Three Face Drug Charges After Chase

OCEAN CITY — Three Delaware residents were arrested on drug possession and distribution charges last week after a brief vehicle chase through downtown Ocean City.

Around 11:45 p.m. last Wednesday, Ocean City Police working a plainclothes detail noticed a possible noise violation from a vehicle on the Inlet parking lot.

The vehicle left the lot and minutes later, uniformed OCPD officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the area of Baltimore Ave. and S. First Street when the vehicle fled north on Baltimore Ave. With OCPD officers in pursuit, the vehicle then turned onto Worcester Street and continued south on Philadelphia Ave. before finally stopping in the parking lot area near Baltimore Ave. and S. First.

The driver, identified as Marcos Ortlip, 21, of Millsboro, quickly jumped out of the vehicle and was placed under arrest for fleeing. Three additional passengers were detained at the scene including Brandon Garrison, 31, of Dagsboro; and Christina Boone, 23, of Millsboro. A third passenger was released at the scene. During a search, officers located 18 bags of heroin, marijuana, crack cocaine and over $650 in currency.

Ortlip, Garrison and Boone were each charged with multiple drug distribution and possession charges. Ortlip was also cited with numerous traffic violations. Ortlip is being held at the Ocean City Public Safety Building on a $25,000 bond. Garrison is also being held at the public safety building on a $40,000 bond. Boone was released on her own recognizance.

Truck Rolls On Route 50

BERLIN — A Whaleyville man was charged with driving under the influence and other charges after rolling his pickup several times on Route 50 in front of the Wal-Mart. A friend following him was seen pouring out beer at the collision scene.

Around 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Maryland State Police responded to a reported accident on westbound Route 50 during which a pickup truck overturned at least three times in the westbound lanes near the Wal-Mart. Witnesses reported seeing an unidentified individual pouring out beer from the vehicle following the crash.

Upon arrival, MSP troopers discovered the operator, identified as Brandon Burkhard, 20, of Whaleyville, exhibited clues of being impaired. Burkhard was then arrested and charged with driving under the influence. The investigation revealed Burkhard’s juvenile friend had been following him prior to the crash. Witnesses observed the juvenile pouring out alcoholic beverages taken from Burkhard’s truck. The juvenile was then charged with underage possession of alcohol.

In addition, a loaded .40 caliber handgun was found in the roadway in the vicinity of the overturned vehicle. The handgun was not registered and both Burkhard and the juvenile denied ownership of the weapon. The investigation into the ownership of the gun is ongoing and charges are pending.

Meanwhile, Burkhard was transported by ambulance to PRMC and agreed to submit to a blood-alcohol test, the results of which have not been made public. Burkhard has been charged with DUI and traffic citations related to the crash. No other vehicles were involved in the collision.

Snow Hill Armed Robber Sought

SNOW HILL — Local law enforcement officials on Wednesday are looking for the suspect involved with an armed robbery in Snow Hill on Wednesday morning.

Around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, an unidentified suspect approached a vehicle on Washington Street in Snow Hill, displayed a handgun and demanded money. The victim turned over an undisclosed amount of money and the suspect fled on foot in the direction of the Morgan’s Run development. The victim reported hearing the sound of a firearm discharging as the victim fled.

The suspect is described as an African-American male in his 20s with no facial hair and a smooth complexion wearing dark sweat pants and a black T-shirt at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) at 410-632-1111, or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776, Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the case.

Four Charged After Traffic Stop

BISHOPVILLE — Four men were arrested on possession and other charges last weekend after the vehicle they were traveling in was pulled over for speeding on Route 113 near Bishopville.

Around 2:30 p.m. last Saturday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle for going 80 mph in a 55 mph zone in the area of Worcester Highway and Kepler Lane near Bishopville. The deputy identified the driver as Shane Michael Holbein, 22, of Lancaster, Pa., who was determined to be wanted on an outstanding warrant in Worcester. Holbein was taken into custody on the warrant.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, numerous bags of marijuana and paraphernalia were located. One passenger, identified as Brett Simmons, 23, of Ephrata, Pa., was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. Another passenger, Joshua O’Donnell, 25, of Elizabethtown, Pa., was also charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. A third passenger, Evan Glatsky, 23, of Leola, Pa., was charged with possession of marijuana.

Berlin Man Arrested

On Child Porn Charges

BERLIN — A Berlin man was arrested on multiple counts of promoting and distributing child pornography last week after a multiple agencies carried out a search and seizure warrant at his residence.

Last Thursday, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI), along with the Department of Homeland Security, the Maryland State Police and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence on Libertytown Rd. in Berlin. The search warrant was the result of several months of prior investigation, which revealed someone in the residence was sharing and downloading pictures and videos of child pornography.

The allied law enforcement agencies identified Daniel Kerstetter, 55, of Berlin, as the individual responsible. During the execution of the warrant, Kerstetter was found to be the lone occupant of the residence. Kerstetter was arrested and charged with five counts of promoting and distributing child pornography and five counts of possession of child pornography. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was remanded to the Worcester County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

Attempted Murder

Charges In Shootings

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was arrested on attempted murder and assault charges last weekend after allegedly shooting two men during a dispute over a dog.

Around 2 a.m. last Saturday, Salisbury Police responded to Smith Street for a reported shooting. While on the scene, the officers were notified two victims were being treated at PRMC for gunshot wounds. The victims, identified as William Harmon, Jr., 28, and Tony McNamara, 31, both of Salisbury, were both being treated for single gunshot wounds to their legs, injuries deemed not life threatening by PRMC staff.

The investigation revealed the victims were in a verbal argument with the suspect, later identified as Terrell Daronte Williams, 22, of Salisbury, involving a dog. The verbal altercation escalated and ended with Williams allegedly shooting both men in the leg. An arrest warrant was obtained for Williams, charging him with attempted second-degree murder and other serious charges.

Investigators received multiple credible reports that Williams was hiding in a nearby residence. At around 7 a.m., Salisbury Police cordoned off the area and initiated both a tactical and negotiator response. Neighbor removed from the area for safety reasons. Multiple attempts were made to have the suspect meet with detectives outside the residence, but Williams made no attempt to respond to requests from negotiators.

Finally at around 11:45 a.m., officers were able to locate Williams hiding inside the residence and he was taken into custody without further incident. He has been charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts each of first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and dangerous weapon with intent to injure.

Leaves Road, Hits Tree

BERLIN — A Hyattsville, Md. woman was arrested on drunk-driving charges last weekend after her vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree on eastbound Route 50 near Route 346 in Berlin early Saturday morning.

Around 9 a.m. last Saturday, Maryland State Police responded to a reported single-vehicle accident on eastbound Route 50 near Old Ocean City Blvd. in Berlin. The investigation revealed the driver, identified as Jessica Ordonez, 35, of Hyattsville, was traveling east on Route 50 when her vehicle left the roadway and collided with a tree before coming to rest.

Ordonez refused medical treatment at the scene. After field sobriety tests were conducted, Ordonez was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence. She was taken to the MSP Berlin barrack where he blood-alcohol level was determined to be .19.

June Undercover

Operation A Success

OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Police Department this week announced its annual undercover drug enforcement operation carried out each June along with allied agencies was a big success with dozens of arrests and the seizure of large quantities of narcotics.

Each June, the Ocean City Police Criminal Investigation Division and Narcotics Unit, with assistance from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team, the Maryland State Police and the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force, conduct multiple drug enforcement operations at various locations throughout Ocean City in an effort to remove drugs from the streets of the community.
The undercover operations proved to be successful again in 2014 resulting in 33 undercover drug transactions and 45 drug distribution arrests. In addition to 45 arrests, six of those individuals were wanted by other agencies. During the undercover operations, detectives seized numerous drugs including marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine salts, prescription medications and MDMA. Detectives also seized three weapons and over $3,000 in U.S. currency.
The Ocean City Police Department would like to thank the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team and the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force for their assistance in the undercover operations.  The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team consists of members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police and the Pocomoke Police Department. The Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force includes members of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, Salisbury Police Department and Fruitland Police Department. The OCPD is appreciative of the continued partnership with all law enforcement agencies in our area.
Citizens are reminded that undercover officers continue to conduct drug enforcement operations throughout the year to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors. Drug activity often leads to more serious criminal activity and the OCPD Narcotics Unit’s goal is to keep the citizens of Ocean City safe.