over and locked the sliding glass door, essentially locking Groff on the balcony. Groff allegedly attempted to get back into the unit, throwing a chair at the glass door. The OCPD officer noted in his report the sliding glass door had spider web cracks throughout it.
The victim then told Groff she was calling the police, at which point Groff climbed down from the third-floor balcony and fled across the beach. Groff later returned to the unit at 51st Street and was taken into custody. Last week, Groff pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and was sentenced to six months, all but one of which was then suspended. He was also fined $500 and placed on probation for two years upon his release.
Deputy Nearly Hit Head-On
STOCKTON- A Pocomoke woman was arrested on suspected drunk-driving charges on Tuesday after allegedly nearly hitting a Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputy’s car head-on on a rural road in Stockton.
Around 12:50 a.m. on Tuesday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputy was traveling eastbound on Stockton Rd. when a 2001 Dodge Neon was observed heading westbound. The deputy observed the vehicle cross the center line on a curve and begin to travel westbound in the eastbound lane. The deputy had to take evasive action to avoid being hit head-on by the vehicle.
The deputy was able to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver was identified as Teresa Lynn Space, 46, of Pocomoke. The deputy recognized Space allegedly had slurred speech, and bloodshot and glassy eyes. She was administered field sobriety tests, which she failed to complete to the officer’s satisfaction. Space was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and driving while impaired, reckless driving, negligent driving and failure to reduce speed on a curve.
Armed Robbers Sought
SALISBURY- Salisbury Police this week are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspects wanted in connection with an assault on a convenience store clerk on Wednesday.
Around 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Salisbury Police responded to the 7-11 store on Springhill Rd. for a reported armed robbery. The investigation determined two suspects entered the store and assaulted the clerk with a brick and a large piece of wood. The suspects stole cigars before fleeing on foot. The clerk received minor injuries during the incident and did not require medical attention.
The first suspect is described as an African-American male wearing a white jacket and dark pants at the time of the incident. The second suspect is described as a African-American male wearing all dark clothing. Both suspects were wearing gloves and a shirt or similar article of clothing covering their faces. The Salisbury Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspects. Anyone with information is urged to contact Salisbury Police at (410) 548-3165, or Crime Solvers at (410) 548-1776.
Hiding in Closet Again
OCEAN CITY- A Berlin woman wanted on outstanding warrants in Worcester County was taken into custody last week after Sheriff’s Deputies found her in a closet at a residence on 52nd Street in Ocean City, making it the second time she has been found hiding in closets from police.
Around 8 a.m. last Friday, Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a residence on 52nd Street in Ocean City in attempt to locate Tristen Ann Vice, 29, of Berlin, who was wanted on two outstanding Worcester County Circuit Court warrants. After speaking with the homeowner, deputies determined Vice was located somewhere in the residence. Deputies searched the residence and found Vice hiding in a closet.
During a subsequent search, deputies hypodermic syringes and a glass pipe on Vice’s person and she was charged with possession of CDS and paraphernalia. She was taken before a District Court Commissioner, who released her on her own recognizance for the drug charges, but ordered her held without bail for the outstanding Circuit Court warrants.
Last Friday’s incident marked the second time Vice was found hiding in a closet by police. Last June 15, Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputies searched a residence on Assateague Rd. looking for Vice, who was wanted at that time on outstanding warrants. Again, Vice was found that time hiding in a closet and was taken into custody.
Nearly All Pass St. Pat’s Compliance Checks
OCEAN CITY- Worcester County liquor licensees were apparently on high alert during last weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities as 35 passed compliance checks for underage drinking conducted by Worcester County Sheriff’s Office cadets and only one failed.
Last Saturday, in the midst of the St. Patrick’s Day hoopla, despite the cancellation of the parade, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office conducted alcohol compliance checks at locations throughout the county. A total of 36 businesses were checked and only one sold to an underage person. The only business that sold to an underage cadet was Whiskers Bar and Grill in Ocean Pines. The Sheriff’s Office this week thanked the businesses for constantly working to keep alcohol out of the hands of minors.
Among those who passed the alcohol compliance checks last weekend were Raceway Citgo, Kaddy Mart, the West O Bottle Shop, Casey’s Corner, Locals Beer and Wine, Newark Station, Town Market Basket, the Duck In in Snow Hill, all of the 7-11 stores in Ocean City, the 7-11 in Ocean Pines, the 85th Street Wine Rack, the Montego Bay Supermarket, the Royal Farm Store on Coastal Highway, Shop Kwik, Cheers, Your Store, Pit Stop Beer and Wine, Friendship Food Market, Southside Deli, Assawoman Ale Shop, Late Nite Liquor and Wine, Don’s Seafood, Goose Creek, Duck In in Pocomoke, Pocomoke Beer and Wine, OC Dollar Store, Mitchell’s Market, Greenhouse Deli, Johnny’s Pizza, and the 64th Street Market.