DUI, Drug Arrest
WHALEYVILLE — A local woman was arrested on drunk-driving and drug charges last weekend after her vehicle left the road and struck a ditch and utility pole in Whaleyville.
Around 10:30 p.m. last Saturday, Maryland State Police troopers received a call about a motor vehicle collision on Route 346 in front of the Oasis Bar and Grill in Whaleyville. Troopers arrived on the scene and made contact with the driver, identified as Tenille Williams, 40, of Pittsville, who was not injured in the collision.
The investigation revealed Williams was operating a Ford Mustang when the vehicle left the roadway for unknown reasons, striking a ditch and a telephone pole. Troopers believed Williams was intoxicated and offered her field sobriety tests, but she refused, according to police reports.
Williams was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and was transported to the MSP barrack in Berlin. A search of Williams’ purse revealed she was in possession of marijuana and prescription drugs that did not belong to her. Williams was charged with DWI, DUI and possession of controlled substances. She was transferred to the Worcester County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Anger Management?
OCEAN CITY — A Salisbury man was charged with malicious destruction of property last weekend after first destroying property at a high-end hotel and later punching light fixtures while in custody.
Around 6:45 p.m. last Saturday, an OCPD officer responded to the Edge at the Lighthouse on 56th Street for a reported domestic incident. Communications advised the officer the male suspect was wearing a white bathrobe. When the officer arrived, he located the suspect, identified as Leonard Waters, 21, of Salisbury, walking in the parking lot wearing a white bathrobe.
The officer questioned Waters, who told police he had gotten into a verbal argument with his spouse inside the hotel room and gotten angry to the point he began throwing various items and furniture. Waters told police he caused damage to the property because he had to get his anger out. He also told police he would take full responsibility for everything and that the officer could take him to jail.
The officer went to the room involved and found it in disarray. There were several bamboo-style tables and pieces of furniture overturned. There was broken glass scattered across the floor and there was a large ceramic flower pot that had been broken in half with soil scattered on the floor. There was also a large decorative bowl that was broken in half.
Waters’ spouse corroborated his version of the events. At that point, Waters was arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property. Hotel management estimated the damage at over $1,000, but Waters was apparently not finished with his rage yet.
While in the booking area of the Public Safety Building about three hours later, Waters allegedly punched a light fixture several times intentionally, causing damage to the fixture and additional malicious destruction charges were tacked on.
He Really Wanted In
OCEAN CITY — An Ocean City man was arrested on burglary and malicious destruction of property charges last weekend after allegedly smashing a window while trying to gain entry to a residence.
Around 3:11 a.m. last Saturday, an OCPD officer was dispatched to Three Cheers on 30th Street for a reported burglary in progress. The officer arrived and found the suspect, later identified as Cole Marshall, 21, of Ocean City, standing outside one of the units. The officer also observed the unit’s front window was smashed with glass surrounding Marshall. When the officer approached Marshall, he observed blood on his left hand.
The officer met with a witness who observed Marshall banging on the window with both fists while yelling “let me in,” according to police reports. The officer determined Marshall had shattered the entire front window in an attempt to gain entry. The window was valued at around $500. Marshall was arrested and charged with burglary and malicious destruction of property.
Stabbing Suspect Held
SALISBURY — A Salisbury woman faces first-degree assault and other charges this week after allegedly stabbing a man while he was attempting to flee in a vehicle after she smashed its windshield.
Just after midnight last Friday, a Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the area of Fentral Ave. for a reported domestic incident. According to police reports, a suspect identified as Sierra Branch, 22, of Salisbury, went to a residence where her child’s father was residing and asked him to leave with her. When he refused, Branch allegedly picked up a cement bird bath and smashed on the hood of his vehicle.
Branch then threw a brick through the vehicle’s windshield before coming at the victim with a knife and stabbing him in the shoulder. Branch was charged with first- and second-degree assault, malicious destruction of property and reckless endangerment and was ordered to be held on a $50,000 bond.
Jail For Grabbing Cop’s Gun
SNOW HILL — A local man arrested on assault and other charges last September after grabbing an OCPD officer’s gun during a DWI arrest pleaded guilty this week and was sentenced to 20 days in jail and fined $1,000.
Around 11:40 p.m. last Sept. 16, an OCPD officer on uniformed DUI enforcement patrol in the area of 3rd Street observed a motorcycle driven by Douglas Rayner, 64, of Ocean City, traveling an estimated 34 mph in a 25 mph zone. 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 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 his conductive electronic weapon, or taser, and targeted Rayner’s back. According to police reports, the officer warned Rayner “stop or you’re going to get tazed.” 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.
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. On Monday, Rayner pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and was sentenced to 90 days, all but 10 of which were then suspended. He also pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and was sentenced to 60 days, all but 10 of which were then suspended, netting a total sentence of 20 days. He was also placed on probation to three years and fined $1,000 combined for the two convictions.