BERLIN — One day after assaulting a Berlin police officer during a traffic stop and touching off a manhunt through the town, authorities located the suspect in the case in Salisbury.
The Berlin Police Department enlisted the help of a fugitive task force last week in its effort to locate DaMar Collins, 26, of Berlin.
Collins was sought after eluding police when the vehicle he was driving was pulled over near Artisan’s Way last Wednesday afternoon. After the traffic stop, an officer attempted to place Collins under arrest for driving while suspended, but Collins fought the officer and kicked him in the face. The police officer sustained non-life threatening injuries, but the officer needed medical care.
Collins was able to flee the scene and head down Jefferson Street in Berlin to Washington Street, touching off a massive manhunt throughout Berlin, resulting in road closures and police stationed through the downtown corridor.
At one point, residents along Washington Street reported Collins was seen jumping fences and running through backyards. It was around this point that police reportedly lost sight of Collins.
At some point, while fleeing police, Collins reportedly broke a window in a residence on N. Main Street and entered the home briefly before exiting.
Later last Wednesday evening, property owners in Berlin reported police were searching their outbuildings for Collins, who police said witnesses had reportedly spotted along Broad Street. Properties nearby were searched with officers and a K-9 participating, and residents were ordered to remain inside while it was conducted. Police Chief Arnold Downing said at that time he believed it was an accurate sighting.
Maryland State Police troopers, a MSP Aviation Unit and deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office assisted Berlin police in the unsuccessful search during Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Last Thursday evening, the local fugitive task force located Collins in Salisbury and he was arrested without incident. He has been charged with assault, burglary, driving while suspended and fleeing and eluding.
Collins is no stranger to law enforcement. Collins was sentenced to three years in jail in 2010 after being found guilty of distribution of crack cocaine. He was released earlier this year and was to be on three years of probation. Court records indicate Collins was charged with second-degree assault on April 15 and is to appear in court in Snow Hill on June 25.
Collins is being held at the Worcester County Jail on a $25,000 bond.