OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) this week is mourning the loss of a veteran Animal Control officer who passed away last Monday.
The OCPD last week announced Animal Control Officer Donald Spence had passed away on Monday, Dec. 23, after being admitted to PRMC in Salisbury the day before with a medical emergency. Spence, 43, was an Animal Control Officer with the OCPD for 10 years and was truly loved by everyone at the department and throughout the town of Ocean City, according to an OCPD press release.
A service to celebrate his life has been set for tomorrow, Jan. 4, at 11 a.m. at the Bishopville Fire Department on Bishopville Rd.
Alleged Rock Thrower Nabbed
WEST OCEAN CITY — A West Ocean City man was arrested on malicious destruction of property and other charges this week after allegedly throwing a rock through the windshield of a vehicle at the Park-and-Ride.
Around 5:50 p.m. on Sunday, a Maryland State Police trooper was dispatched to the Park-and-Ride in West Ocean City for a reported white male suspect wearing a Baltimore Ravens jacket who had thrown a rock through the window of a van in the lot. While en route, the trooper observed a suspect matching the description in the parking lot of the nearby Royal Farms convenience store.
The suspect was identified by the boyfriend of the vehicle’s owner, who had witnessed him throwing the rock through the window. The suspect, identified as Donald Anthony Collins, 55, of West Ocean City, was arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property and trespassing. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was later released after posting a $5,000 bond.
Drug Busts At Traffic Stop
BERLIN — Three men were arrested on drug distribution charges last weekend after a routine traffic stop in northern Worcester County.
Around 7:50 a.m. last Saturday, a Maryland State Police trooper stopped a tan Ford Explorer on Route 113 at Route 575 near Berlin for going 64 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. The driver was identified as Andrew Mitchell Monteverde, 20, of Farmingville, N.Y., while the two passengers were identified as Michael Mignone, 20, of Centereach, N.Y., and Peter Ventrone, 20, of Morgantown, W.Va.
Due to several criminal indicators observed by troopers, a K-9 scan of the vehicle was conducted. After a positive alert from the K-9 for the presence of narcotics, a search of the vehicle was conducted. Troopers located a zip-lock baggie that contained nine capsules of an off-white powder suspected to be methamphetamine or bath salts and another baggie of suspected cocaine. Also located in the vehicle was a plastic bag containing 58 unused capsules, which were the same as the capsules located in the front passenger area.
Each of the suspects was arrested and $1,186 in currency was seized. The currency was seized as a result of the arrest and probable cause the money was proceeds from drug sales. The estimated street value of resale of the bath salts is roughly $800 to $1,000, while the estimated street value of the cocaine is $400 to $500. Each suspect was arrested and as of mid-week were being held on the Worcester County Jail on $25,000 bonds.
Armed Robber Sought
SALISBURY — Salisbury Police this week are looking for the suspect who returned to a residence at which he had done some work earlier in the day last weekend and knocked an elderly man over the head with a blunt object before stealing his wallet.
Last Saturday, Salisbury Police responded to a residence on Jefferson Street for a reported armed robbery. The investigation revealed around 1 p.m. on Saturday, an unknown individual had raked the leaves in the 87-year-old victim’s yard and was paid for his services. Around 10:30 p.m., the suspect returned to the residence and knocked on the door.
When the victim looked outside and noticed it was the same individual who had raked his leaves earlier in the day, he opened the door. At that point, the suspect demanded the victim’s money and entered the residence while holding a blunt object in his hand.
The victim resisted and was struck once in the back of the head with the blunt object. The suspect then ripped the pocket off of the victim’s pants and stole his wallet. The suspect fled on foot with the wallet containing money, credit cards and the victim’s identification cards. The 87-year-old victim did not require any medical attention.
The suspect is described as an African-American male, about 20 years old, with a thin build, light facial hair, small braids in his hair and wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and a dark hat at the time of the incident. The suspect had been seen walking in the area and carrying a rake earlier in the day. Anyone with information is urged to contact Salisbury Police at (410) 548-3165, or Crime Solvers at (410) 548-1776. Crime Solvers will pay up to $1,000 for tips that lead to an arrest.
Domestic Assault Alleged
BERLIN — A Berlin man was arrested on assault charges this week after allegedly striking a woman during a domestic dispute.
Around 10:50 p.m. on Monday, Maryland State Police responded to a reported domestic assault at a residence on Gray’s Corner Rd. The investigation revealed a suspect, later identified as Orlando Baig-Garcia, 33, of Berlin, had been involved in an argument with the female victim regarding their daughter. The argument then turned violent as Baig-Garcia allegedly grabbed the victim by the neck and punched her in the stomach.
Garcia was arrested and charged with second-degree assault. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was later released on his own recognizance.
Food Delivery Robberies
SALISBURY — A recent rash of food delivery robberies including one last week had Salisbury Police this week issuing safety tips for drivers.
Over the last few weeks, there have been multiple reports of food delivery driver robberies in Salisbury including one last Monday. Around 11:15 p.m. last Monday, Salisbury Police responded to the area of Granby’s Run for a reported armed robbery. The investigation revealed an Asian Taste delivery driver arrived at a house to deliver food and was robbed by two suspects.
The driver noticed there were no lights on at the house, and while he was walking up to the house, he was confronted by two suspects. One of the suspects displayed a handgun and demanded cash, food and the victim’s cell phone. The victim surrendered the items and the suspects fled the scene. The victim was not injured.
The next day, Salisbury Police recovered the stolen items and located a witness who described one of the suspects as a white male. Based on the information, detectives were able to identify the suspects as Eric Eugene Wilson, Jr., 17, and Claude Jerril Miles, 18, both of Salisbury. Each was arrested and charged with armed robbery, robbery, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, conspiracy to commit robbery and theft. Despite his age, Wilson has been charged as an adult.
In the wake of the most recent incident, Salisbury Police this week issued some delivery robbery prevention tips. Drivers are urged to look for signs of residence when arriving at a location as many robberies occur at a vacant house or apartment. Drivers are also warned to never deliver to a dark house and don’t get out of their vehicles unless a light is turned on. If an order is legitimate, someone should be available to answer the phone and turn a light on.