OCEAN CITY — Two suspects were arrested on armed robbery and first-degree assault charges last week after allegedly stealing a victim’s wallet at knifepoint in the area of 19th Street.
Around 8:30 p.m. last Thursday, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was on patrol in the area of 19th Street when he was approached by a male victim who told police someone had just pulled a knife on him and stolen his wallet. The victim told police he was staying at a nearby motel and was walking to get a drink from a soda machine on the south side of the building when he was approached by a male, later identified as Jerel Gaines, 18, of Great Mills, Md.
According to police reports, Gaines asked the victim for change for a $10 bill, and when the victim produced his wallet to give Gaines change, Gaines stole the wallet and ran to a vehicle in the motel parking lot. The wallet contained $280 along with credit cards and other identification.
Gaines entered a gray Honda in the parking lot and the victim followed in an attempt to get his wallet back. When the victim approached the vehicle, a female suspect identified as Neisha Gaston, 18, of Bushwood, Md., got out of the passenger seat and allegedly produced a knife. The victim told police Gaston pointed the knife at him and said, “Really? Really?”
At that point, the victim backed away for fear of being stabbed by Gaston. Gaston then got back in the vehicle and the couple quickly drove away and headed south on Baltimore Avenue. The victim the made contact with the OCPD officer at 19th Street and related the story. The officer broadcasted a description of the vehicle and the suspects.
Around 10:10 p.m., Maryland State Police troopers advised OCPD officers they had possibly located the suspects and the vehicle during a separate call for service at Keyser Point Rd. in West Ocean City. OCPD officers responded and found Gaines and Gaston along with the vehicle matching the description provided by the victim.
OCPD officers frisked Gaston and found her to be in possession of a knife in her front pants pocket. The victim later agreed to be brought over to West Ocean City and positively identified Gaines as the man who had stolen his wallet and Gaston as the woman who pulled a knife on him when he attempted to get it back. The victim also positively identified the vehicle in which the suspects had fled the scene.
Gaines and Gaston were charged with armed robbery and first-degree assault. Each was taken before a District Court Commissioner and each was ordered to be held on a $75,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing.
