STOCKTON — A local man was arrested on burglary and other charges last week after allegedly kicking in the front door of a residence in Stockton.
Around 10:45 p.m. last Saturday, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported burglary in progress at a residence on George’s Island Landing Drive in Stockton. Upon arrival, a deputy met with a victim who said the front door of the residence had been kicked in by a suspect later identified as Eric Todd Apgar of Stockton. The investigation revealed Apgar had tried to gain entry to the residence through the back door, but was unsuccessful He then proceeded to the front of the residence where he was able to kick in the door and destroy it in the process.
Apgar then fled the scene on foot, but was located a short time later and taken into custody. He was charged with fourth-degree burglary and malicious destruction of property. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was released on his own recognizance.
Pot Found In Traffic Stop
WEST OCEAN CITY — Two suspects were arrested on marijuana possession charges last week after a routine traffic stop for speeding in West Ocean City.
Around 10:25 p.m. last Thursday, a Maryland State Police trooper conducting moving radar in the area of Route 611 and Sunset Ave. in West Ocean City stopped a white Ford Explorer for a speeding violation. Upon making contact with the driver, identified as Ethan Cruice, and the passenger, identified as Natalie Cheng, the trooper detected an overwhelming odor of marijuana coming from the passenger compartment.
A probable cause search of the vehicle turned up nearly five grams of marijuana and two glass smoking devices. The two suspects were placed under arrest and transported to the MSP barrack in Berlin for processing before being issued criminal citations and released.
Stabbings In Salisbury
SALISBURY — Salisbury Police were busy last Sunday night with two unrelated stabbing incidents reported almost simultaneously.
Around 10:19 p.m. on Sunday, Salisbury Police responded to the area of Waverly Street and Ohio Ave. for a reported armed robbery. The victim was walking in the area when he was approached by two individuals who asked him for a cigarette. The victim cursed at the suspects at which time he was assaulted from behind. During the robbery, the suspects attempted to take the victim’s wallet and stabbed him in the leg with an unknown object. The suspects were only able to steal food from the victim before fleeing the area on foot. The victim went to a nearby business to get help and was transported to PRMC for treatment of his leg injury.
Around the same time on Sunday, Salisbury Police responded to the area of Washington Street for a reported assault with a knife. The investigation revealed two family members were having an argument that became physical. The suspect, later identified as Kevin Lamont White, 37, of Salisbury, threw two full beer cans at his mother, striking her in the chest. White then allegedly displayed a knife and began pushing his mother out the door.
At that point, White allegedly slammed the door on his mother’s hand, causing a severe laceration on one of his fingers. The victim was taken to PRMC and White was taken into custody and charged with first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.
Probation, Fine For Assault
OCEAN CITY — A Salisbury man, arrested in June after attempting to run over an OCPD officer with his vehicle following a fight at a fast-food restaurant, pleaded guilty this week to second-degree assault and was fined and placed on probation.
Around 3:45 a.m. on June 8, Ocean City Police responded to a reported fight at the McDonald’s on 32nd Street. Officers arrived at the scene and began to break up a fight between a male suspect and the restaurant’s manager. Another male suspect believed to have been involved in the fight jumped in a Mitsubishi four-door vehicle and attempted to flee the scene.
In an attempt to identify the suspects involved in the fight, OCPD officers approached the Mitsubishi on foot. One officer stood in front of the vehicle, placed his hand on the hood and told the driver to stop and get out of the car. The driver allegedly then looked directly at the officer, revved the engine and drove toward the officer, who was able to get out of the way.
A short time later, police located the vehicle in a parking lot on Penguin Drive. The driver, identified as Trevin Quashau Allen, 20, of Salisbury, was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault, attempting to elude uniformed police by failing to stop a vehicle, reckless driving and negligent driving.
This week in District Court, Allen pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and was fined $500 and placed on probation for 18 months. The first-degree assault charge was dropped earlier this year.
No Major Casino Incidents
BERLIN — The November compliance report detailing various incidents at the Casino at Ocean Downs during the month was released this week as part of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency’s agenda.
The Casino at Ocean Downs’ report for November revealed no major incidents, but several that warranted reporting. For example, on Nov. 3, a male patron was evicted due to his level of intoxication after spilling his drink on a slot machine and causing damage to the printer. On Nov. 8, security responded to the electronic blackjack table in reference to a complaint from three male patrons about the machine malfunctioning.
A slots technician checked the machine and found no issues with it. A review of surveillance revealed the individuals were not playing the machine correctly. When this was explained to them, they became increasingly disorderly and were cut off from any further alcohol purchases and were escorted from the building.
On Nov. 24, security noticed a male individual passed out on the blackjack table. After waking the individual, it was determined he was intoxicated and was advised he would have to leave the casino. Two other male individuals who were with him then became disorderly. Each of the individuals was evicted.
On Nov. 3, a female patron reported to security that her wallet was missing. A surveillance review revealed she dropped it and a male suspect picked it up and left the casino. A short time later, the suspect returned and told security he thought it was his girlfriend’s wallet, which is why he picked it up. When he found out it wasn’t, he decided to return it. However, there was $200 missing from it and law enforcement was notified.
On Nov. 6, a male patron reported that he had dropped $520 on the floor and another male individual picked it up and handed it back to him. When the patron counted the money, however, some of it was missing. The other individual had already left the casino and the victim declined to have the incident investigated any further and also left the casino.
On Nov. 15, a female patron reported her voucher had been taken from the slot machine she had been playing. A surveillance review revealed another female had taken the voucher and cashed it out at a redemption kiosk and then left the casino. The suspect was identified through her player’s club card and was contacted. She returned with the money and it was returned to the victim.
In total, there were four intoxicated persons evicted during the month, and zero reports of underage patrons on the casino floor. There were seven incidents that required law enforcement responses, zero reports of children unattended in vehicles and zero physical altercations.