No Injuries Reported In
Deputy-Involved Collision
OCEAN PINES — No injuries were reported in a head-on collision involving a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office vehicle on Route 589 on Saturday afternoon that closed the roadway for about an hour.
Around 3 p.m. on Saturday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office SUV was heading south on Route 589 near the north gate of Ocean Pines when a Ford pick-up truck heading north crossed the center line for unknown reasons and struck the Sheriff’s Office Chevy Tahoe head-on, causing it to rotate into a roadside ditch.
The Sheriff’s Deputy was not injured in the collision and the driver of the pick-up truck refused treatment at the scene. Route 589 in the area of the collision was closed for about an hour, snarling traffic. The Maryland State Police Berlin barrack is conducting an investigation.
Boyfriend Allegedly Set On Fire
SALISBURY — A Salisbury woman faces attempted murder and assault charges this week after allegedly dousing her live-in boyfriend with bleach and rubbing alcohol before setting him on fire during a domestic dispute on Monday.
Around 1 a.m. on Monday, Salisbury Police responded to a residence on Fitzwater Street for a reported domestic assault. The initial investigation revealed a 48-year-old male victim and the suspect, Natalie Robinson, 53, of Salisbury, had been in a verbal argument in the residence. The argument turned physical when Robinson allegedly threw bleach into the victim’s face and rubbing alcohol onto the victim’s face and upper torso.
According the victim’s statement, Robinson then set him on fire. The victim was able to extinguish the flames, flee from the residence and contacted police. Salisbury Police arrived on the scene and quickly located and arrested Robinson. She has been charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault.
Robinson is being held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center. A search and seizure warrant was acquired for the residence and evidence was discovered corroborating the victim’s account of the incident. The victim was transported to PRMC and was treated and later released.
Shoplifter Nabbed
BERLIN — A Capital Heights, Md. woman was arrested on theft charges last weekend after allegedly swiping nearly $100 in merchandize from the Wal-Mart in Berlin.
Around 3:15 p.m. last Saturday, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the Wal-Mart on Route 50 in Berlin for a reported theft that had taken place. The deputy made contact with Wal-Mart associates who told police a female suspect, later identified as Stephanie Fogle, 30, of Capital Heights, passed through all points of sale with numerous food and clothing items having a value of $95.44.
Store employees said Fogle went through the self-checkout line, scanned and paid for some items, but bagged several other items that had not been paid for. The deputy located Fogle and placed her under arrest for theft then $100. She was issued a criminal citation and was released pending trial.
Heavy Fine For
High Speed Chase
OCEAN CITY — A New York man who led Ocean City Police on a 30-block-plus chase on a motorcycle in June pleaded guilty this week to one count of attempting to elude a uniformed officer and was fined $1,000.
Around 11:20 p.m. on July 17, an OCPD officer was on unmarked vehicle patrol in the area of 81st Street and Coastal Highway when he came up behind a motorcycle bearing New York tags at a stoplight. The officer noticed the motorcycle had blue LED lights projecting outward from the vehicle’s body in violation of traffic laws.
When the light turned green, the officer activated his emergency lights in an attempt to get the driver, later identified as Porfirio Chavez, 58, of Bayville, N.Y. to pull over. Instead, Chavez dashed across three lanes of traffic and accelerated at a high rate of speed approaching an estimated 70 mph, according to police reports. The officer broadcasted to other OCPD officers that the motorcycle was fleeing from him and began a pursuit. Several officers along southbound Coastal Highway reported seeing Chavez fly past their locations, running red lights at 62nd Street, 45th Street and Convention Center Drive, while changing lanes and weaving in and out of traffic, sometimes traveling between lanes through vehicles in traffic.
Chavez then ran through the red light at the 28th Street area and turned west on Robin Drive toward the bay. OCPD officers continued the pursuit and set up stationary positions along Robin Drive, Sunset Drive and Bayshore Drive, effectively setting a perimeter to prevent any escape routes from the populous midtown neighborhoods.
A witness walking his dog at the same time told police he saw the motorcycle turn down Bayshore Court, an extension of Bayshore Drive. Knowing that Bayshore Court was a cul-de-sac with no route for escape for the motorcycle, several OCPD officers deployed on foot to search for Chavez.
After being found sitting on a bench, Chavez was taken into custody without further incident. According to police reports, Chavez made no mention of why he ran from the initial traffic stop for what would have been a citation offense. The officer also noted in the report Chavez endangered the lives of pedestrians and motorists along with property during the chase.
The most serious charge against Chavez was reckless and negligent driving in wanton disregard for the safety of persons and property. This week, Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to elude police and was fined $1,000.
No New Jail Time
For Weapons Charge
OCEAN CITY — A Pennsylvania man arrested in July on several charges after Ocean City Police found him and another man smoking marijuana in a vehicle pleaded guilty this week to possession of a concealed dangerous weapon and was sentenced to 65 days, which was the amount of time he spent in jail awaiting trial.
Around 6:30 p.m. on July 25, two OCPD bicycle officers were patrolling in the area of 14th Street and St. Louis Ave. when they noticed a suspicious vehicle. As the officers approached the vehicle, they clearly observed and smelled marijuana, according to police reports.
The officer ordered the three occupants out of the vehicle and each was detained without incident. During a search of the vehicle and each suspect, officers located marijuana, a fixed-blade knife and multiple drug paraphernalia pieces. Officers also seized nearly $1,000 in cash.
Two of the suspects, identified as Frans Caleb Estima, 21, and Jacob Tyler Sharp, 20, both of Blandon, Pa., were arrested. Estima was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and obstructing and hindering. Sharp was charged with possession with intent to distribute, possession of paraphernalia, concealed dangerous weapons and obstructing and hindering.
The third unnamed suspect was issued a civil citation for possession of marijuana and was released. Estima and Sharp were taken before a District Court Commissioner. Estima was released on recognizance, while Sharp was transferred to the Worcester County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
This week, Sharp pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed dangerous weapon and was sentenced to 65 days in jail. He was then given credit for the 65 days he spent in jail awaiting trial, resulting in no new jail time. Estima is scheduled to appear in court on November 10.
Saturation Patrols
Net Four Arrests
WEST OCEAN CITY — A multi-agency sobriety checkpoint operated on Saturday night along Route 50 in West Ocean City did not yield any direct arrests, but the associated saturation patrols conducted throughout the area resulted in four DUI arrests.
The Maryland State Police, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Berlin Police Department, Ocean City Police Department, Ocean Pines Police Department and the Maryland Natural Resources Police cooperated on a planned sobriety checkpoint on Route 50 near Silver Point Lane on Saturday night. The checkpoint was conducted from 11 p.m. to 12 a.m., during which 306 vehicles were checked.
During the checkpoint, no motorists were directed to conduct field sobriety testing, nor were any motorists arrested for driving under the influence. Two vehicle failed to stop and were determined to be confused drivers, ages 73 and 74. However, the allied law enforcement agencies conducted saturation patrols during and after the checkpoint, resulting in four arrests for DUI and a civil citation for possession of marijuana less than 10 grams.