OCEAN CITY – A Lewes, Del. man was in custody this week after allegedly raping a friend’s girlfriend in a resort hotel early Wednesday morning.
The suspect, Damon Mays, 34, of Lewes, was staying with friends at a hotel on 59th Street in Ocean City after the three had been out drinking earlier in the evening. The couple invited Mays to sleep on the -sofa in the hotel room rather than drive home, according to police reports.
Around 4:30 a.m., the victim, a 21-year-old Crownsville, Md. woman, awoke to discover Mays had allegedly removed her pants and had intercourse with her while she was unconscious, according to police reports. When the victim confronted Mays, he quickly left the room and fled.
Ocean City police detectives were able to locate Mays later on Wednesday in Ocean Pines and he was taken into custody without incident. He was arrested and charged with second-degree rape and second-degree assault. He is being held in the Worcester County Jail on a $150,000 bond.
Teens Arrested During Latest Boardwalk Robbery
OCEAN CITY – Three teens were arrested after striking and robbing a man on the Boardwalk last Friday in the latest case of what has become a disturbing trend this month.
Around 1 a.m. last Friday, OCPD officers responded to a reported robbery in progress on the Boardwalk around 23rd Street. The officers arrived to find the victim chasing three suspects. The officers gave chase on foot and eventually caught the three suspects and took them into custody.
The victim told police he was walking on the Boardwalk when one of the suspects approached him and asked if he wanted to buy drugs. The victim refused and walked away, but moments later, he was struck from behind and the three men grabbed his wallet and ran. OCPD officers caught the three suspects, identified as Duncan Spence, 18, of Annapolis; Jamar Patterson, 18, of Arnold; and Mitchell Matheson, 18, of Cordova.
Each of the suspects has been charged with robbery, second-degree assault and misdemeanor theft. Matheson was also charged with carrying a concealed deadly weapon after police found a butterfly knife in his pants pocket. Each of the three suspects is being held on $100,000 bonds.
The incident marked the 17th reported robbery in Ocean City since June 1. Over the past four years, there has been an average of 38 reported robberies annually. This year, a large number of both the victims and the suspects have been under the influence of alcohol. All of the victims and suspects have been between the ages of 17 and 26. Resort police have been able to solve nine of the 17 robberies to date.
Two Officers Injured In Scrap With Suspect
OCEAN CITY – Two veteran Ocean City police officers were treated at Atlantic General Hospital last week after getting injured while apprehending a theft suspect who was resisting arrest.
Last Friday, OCPD Corporal Lesa Breneman was approached by a man who reported his car had been broken into. One of the items stolen was the victim’s cell phone. While talking with police, the victim called his own cell phone number and heard his distinctive ring coming from a man standing nearby later identified as Jason Martin, 20, of Mohton, Pa.
Martin took off running and was pursued by Breneman and OCPD Cpl. Frank Wrench. The officers eventually caught and during a violent struggle, both Breneman and Wrench were injured and had to be taken to AGH for treatment. Wrench suffered a broken hand and is expected to be out for six to eight weeks. Breneman bruised her hand and was expected to miss two days.
Martin was arrested and charged with second-degree assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and theft. He is currently being held on a $75,000 bond.
Two Arrested In Car Theft Spree
OCEAN CITY – Two Pennsylvania men were arrested on Wednesday for a spree of car break-ins throughout the resort after a condo security officer observed the pair breaking into cars on his lot.
Shortly after 4 a.m. on Wednesday, OCPD officers were contacted by the security guard at the Marigot Beach condominium who had observed two young men later identified as Robert Ford, Jr., 19, of Reading, Pa., and Brandon Lonaberger, 18, of Limekiln, Pa., trying to enter cars on the condo’s parking lot. By the time OCPD officers responded, the two suspects had fled toward the beach.
They were apprehended a short time later, and when questioned about the break-ins, Ford and Lonaberger told police they had stolen items from several cars in the area and disclosed where they had hidden the stolen goods. Police then located backpacks containing numerous items including hood ornaments, cash, GPS systems, stereo equipment, wallets, sunglasses and other items.
OCPD officers were able to connect Ford and Lonaberger to at least six reported vehicle break-ins in the area. Ford and Lonaberger were each charged with theft, felony theft scheme and malicious destruction of property. Ford was also charged with possession of marijuana. Both men were in custody late Wednesday awaiting their appearance in front of District Court Commissioner.
Tried Biting Police Officers
OCEAN CITY – An Ocean City man detained last week for carrying a 3-month-old infant while riding a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol found himself in more trouble when he scuffled with police and attempted to bite two officers.
Around 5:30 p.m. last Thursday, OCPD Officer Eli Dunham was alerted by an Ocean City employee to be on the lookout for a man riding a bicycle while carrying an infant in the area of 15th Street. When the officer arrived, he found Ocean City EMS had already detained the suspect, later identified as Sergio Herrera Parajo, 22, of Ocean City, in order to check on the welfare of the three-month-old infant.
OC EMS personnel were holding the infant when the officer arrived. Dunham began to question Herrera about what had happened, but he refused to cooperate. As the officer was interviewing Herrera, he noticed the suspect exhibited signs of intoxication including a strong odor of alcohol emanating from his person, glassy and bloodshot eyes and balance problems.
Dunham instructed Herrera to sit on the curb while he continued his investigation, but the suspect refused to comply. He then launched into a verbal assault on Dunham and other officers who responded to the scene including expletives in both English and Spanish. At one point, Herrera yelled “[expletive deleted] you, Americano,” and “I’ll remember your face next time I see you.”
As Dunham attempted to search Herrera, the suspect trapped the officer’s arm between his own arm and his body and attempted to wrestle him to the ground. Dunham was able to get Hererra on the ground, but he refused to give up easily, kicking Dunham and other officers who responded to the scene. Herrera also attempted to bite Officer Brian Mitterling and clenched his teeth on Mitterling’s pants leg.
Herrera was finally subdued without further incident and charged with three counts of second-degree assault on an officer, disorderly conduct, reckless endangerment and driving, or in this case riding a bicycle, while under the influence of alcohol.
Drink Thrown On Cop Car
OCEAN CITY – A Huntington, Md. juvenile was arrested on malicious destruction of property, possession of marijuana and other charges last weekend after tossing a cup of water from a fast-food restaurant on an unmarked state police cruiser.
Around 4 a.m. last Saturday, Maryland State Police troopers observed a 17-year-old juvenile from Huntington, Md. throw a McDonald’s cup full of water at an unmarked state police cruiser, striking the vehicle’s windshield in the area of 31st Street in Ocean City. After a brief foot chase, the suspect was apprehended and placed under arrest.
During a search incident to the arrest, the juvenile was found to have 13 grams of marijuana in his shorts pocket along with paraphernalia. The juvenile was charged with disorderly conduct, littering, malicious destruction of property, and possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. He was charged as a juvenile and later released to his father through the Department of Juvenile Services.
Punches Thrown While Attempting To Steal Beer
OCEAN CITY – An Arnold, Md. man was arrested on assault and robbery charges last week after punching another man who refused to give up his two 18 packs of beer in the face two times.
Around 11 p.m. last Friday, OCPD Officer Joe Melena was on bicycle patrol in the area of 3rd Street and Baltimore Ave. when he was flagged down by a man bleeding from the mouth and spitting blood. The victim yelled to the officer, “get that guy, get him,” and “get the guy in the tank top, he just punched me in the face and threatened to steal my beer.”
The officer noted the victim was holding two 18 packs of Bud Light. The suspect ran off before the officer could detain him, but Melena provided a description of the man to OCPD Communications, which then broadcasted the description.
Melena was able to catch the suspect, later identified as Steven Parker Adams, 18, of Arnold, and when he asked Adams how the victim got a swollen lip, Adams first told police the victim must have bumped into him, but later admitted punching the victim in the face. Adams said he had not tried to steal the victim’s beer, however.
The officer then got the victim’s side of the story. The victim told police he was walking past Adams when Adams stopped him and asked him “why are you whoring my sister?” The victim told Adams he had no idea what he was talking about, then Adams allegedly said “give her two bucks to ride the bus.” The victim reportedly told Adams he was not going to give his sister two dollars for the bus and told her to walk like he was.
Adams then asked the victim to give up his beer, but the victim refused. According to police reports, Adams then told the victim he was going to count to four, and if the victim did not give up the beer, he was going to punch him in the face. The victim told police Adams counted to four at which point the victim attempted to walk away, but Adams hit the victim two times in the mouth with a closed fist.
It was at that point when Melena arrived on the scene and eventually detained Adams for questioning about the incident. The victim was brought over to identify his assailant as Adams, who was now seated on the curb in handcuffs. After a positive identification, Adams was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, attempted strong-arm robbery and attempted theft.
The victim refused treatment from OC EMS, although he did tell police two of his teeth were loosened during the assault.
Drug Dealer Sentenced
SNOW HILL – A Snow Hill man arrested on drug charges last September after getting pulled over by police on Route 50 with a wanted woman as his passenger pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to possession of cocaine and was sentenced to 18 months in jail with all but three months suspended.
On Sept. 1 of last year, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle on Hall Rd. near Route 50 in reference to a joint drug investigation between the sheriff’s office and the OCPD narcotics unit. The passenger in the vehicle, Georgianna Shockley, 35, of Snow Hill, was wanted by the OCPD on an outstanding arrest warrant for distribution of cocaine, and prior to stopping the vehicle, OCPD detectives made arrangements to purchase cocaine from her at Hall Rd.
After the stop, Shockley was arrested and charged with distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Meanwhile, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Ricky Anthony Johnson, of Snow Hill, was found with 23 individually wrapped bags of cocaine and crack cocaine as well as nearly $1,400 in cash. Johnson was also arrested and charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Last week in Circuit Court, Johnson pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and was sentenced to 18 months in jail with all but three suspended. He was also placed on probation for two years and fined $500. Earlier this year, Shockley pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine and was sentenced to four years in jail with all but 18 months suspended. She was also fined $500 and placed on two years probation.
Berlin Fire Ruled Arson
BERLIN – The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office has determined the fire last Saturday night that totally consumed a barn on Gray’s Corner Rd. in Berlin not far from Ocean Downs was intentionally set and are calling the blaze an arson.
The fire was reported around 10:20 p.m. last Saturday at a unoccupied barn on Gray’s Corner Rd. Witnesses leaving nearby Ocean Downs after the opening night of live racing at the track reported the barn completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters from the Berlin Volunteer Fire Company responded and were able to get the blaze under control, but the structure was completely destroyed. No injuries were reported.
The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office this week investigated the fire and determined it was set intentionally. Anyone with more information about the arson is encouraged to contact authorities at 410-632-5666, or call the arson hotline at 800-492-7529.
Payback Time
SNOW HILL – One of three suspects convicted in the armed robbery of the Wal-Mart in Berlin last September was in Circuit Court last week for a restitution hearing and was ordered to pay back over $5,700 to the store.
Eugene Stewart III, 19, of Mardela Springs, returned to Circuit Court last week for a restitution hearing. Stewart was found guilty of theft conspiracy over $500 earlier this year and was sentenced to three years in jail with all but 18 months suspended, but was brought back to court last week to determine what he should be ordered to pay back to the victim in the crime, Wal-Mart. Stewart was ordered to pay back $5,733 in restitution.
Brown’s co-conspirators in the armed robbery, Lorenzo Buggs, 21, of Mardela Springs, and Eugene Stewart III, also of Mardela Springs, pleaded guilty earlier this year in Circuit Court and will also be spending 18 months in jail for their part in the robbery and have also been ordered to participate in the restitution to Wal-Mart.
The incident began with a knife-point hold-up at the Wal-Mart last Sept. 3 and included a high speed chase across northern Worcester County before the getaway car ran out of gas on a country road in Wicomico County. The investigation revealed the three suspects drove to the Wal-Mart with the intention of robbing it. Brown reportedly waited in the car, a green Honda Accord, while Buggs and Stewart went inside. According to police reports, Stewart made a purchase at a cash register and Buggs followed immediately behind and pointed a knife at the cashier.
The cashier surrendered the money in the drawer and the suspects fled the store. They reportedly got back into the Honda Accord. Witnesses called the state police with a description of the vehicle involved and the direction it headed, and one private citizen followed behind in an effort to keep the suspect’s vehicle in sight before losing it near the Maryland/Delaware line as various law enforcement agencies converged on the area.
A Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy located the vehicle as it turned first on Route 610 before heading west on Route 346 at a high rate of speed. The deputy lost sight of the vehicle when it turned off its headlights while traveling an estimated 130 mph. The vehicle eventually ran out of gas and came to rest in a private driveway in Willards in Wicomico County, and the suspects fled on foot.
A perimeter was established involving Maryland State Police from both the Berlin and Salisbury barracks, Worcester and Wicomico Sheriff’s Departments, MSP Aviation and Natural Resources Police. A short time later, Brown was apprehended by a Wicomico County sheriff’s deputy on the perimeter at Route 346 and Bent Pine Rd.
Jail In Car Theft Case
SNOW HILL – An Ocean City man convicted in April of rogue and vagabond after getting caught attempting to steal a vehicle from a residence in Snow Hill last October was sentenced last week to two years in jail.
Dean Louis Waters, 30, who is no stranger to the local legal system, appeared in Circuit Court last week to face sentencing for a rogue and vagabond conviction stemming from an incident last October when he attempted to steal a vehicle from a residence in Snow Hill. Waters was sentenced to two years in jail for each of two rogue and vagabond convictions, which he will serve concurrent to other sentences imposed upon him for earlier convictions.
Around 4:20 a.m. on Oct. 27, Maryland State Police received a 911 call from a resident in Snow Hill reporting there was an intoxicated and possibly armed man in their front yard. The victim also told police the suspect, later identified as Waters, was attempting to steal their car.
While still on the 911 call, the state police radioed the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department who responded to the scene. Sheriff’s deputies soon located the suspect, later identified as Waters, walking down Snow Hill Rd. and he was taken into custody without incident. It was later discovered Waters was attempting to steal a motor vehicle to provide him with a ride home to Ocean City. He was charged with two counts of rogue and vagabond. It turned out Waters was not armed as suspected.