Friday, November 28–Resort Police Led On Chases In Separate Incidents

OCEAN CITY – Resort police had a busy day last Saturday chasing down suspects fleeing on foot in two unrelated incidents within 24 hours of each other including one involving an unattended vehicle crashing and its driver later being bitten by a K-9 dog.

The crazy turn of events started around 1:30 a.m. last Saturday when OCPD officers attempted to stop a green Ford Taurus they had observed earlier in the evening with its occupants acting suspiciously. When police attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver eluded the officers and led them on a chase through the downtown area for several blocks down side streets and through parking lots. At different times during the chase, the vehicle drove over curbs and onto sidewalks.

Finally, police followed the vehicle into a parking lot on Somerset Street at which point the driver, later identified as B.J. Howard Jackson, 21, of Frankford, Del., jumped out of the moving car and fled on foot. The unattended vehicle continued forward, smashing into a tree in the parking lot. Additional OCPD officers, including a K-9 unit, responded to the area to help search for the missing driver.

During the search, OCPD K-9 dog Charlie located Jackson hiding behind a large shrub. While police attempted to take Jackson into custody, K-9 dog Charlie bit the suspect. Ocean City EMS responded to treat Jackson for his injuries, but the suspect refused medical treatment.

The subsequent investigation revealed Jackson was using the vehicle without the owner’s permission. A computer check also revealed Jackson was wanted by the Maryland State Police for a similar fleeing and eluding incident. Jackson was ultimately arrested and charged with 21 separate traffic offenses from reckless and negligent driving to driving the wrong way on a one-way street to failure to remain at the scene of an accident. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was ordered held on a $100,000 bond.

Several hours later, a similar incident involving a driver fleeing from police on foot unfolded. Around 7 p.m. last Saturday, OCPD officers stopped a green Dodge Neon for a traffic offense. The driver pulled into the Gold Coast Mall parking lot, but could not produce a driver’s license or any valid identification when questioned by police. While OCPD officers were attempting to verify the identity and status of the driver, the suspect fled from the vehicle on foot and ran south on Coastal Highway.

Police were unable to catch the driver at the time, but during the course of their investigation, officers were able to identify him as Leck McGlannan Lyons, 34, of Bethany Beach. OCPD officers also learned Lyons’ driver’s license was suspended and they were able to secure an arrest warrant for him for fleeing and eluding police as well as driving a vehicle on a suspended license.

Later in the evening, armed with an arrest warrant, resort police were able to learn Lyons’ whereabouts. Around 10:30 p.m., OCPD officers responded to a residence on Fisherman Lane, located the suspect and placed him under arrest on the charges described in the warrant. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and held on a $10,000 bond.