WEST OCEAN CITY — Two individuals were arrested on first-degree assault charges on Monday after police found them coming out of a residence in West Ocean City.
Around 1:50 p.m. on Monday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the area of Riggin Ridge Rd. in West Ocean City for a report of suspicious activity. An anonymous caller reported two individuals, a white male and a white female, who had been seen walking around Riggin Ridge Rd. looking in windows and acting suspiciously.
As the deputy arrived on scene and walked toward the residence, an individual later identified as Joseph Slabaugh, 35, of Brooklyn, Md., came from behind the house and the deputy immediately detained him for questioning. While the deputy was speaking with Slabaugh, a white female, later identified as Brandenburg Leigh Sandifer, 33, also of Brooklyn, Md., exited the front door, ran down the front steps and attempted to elude police before being detained.
The investigation revealed the front door of the residence had been forced open. Slabaugh and Sandifer were arrested and charged with first-, third- and fourth-degree burglary. Sandifer was also charged with making a false statement to a law enforcement officer. Both suspects were taken before a District Court Commissioner and each was ordered to be held on a $150,000 bond.