OCEAN CITY — A local man faces assault and other charges this week after allegedly resisting arrest and grabbing an OCPD officer’s holster during a traffic stop in the downtown area on Tuesday.
Around 11:40 p.m. on Tuesday, an OCPD officer on uniformed DUI enforcement patrol in the area of 3rd Street observed a motorcycle driven by Douglas Rayner, 63, of Ocean City, traveling an estimated 34 mph in a 25 mph zone. In addition, Rayner allegedly failed to move into an adjacent travel lane when passing the officer’s vehicle with its lights flashing in violation of state law.
The officer initiated a traffic stop at 3rd Street and detected an odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from Rayner’s person. The officer asked Rayner to complete a series of field sobriety tests and the suspect allegedly became angered. After several minutes, Rayner agreed to complete the field sobriety tests, which he did not pass to the officer’s satisfaction.
The officer then informed Rayner he was under arrest for drinking and driving and placed a handcuff on his left wrist. When the officer attempted to roll up Rayner’s right sleeve to handcuff his other wrist, Rayner allegedly pulled his right arm away and resisted. According to police reports, Rayner continued to resist being handcuffed and at one point spun around and extended his face toward the officer’s face and made a kissing sound.
Rayner continued to resist arrest while other officers attempted to restrain him. The original OCPD officer continued to wrestle with Rayner’s right arm, attempting to handcuff him, when Rayner reached around and used his right hand to grab the holster of the officer’s loaded Sig Sauer P229 handgun. According to police reports, Rayner latched on to the handgun and wouldn’t let go until the officer was able to push him away.
The officer then charged Taser and targeted Rayner’s back. According to police reports, the officer warned Rayner “stop or you’re going to get Tased.” At that point, Rayner stopped resisting and began to laugh at the whole situation, according to police reports. The officers were then able to restrain Rayner with two sets of handcuffs.
It’s important to note Rayner submitted to a breath test at the Public Safety Building over an hour later, which returned a result of .06, or below the legal limit. Rayner was charged with resisting arrest, attempting to remove a firearm from a law enforcement officer, second-degree assault and numerous traffic violations including driving while impaired.