Five Arrested In Boardwalk Drug Operation

OCEAN CITY -- Five suspects were arrested, including two carrying replica handguns, during a Boardwalk drug sweep earlier this month.

From 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on June 2, the Ocean City Police Narcotics Unit and the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team conducted a plainclothes drug enforcement operation on the Boardwalk to target drug dealers and sellers. During the operation, detectives made a total of five arrests for distribution of marijuana.

During one of the incidents, detectives met three males on the Boardwalk near Dorchester Street and purchase marijuana. When uniformed officers moved in to arrest the suspects, two of the three resisted. The resisting suspects immediately tried to reach into the front waistband area of their pants, but they were quickly restrained with handcuffs.

After the suspects were detained, it was determined each had replica handguns in their waistbands. One was a replica Walther CP-99 and the other was a replica Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun. No injuries were reported. The suspects who resisted arrested and were found with replica handguns included Rashaun Jakeem Downs, 19, of Easton, along with a 14-year-old juvenile from Cambridge. Both were charged with possession and distribution of marijuana and possession of a concealed replica firearm.

Also arrested during the Boardwalk drug sweep were Kenneth Walter Stepp, 23, of Wilmington, Tavaugn Akeem Batson, 20, of Easton, and Kemroy Alvin Thompson, 19, of Beltsville. Each was charged with possession and distribution of marijuana.