BERLIN – Worcester County Bureau of Investigation detectives this week are looking for the suspect or suspects who broke into a Berlin pharmacy last week and stole an undisclosed amount of prescription medicine.
Around 9:20 p.m. on March 8, Berlin Police officers responded to the Apple Drugs pharmacy on Franklin Ave. for a reported burglar alarm. The investigation revealed an unknown suspect or suspects forcible entered the store and stole an undetermined amount of prescription medicine.
Berlin Police, with the assistance of Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputies, searched the area for suspects, but the search was fruitless. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact WCBI at 410-352-3476, or Berlin Police at 410-641-1333.
Warned Not to Drive
OCEAN CITY – A Berlin man was arrested on crack cocaine possession charges this week after failing to obey an order not to return to his car after police learned his license was suspended.
Around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, an OCPD officer responded to a residence on Teal Drive for a report of a suspicious male banging on the door of the residence. The officer met with the suspect, later identified as Jonathan Chase Nichols, 23, of Berlin, and asked him if his license was suspended. Nichols told the officer his license was suspended, but that he had just finished the driver improvement program.
OCPD officers contacted the resident who said she did not know Nichols and did not want him on the property. Police communications, meanwhile, confirmed Nichols’ license was suspended. Nichols told police he had driven to Teal Drive to look for a former employer from which he wanted to borrow money. Nichols was told to leave his vehicle, a gold GMC Envoy, and to not drive. Nichols then left the area on foot per the officer’s instructions.
About three hours later, however, the same officer observed Nichols walking to his vehicle and driving off. The officer observed Nichols fail to come to a stop traveling east on 15th Street onto St. Louis Ave. The officer followed Nichols before pulling him over on St. Louis Ave. at 8th Street. When asked why he purposely drove on a suspended license when the officer had earlier warned him not to, Nichols allegedly responded “because man, it’s so [expletive deleted] cold,” according to police reports. Nichols was then arrested for driving on a suspended license.
During a search of the vehicle incident to the arrest, police found a burnt glass pipe in the center console and a burnt metal “Chore Boy” containing crack cocaine residue. The officer also located a Diet Coke can fashioned into a smoking device behind the passenger seat with burnt crack cocaine residue on it. Nichols was then also charged with possession of crack cocaine and possession of paraphernalia.
Protective Order Violation
BERLIN – A Millsboro, Del. man was arrested last week for violating a protective order when police learned he was not supposed to be in contact with the female driver of a vehicle in which he was a passenger.
Shortly after 3 p.m. last Wednesday, a Maryland State Police trooper pulled over a vehicle on Route 50 near its intersection with Route 610 for a routine traffic violation. A computer check of the driver revealed she was the protected party in a protective order out of the state of New Jersey. The officer then learned the front seat passenger in the vehicle, identified as Charles Michael Rogozinski, 44, of Millsboro, was the subject of the protective order and was prohibited by the court from being in contact with the vehicle’s driver.
Rogozinski was subsequently arrested for violating an out-of-state protective order. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and later released on a $10,000 bond.
House Robbed
BERLIN – Maryland State Police this week are looking for the suspect or suspects wanted in connection with a burglary in the Glen Riddle community two weeks ago.
On Feb. 28, a Maryland State Police trooper responded to a residence on Maid at Arms Lane for a reported burglary. The investigation revealed an unknown suspect or suspects had broken into the residence and committed a theft. Numerous DVDs, costume jewelry and a globe were among the items taken from the residence. Anyone with information abot the burglary is urged to call the MSP Berlin barrack at 410-641-3101.
Chocolate Sauce Left
Behind From Break-In
BERLIN – State Police this week are looking for the suspect or suspects who last week broke into a West Ocean City home, broke several mirrors and other glass items and sprinkled chocolate sauce all over the walls and carpet.
Last week, a Maryland State Police trooper responded to a residence on Golf Course Rd. in West Ocean City for a reported burglary. The investigation revealed an unknown suspect or suspects had broken into the residence and committed multiple acts of malicious destruction of property. The incident occurred sometime between March 6 and March 9.
Numerous mirrors and other glass items were broken. In addition, the stove was damaged by an unknown item. To add insult to injury, the suspects also drizzled chocolate sauce all over the walls and carpet in the residence. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call the Maryland State Police at 410-641-3101.
For Sale Signs Damaged
BERLIN – More malicious destruction of property occurred last week in the Glen Riddle community when an unknown suspect or suspects kicked over “for sale” signs on several vacant lots.
A Maryland State Police trooper was on patrol last week when he was alerted to multiple acts of malicious destruction of property along Maid at Arms Lane in Glen Riddle. The investigation revealed a suspect or suspects had kicked over several for sale signs on eight vacant lots along the lane and some of the signs were damaged in the process. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call the MSP Berlin barrack at 410-641-3101.
Fine For Indecent Exposure
OCEAN CITY – An Odenton man arrested in February for exposing his private parts for all to see from a Boardwalk motel balcony was found guilty this week of indecent exposure and was fined $1,000.
Shortly after 10 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8, an OCPD officer responded to the area of 1st Street and the Boardwalk for a reported indecent exposure. The officer met with a witness who reported a white male exposing his genitals from a fifth floor unit. The witness explained the suspect, later identified as John Robert Swinglish, 64, of Odenton, exited the room fully naked and walked out on the balcony. Swinglish reportedly stood there for several minutes and turned around several times.
The witness told police, “he was parading, or like showing off, but I don’t know what he was showing off,” according to police reports. The witness told police Swinglish was deliberately exposing himself to Boardwalk patrons. While the officer was talking to the witness, Swinglish allegedly came out on the balcony again and repeated his display. When Swinglish saw the officer, he reportedly turned around quickly and went back in the room.
The officer went to the room and spoke to Swinglish, who admitted somebody in the neighboring rooms could have seen him naked. He apologized for being nude on the balcony, but he was arrested and charged with two counts of indecent exposure. In District Court last week, Swinglish was found guilty on one count of indecent exposure and was fined $1,000.
Missing Mother, Daughter OK
BERLIN – A mother and daughter reported missing last week after last being seen or heard from since March 11 were found safe and sound three days later.
Last week, the Maryland State Police Berlin barrack announced they were seeking the public’s help in locating Amy Elizabeth Gears, 34, and her daughter Jessica Elizabeth Gears, 8, after the two individuals were last seen on Trappe Rd. in Berlin around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11. State police provided descriptions of the mother and daughter and announced they were possibly in a burgundy 1995 Saturn at the location.
On Saturday, the state police announced the mother and daughter had been located and that they had relocated to a residence outside Maryland. The also stated in a release no criminal acts had occurred in the case.
Suspended Sentence
For Teen Sex Offense
SNOW HILL – An Ocean City man arrested on rape and assault charges in December after admitting to police he had sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl on multiple occasions over the year prior appeared in court last week for the first of two trial connected to the charges and pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree sex offense and was sentenced to a year in jail, all of which was suspended in favor of a fine and probation.
Christopher Michael Shockley, 20, of Ocean City, appeared in Circuit Court last week to face multiple charges in the first phase of the case against him from an alleged sexual assault on the 13-year-old girl in November 2007. Shockley pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree sex offense and was sentenced to a year in jail, all of which was suspended but the time he spent in jail awaiting trial. He was also fined $500 and placed on probation for two years.
On Nov. 30, 2007, Ocean City police arrested Shockley for outstanding warrants related to a malicious destruction of property case dating back to July. While being interviewed, Shockley allegedly made statements to OCPD officers regarding sexual conduct with a juvenile that occurred in both Ocean City and Berlin over a year ago.
Based on that information, Berlin Police also interviewed Shockley at which time he admitted to having sexual intercourse with a juvenile female behind the Food Lion in Berlin during November 2007. The investigation revealed the victim was 13 years old at the time, while the suspect was 18. Subsequently, Shockley was charged with second-degree rape, a third- and fourth-degree sex offense and first- and second-degree assault.
Shockley still faces other charges related to the sexual assault on the young girl including a fourth-degree sex offense and second-degree assault. He is scheduled to appear for trial in that separate case on April 1.
Second Of Resort
Burglars Convicted
SNOW HILL – The second of two Ocean City residents arrested in October on theft, burglary and other charges after resort police found them in possession of goods reported stolen from a neighbor’s apartment pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to fourth-degree burglary and was sentenced to 18 months in jail, all of which was suspended in favor of probation.
David Jarrett Zik, 29, of Ocean City, appeared in Circuit Court last week to face a variety of charges related to an incident in the resort last October. Zik pleaded guilty to fourth-degree burglary and was sentenced to 18 months in jail. His sentence was then suspended and he was placed on probation for two years.
Around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, an OCPD officer responded to a residence on 43rd Street in reference to a burglary that had already occurred. The officer met with the victims, who said they had left the unit on Tuesday and returned on Wednesday morning to discover their home had been burglarized and several video gaming systems, digital cameras and wet suits had been stolen. The total amount of the theft was estimated at around $2,000.
OCPD officers began canvassing the neighborhood, checking with area residents to see if they had seen or heard anything related to the burglary. The initial officer on the scene went to one nearby residence and spoke to the occupants, identified as Lauren Elizabeth Blevins, 19, and Robert Curtis Hoffmaster, 28, both of Ocean City.
While the officer was talking to Blevins and Hoffmaster, he observed items of drug paraphernalia in the unit and also located a wet suit that matched the description of the wet suit reported stolen. During the subsequent investigation, Hoffmaster admitted he and another occupant of his unit, later identified as Zik, had burglarized the other unit in question and stole various items. Police were then able to recover many of the stolen items.
Blevins was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Hoffmaster was arrested and charged with first-, third-, and fourth degree burglary and theft over $500. Police then obtained an arrest warrant for Zik and he was later charged with first-, third-, and fourth-degree burglary as well as theft over $500.
Blevins had the charges against her dropped in District Court in January, while Hoffmaster appeared in Circuit Court last week and was found guilty. He awaits his fate pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation.
Assault Appeal Dropped
OCEAN CITY – An Arnold man convicted of second-degree assault last month for allegedly punching another man who refused to give up his two 18 packs of beer in June dropped his appeal in Circuit Court this week and will resume serving his 90-day sentence.
Steven Parker Adams, 18, of Arnold, was arrested in June and charged with assault and other offenses after allegedly attacking another man and attempting to steal his beer. Last month, Adams was found guilty of second-degree assault and sentenced to 90 days in jail. He later appealed the conviction to Circuit Court and was scheduled for an hearing last week, but he later dropped the appeal.
Around 11 p.m. on June 13, 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.
Fine For Pot Bust
SNOW HILL – One of two Ocean City men arrested on drug charges in December after the OCPD’s Quick Response Team (QRT) raided two uptown condominium units pleaded guilty this week to possession of marijuana and was fined $500.
Around 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 11, the QRT and members of the OCPD’s narcotics unit served search warrants simultaneously on two condo units on Newport Bay Drive. At the first location, resort police found a silver, foil smoking device containing marijuana residue in one of the bedrooms. They detained one resident of the unit, and when they questioned him about the paraphernalia, the suspect told police it was found in a room occupied by Timmy Alexander Wilson, 19, of Ocean City. Wilson was later arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.
Meanwhile, other officers were searching a different unit on Newport Bay Drive and found another suspect, later identified as Leon Harvey, 22, of Ocean City sitting on his bed. Harvey agreed to allow police to search his room and a small amount of marijuana was found in a trashcan. A search of Harvey’s person revealed an electronic scale with marijuana residue on it in his pocket. Harvey was also charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. This week, Harvey pleaded guilty to possession and was fined $500. Wilson is set to appear for trial on May 18.