Seat Belt Violation Leads OCPD To Recovered Stolen Vehicle and Wanted Fugitive

Jimmy C. Anderson

On July 28, 2012, at about 6:30 a.m., Ocean City Police Officers attempted to pull over a 2007 four-door Dodge Magnum with Texas registration in the 10 block area of 3^rd Street near the boardwalk.

The vehicle fled police by going up the boardwalk and heading north. Numerous citizens who were on the boardwalk had to get out of the path of vehicle to avoid being struck.  Officers not wanting to pursue the vehicle on the boardwalk, maintained a line-of-sight on the vehicle as it travelled north on the boardwalk. 

Police travelled up the boardwalk in a marked police vehicle several blocks behind the fleeing car.  The suspect vehicle turned off the boardwalk at Surf Avenue, slowed down and three occupants of the vehicle bailed out of the car between the boardwalk and Baltimore Avenue. The police were able to detain the three passengers who bailed out of the fleeing vehicle.

Officers continued to follow the vehicle off the boardwalk, however, lost sight of it as it fled north on Baltimore Ave.   A description of the suspect vehicle was broadcast over the police radio, at which time another marked OCPD patrol unit spotted the vehicle on Baltimore Ave., in the area of 16^th Street.   The marked patrol unit attempted to stop the vehicle and pulled behind the car.

The suspect vehicle again attempted to flee from police and went up on the boardwalk for the second time at 16^th Street, and got off the boardwalk at 17^th Street.

Aaron L. Canterbury

Once back on Baltimore Ave., the vehicle attempted to turn north and lost control of the car and crashed into the medium strip at 17^th Street.   At this point the vehicle continued north in the southbound lane of Baltimore Ave. now being pursued by the OCPD vehicle patrol and turned west at 19^th Street where he went across Coastal Highway to Dolphin Street and then north on Marlin Drive.  At the end of Marlin Drive the vehicle crashed through a fence and continued driving through a citizen’s backyard, at which point the driver ran out of the yard and stopped short of driving into the canal.  The suspect driver exited the vehicle and attempted to flee police by jumping into the bay.  The suspect then swam toward 21^st Street and Herring Way.  The suspect climbed out of the water onto the dock and was taken into custody by waiting OCPD officers.

The subsequent investigation by OCPD determined the vehicle had been reported stolen during a burglary that occurred in York, PA. 

The driver, identified as Jimmy Carl Anderson, 22, of New Park, PA, was a wanted fugitive from Pennsylvania.  Police also recovered a quantity of suspected marijuana and prescription drugs from Anderson.  Police also located additional CDS inside the stolen vehicle.

One of the three passengers who bailed out of the car on Surf Avenue identified as Aaron Lloyd Canterbury, 30, of York, was found to be in possession of marijuana, Ecstasy and CDS paraphernalia. He was also arrested and charged accordingly.

Anderson was charged with: Theft of motor vehicle, theft over $10,000, 2-counts of malicious destruction of property over $500, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, 2nd degree escape, possession of schedule I, controlled dangerous substance (CDS), possession of schedule II, CDS, possession of schedule IV, CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia, and he also received 30 assorted traffic violations.

Canterbury was seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and released on his own recognizance.  Anderson was also seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and was held without bond.

Ocean City Police Dept. News Release

Ocean City Police Seeking Public’s Assistance

Ocean City Police Seeking Public’s Assistance

 in Identifying Assault Suspect

The Ocean City Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating the suspect in recent attempted sexual assaults that have occurred in poorly lit, semi-secluded areas near bar establishments. The most recent occurred on July 28, 2012 during the early morning hours.

In each case, a female victim was under the influence of alcohol, alone and walking home when an unknown male initiated a conversation with the victim. After initiating conversation, the unknown male suspect then forces the victim to the ground and attempts to sexually assault them.

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5’10”, approximately 170 pounds, and in his mid-20’s to early 30’s.
Ocean City Police are asking anyone with information about similar incidents, and/or the suspect involved to please contact Detective Simpson of the Ocean City’s Criminal Investigation Division at 410-520-5349. Those providing information may remain anonymous.

The OCPD is reminding residents and visitors to use the buddy-system and not walk alone, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, be aware of your surroundings, and walk in highly traveled public areas.

Ocean City Police Department News Release

Man Arrested After Assaulting Officer With Vehicle

Corey John Martini

On Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at approximately 10:51 p.m., a uniformed bicycle patrol officer initiated a traffic stop in the area of 8^th Street and Philadelphia Avenue after witnessing a traffic violation.  The officer witnessed a Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was driven by Corey John Martini, 20, of Wickhaven, PA, make a right hand turn and come all the way into the far left lane, completely crossing the double yellow line.

While speaking with Martini, the officer detected alcohol emanating from his breath and noticed a plastic bag of marijuana in the center console of the vehicle.  Officers asked Martini to exit the vehicle, at which time he turned the vehicle toward the officer and accelerated.  The officer, who was struck by the passenger side of the vehicle, was knocked off his bicycle.

Martini, who proceeded to leave the area, accelerated his vehicle at a high rate of speed, traveling northbound in the southbound lane of St. Louis Avenue. As officers followed Martini, witnesses told police he had entered a condominium building in the area of 11^th Street.  Officers apprehended Martini after a foot pursuit.

Martini was arrested and charged with first and second degree assault, assault on a law enforcement officer, malicious destruction of property, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana and position of paraphernalia.  In addition, Martini was charged with 14 traffic violations, including driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent driving, reckless driving, speeding and failure to remain at the scene.

Martini was transported to the Public Safety Building where he was seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner.  At the time of this release, Martini was being held on a $5,000 bond.

Ocean City Police Dept. News Release

Ocean City Police Seeking Public’s Assistance

Ocean City Police Seeking Public’s Assistance in Identifying Assault Suspect

The Ocean City Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating the suspect of an attempted sexual assault that occurred at approximately 2:45 a.m., on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. On that date, Ocean City Police Department responded to the area of 4200 Coastal Highway in reference to an attempted assault that had already occurred.

OCPD officers met with a female victim who told police that she was walking home when an unknown male initiated a conversation with her.  A short time after, the male suspect pushed the victim into the bushes and attempted to sexually assault her.  During the attack, the victim was able to fight the attacker causing significant injury the suspect’s ear.

The suspect, who is a white male, is described as being approximately 5’10”, approximately 170 pounds and in his mid-20’s to early-30’s. In addition, it is believed that the suspect would have a visible injury to his ear.

Ocean City Police are asking anyone with information about this incident, or the suspect involved, to please contact Detective N. Simpson Ocean City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, at 410-520-5349.  Those providing information may remain anonymous.

OCEAN CITY POLICE IDENTIFY BODY FOUND IN BAY

NEWS RELEASE

Ocean City Police Department

 

On Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at approximately 6:20 p.m., Ocean City Police responded to the area of 32^nd Street for a report of a possible deceased body in the bay.  The body, which was recovered by the United States Coast Guard, was confirmed to be that of missing 22-year-old Lance Corey Gaines.

 

Gaines, who was visiting Ocean City with his family from upstate New York, was last seen on April 21, 2012 at approximately 1 a.m. at The Sandbar on 33^rd Street and Coastal Highway.  His body has been sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland for autopsy.

 

The cause and manner of death are currently under investigation by the Ocean City Police Department.

Ocean City, Maryland

Missing Man Last Seen In Ocean City

Lance Corey Gains

Written by

Scott Muska
Staff Writer

OCEAN CITY -- Police, family and friends are searching for a 22-year-old man who has been missing for nearly a week and was last seen at an Ocean City bar.

Lance Corey Gaines of Groton, N.Y., hasn't been heard from since the night of Friday, April 20. Ocean City police said he was last seen at Sandbar on 33rd Street at about 1 a.m. Saturday, April 21. One of the 20 or so friends and relatives who have traveled to town since then to form a makeshift search group said he had gone out for a walk and to the bar alone.

Gaines is 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighs 190 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. When he was seen at the bar, he was wearing a dark gray hooded sweatshirt.

Gaines was on vacation with his family and was staying at the Bay Club Resort on 32nd Street for the weekend. Family members said he sent a text message to his girlfriend just after midnight.

His father, John Gaines, said his other son had spoken to a woman who works at Madison Beach Motel on North Baltimore Avenue who saw someone in the area on Monday afternoon who matched Lance Gaines' description, but that's the only additional lead they've gotten.

"My son talked to her, and she had details she couldn't really have had (if she hadn't seen him)," said John Gaines on Thursday. "So we're pretty confident, we think we have a likely sighting on Monday."

OCPD spokeswoman Jessica Waters confirmed a tip had been received from someone claiming they saw Gaines or someone who matches his description, but there hasn't been a confirmed sighting since his disappearance, despite police outreach and investigation and the hundreds of fliers and inquiries friends and family have been making into Lance Gaines' whereabouts.

CONTINUE READING

STILL MISSING

Ocean City Police are asking anyone who has seen Gaines or who has had contact with him to notify Detective Carl Perry with the Ocean City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 410.723.6604

MISSING....

OCEAN CITY POLICE SEEKING PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE LOCATING MISSING MAN

Ocean City Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 22-year-old man.  Lance Corey Gaines, who was visiting Ocean City with his family from upstate New York, was last seen on April 21, 2012at approximately 1 a.m.at The Sandbar on33rd Street and Coastal Highway.

Gaines, who was reported missing by his family, has brown hair, blue eyes and was last seen wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt.  He is approximately 6’-4” and approximately 190 pounds.

Ocean City Police are asking anyone who has seen Gaines or who has had contact with him to notify Detective Carl Perry with the Ocean City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 410.723.6604.

707 Owner’s Death Probe Continues

Written By: News Editor, Shawn J. Soper

WEST OCEAN CITY -- The investigation into the death of a West Ocean City bar owner following an altercation outside his establishment earlier this month remains open while law enforcement and prosecutors await the final report from the state Medical Examiner’s Office.

Around 2:23 a.m. on Oct. 6, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the 707 Sports Bar and Grille in reference to a disturbance complaint. The deputy arrived and met with a Maryland State Police trooper, who advised the bar’s owner, Carey Patrick Flynn, had been assaulted.

According to police reports, Flynn, who was on the ground with visible abrasions on his knees and elbows, was complaining of shortness of breath.

Emergency Services were dispatched to the scene and Flynn was transported by ambulance to Atlantic General Hospital, where he died a short time later. Flynn’s wife advised police her husband had a heart condition and had a pacemaker in place.

The investigation revealed a suspect, later identified as Cyle Walker, 26, of West Ocean City, had been in a verbal confrontation with Flynn that had turned physical. Incidentally, Walker’s birthday is Oct. 5, the day before the incident in the early morning hours of Oct. 6. While police were still on the scene, Walker returned and spoke with the deputy, advising the officer a verbal altercation had taken place between he and Flynn.

According to police reports, Walker admitted pushing Flynn, causing him to fall to the ground. Walker was charged initially with second-degree assault.

That second-degree assault charge against Walker was dismissed on Monday, but Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby, who was pictured on the scene of the investigation the day of Flynn’s death, said dropping the second-degree assault charge was a formality and Walker remains a person of interest.

After Walker was charged initially with second-degree assault, Oglesby took possession of the arrest warrant as the investigation developed. On Monday, the assault charge was dropped in order to leave the investigation open-ended until the medical examiner’s report comes back.

“It remains an open investigation,” he said. “We’re still waiting for the medical examiner’s report to come back to determine what, if any, new charges are appropriate. The second-degree assault charge has such a quick shelf life in District Court, he [Walker] could go to trial on that charge and have it resolved before we get the medical examiner’s report or conclude our investigation, and we don’t want it to become a double-jeopardy situation.”

Source;  http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/articles/2011/10/21/Top-Stories/707-Owners-Death-Probe-Continues

Spray Paint Artist Rejects Plea Deal

Boardwalk- Ocean City
Baltimore Sun Photo/ Eric Doerzbach

By Luke Broadwater, The Baltimore Sun

A spray-paint artist rejected a deal from prosecutors Thursday and demanded a trial after his arrest at the Inner Harbor last month.

At Baltimore City District Court on North Avenue, Mark Chase, 29, of Baltimore's Brooklyn neighborhood, said prosecutors offered him a deal that would require him to perform community service after which they would drop the charge against him: one count of peddling without a license.

Instead, Chase pleaded not guilty Thursday, and prosecutor Patricia Deros told the judge that Chase had rejected the state's offer.

Details of the deal were not discussed in court, but Baltimore City State's Attorney spokesman Mark Cheshire said that it would have allowed Chase to avoid a conviction.

Still, Chase said the deal, in his view, would be the same thing as admitting he had committed the crime.

"I'm not going to plead guilty for doing something that's my constitutional right," said Chase, who paints science-fiction landscapes, mountains, waterfalls and American flags. "I'm not going to compromise my morals."

His trial date is scheduled for Dec. 2.

Baltimore police arrested Chase on Sept. 18 at the Inner Harbor when he attempted to set up an area where he could paint at Light and Pratt streets.

Video viewed by The Baltimore Sun shows police telling Chase that he could not paint there without a permit. The video shows Chase explaining that he had won a court injunction in U.S. District Court and had a right to paint where he was.

"It is my constitutional right to be here without prior approval," Chase said to the officer at one point.

"Your constitutional rights have nothing to do with the law," the officer said.

The arrest came two weeks after Chase temporarily won the right to paint on Ocean City's boardwalk. The injunction allows Chase to paint there for as long as his lawsuit continues against Ocean City for what he alleges are violations of the civil rights of street performers and artists by requiring permits and prohibiting them from selling their work in certain areas.

At the time of his arrest, Chase was not at McKeldin Square, a brick plaza at the southeast corner of Pratt and Light streets, which police have designated a "protest zone" where up to 25 people can gather without a permit to demonstrate. The officers said they would give him a citation, but because he refused to move, they arrested him, Chase said.

At the courthouse Thursday, Chase said he hoped to expand the area downtown where artists and protesters can demonstrate.

"We're going to try to open up the whole Inner Harbor," he said.

Source;  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-artist-plea-20111006,0,7505699.story

Store Owner and Employee Charged With Possession and Distribution

(Sept. 30, 2011) Following an Ocean City Police raid at the Boardwalk shop May Talk, Fransisco Rico Hernandez, the shop’s owner, and store worker Blen Giday Berhani have been charged with possessing and distributing synthetic marijuana and paraphernalia.

According to the police report, Hernandez, 48, was present when Berhani, 24, sold and explained the use of a glass pipe and K-2 synthetic marijuana to an undercover police officer during a compliance check at the store on Sept. 13.

When police returned with a search and seizure warrant on Sept. 15, several contraband items seized by Ocean City Police included saliva divinorum, K-2, Bath Salts, controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia and several fixed blade fighting knives. Bath salts, also known as the drug MDPV, are stimulants that imitate the effects of amphetamines.

Hernandez was charged with possession of salvia, possession and distribution of a cannabimimetic agent, and possession and distribution of synthetic marijuana paraphernalia, according to the police report.

Giday was charged with possession and distribution of a cannabimimetic agent, and possession and distribution of synthetic marijuana paraphernalia, the police report said.

Both Hernandez and Berhani are scheduled to appear in Ocean City District Court for a preliminary inquiry on Oct. 14.

Source;  http://www.oceancitytoday.net/news/2011-09-30/Police/May_Talk_charged_for_contraband.html

Ocean City Mounted Patrol Officers Get Tip From Citizen- OC Narcotics Detectives Take Action

Even though the Ocean City Mayor and Council recently banned the sale of all synthetic drugs in the resort, some businesses are continuing to sell them anyway.

On Tuesday, undercover Ocean City Police Department detectives conducted a compliance check at the May Talk store on Atlantic Avenue.

The officers were able to purchase K-2 and an employee also told them how to use the drug in a pipe to get high.

Officers went back to the store with a warrant on Thursday and recovered several items including K-2, Salvia, bath salts, CDS paraphernalia and several fixed-blade fighting knives.

Charges are pending against all of the parties involved.

=================================================

Ocean City Police mounted patrol officers received information from a citizen regarding the sale of  “K-2” sold at “May Talk”, a boardwalk retail store located at 205 Atlantic Avenue.  

The Ocean City Mayor and City Council recently passed an emergency ordinance banning the sale of synthetic drugs including K-2.

On Tuesday September 13^th undercover OCPD narcotics detectives conducted a compliance check at the “May Talk” retail store.

Narcotics officers purchased K-2 from a “May Talk” employee who told the undercover officers the K-2 was illegal but agreed to sell it to them anyway. The store employee also sold the officers a pipe, which is considered paraphernalia.  The employee explained to the undercover officers how to use the K-2 and the pipe to get high.  The owner of the establishment was present at the time of the transaction.

On September 15, 2011, at approximately 1 p.m., OCPD personnel served the Search Warrant at “May Talk”.

As a result of the Search and Seizure warrant police recovered several items including:  Saliva Divinorum,

K-2, Bath Salts, CDS paraphernalia and several fixed blade fighting knives. 

Charges are pending against all of the parties involved.

Since the passing of the emergency ordinance, Ocean City Police have proactively educated storeowners and managers by providing copies of the ordinances as well as conducting several checks to ensure compliance of the ordinance.   Some contraband was found in a hidden compartment in a display case located next to the cash register.  The owner admitted they have been selling the saliva in spite of the ordinance enacted banning the substance last year.  

Source;  http://www.wgmd.com/?p=35092

OCPD Narcotics Detectives And Wor. County CET Shut Down Drug Ring

A few weeks ago Worcester County Sheriff Reggie Mason spoke with numerous sheriff's within the county and state lines and pledged that they would all give "110 percent" to ridding the abundance of drugs in all of our communities. 

This time they didn't have to cross a county line OR a state line...... they just entered the city. 

GREAT JOB - GREAT TEAM WORK!!

Ocean City Police in cooperation with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Criminal Enforcement Team have for the past two weeks been arresting indicted suspects in connection with the illegal distribution of drugs in south Ocean City.

The investigation into the illegal activity began last December and over the past eight months detectives have made an estimated 40 hand-to-hand drug deals in OC, from 20 different suspects.

The drugs purchased include:  crack, powder cocaine, heroin, PCP, marijuana, ecstasy, oxycodone, buprenorphine, suboxone patches and clonazepam.

As a result of the investigation, police obtained grand jury indictments for the suspects charging them with 62 criminal charges.

As of today, 19 of the suspects have been arrested and police say they hope to arrest the last person shortly.
=================================================

OCPD OBTAINS 20 GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS FOR 20 SUSPECTS

In December 2010, Ocean City Police Narcotics Unit members conducted an investigation into to the illegal distribution of drugs primarily on the south end of Ocean City. 

Narcotics detectives worked in conjunction with OCPD patrol officers who had been aggressively enforcing illegal drug activity in this area for several months.  Because of the initial information obtained by patrol officers, narcotics detectives made numerous contacts with area residents, which led them to persons believed to be selling drugs.  Undercover detectives were able to make several undercover purchases of illegal drugs from various dealers. 

Over the last eight months detectives made almost 40 hand-to-hand drug deals in Ocean City and the surrounding area, from 20 different suspects.  The drugs purchased were: crack, powder cocaine, heroin, PCP, marijuana, Ecstasy, Oxycodone, Buprenorphine, Suboxone patches, and Clonazepam.

On August 23 of this year, as a result of this investigation, OCPD narcotics  detectives obtained grand jury indictments for 20  suspects. There were 62 criminal charges in this case. The charges included CDS Distribution, Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, Possession of CDS, and Distribution of CDS in a Drug Free School Zone.

Beginning August 31 OCPD Narcotics and General Assignment detectives as well as Worcester County Sheriff’s Criminal Enforcement Team (CET) began arresting the indicted suspects. A total of 19 arrests were made during the operation.  OCPD expects to have the remaining person in custody shortly. 

The Circuit Court preset bonds on the indicted suspects ranged from $25,000 – $200,000.

Source; http://www.wgmd.com/?p=34769

Maryland Takes Multi-Million Dollar Hit For Closing Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, Md. - Maryland took a huge hit, after Hurricane Irene shut down Ocean City, and now the numbers are in to confirm it.

Wednesday, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot announced a $2,000,000 revenue loss. Tourist numbers aren't nearly where they should be right now in Ocean City, but businesses and the state will take anything they can get right now. Hurricane Irene cost the beach town an estimated 2 million dollars in revenue; most of that is sales tax. Officials estimate they lost about $60,000 in gas tax revenue because of cancelled weekend travel, more than $45,000 in uncollected tolls. Additionally, Ocean City estimates it lost about $40,000 in admission and amusement tax revenue.

Julie Warren opened a bike rental shop one week before Irene hit. The storm was a rude awakening for this new business owner. "It surely was a disappointment for us to miss 3 days worth of business, that's for sure," admits Warren. "However on the other side of it, we would much rather them be prepared, and make take the precautions and make sure.  We are a family business, so I want my family safe."

With beautiful weather, and the Labor Day holiday on the horizon, all are hoping tourists will flock back to the beach. The Pazzani's of New Jersey missed the first days of their vacation, but made it down to finish the week. "We made it!  We made it down and the weather's been beautiful." Franchot says another round of revenue estimates are scheduled to be released in mid-September.

Source;  http://www.wmdt.com/story/15372497/maryland-takes-multi-million-dollar-hit-for-closing-ocean-city

Suspected Drug Dealer Arrested After Running Over OCPD Bike Officer

SATURDAY JULY 16, 2011

A Pennsylvania man suspected of being a drug dealer has been arrested following a chase and search early this morning in Ocean City.

Police there say at a quarter to 2 this morning, bike officers tried to arrest Michael McGovern of Williamsport, Pennsylvania for selling an undisclosed amount of drugs to an undercover detective. That’s when they say the chase began on the Boardwalk at 19th Street, as McGovern tried to start his car and get away, hitting a bike officer and dragging him.

Police say he bailed out of his car on Marlin Drive and jumped into the canal off Herring Way. Police followed him up to 28th street, where he was eventually arrested.

McGovern has been charged with Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.

SUSPECTED DRUG DEALER ARRESTED AFTER RUNNING OVER OCPD BIKE OFFICER

On July 16, 2011, at approximately 1:47 am, Ocean City Narcotics Detectives assisted by both plainclothes and uniformed patrol officers attempted to place an individual under arrest for Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substance to an undercover OCPD Detective.

During the arrest, the suspect identified as Michael Joseph McGovern, 30, of Williamsport, PA, fled from officers in the area of 19^th Street and the Boardwalk.  A lookout for McGovern was broadcast over the police radio.

Uniformed OCPD bike patrol officers located McGovern as he was attempting to leave the area in his vehicle.  Officers were able to get to McGovern while he was entering his vehicle; however a struggle took place inside the vehicle with officers on both the passenger and driver’s side.

During the struggle McGovern managed to start his car and put it in reverse, striking and dragging the bike officer who was on the driver’s side and just missing the officer who was on the passenger side.  The bike officer who was dragged on the driver’s side by McGovern’s vehicle eventually was able to escape by falling outside the vehicle and under the driver’s side door, which was still open.

McGovern then became involved in a short vehicular pursuit, before bailing out of his car on the west side of Coastal Highway in the area of Marlin Drive.  Officers continued to pursue McGovern on foot and determined that he had jumped in the water way/canal in the area of 21st Street and the bay.

McGovern was tracked north to the 28th Street area by OCPD personnel, who were assisted by the Maryland State Police Aviation Unit, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Natural Resources Marine Unit.

Police eventually located McGovern at 4:38 a.m., in a condominium at 413A Eagle Drive.  McGovern was taken into custody. As a result of McGovern’s actions one OCPD bike patrol officer was injured and transported to Atlantic General Medical Center.  The officer was treated for injuries to the hand and arm and released.

McGovern is being held at the Ocean City Public Safety Building and is awaiting an initial appearance before an Ocean City District Court Commissioner.

McGovern is being charged with the following:
-          2 Counts Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance – Marijuana and Ecstasy (MDMA)
-          Leaving the scene of a personal injury accident
-          1st Degree Assault
-          2nd Degree Assault
-          Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
-          Resisting Arrest
-          Fleeing and Eluding
-          Reckless and Negligent Driving

Source;  WGMD.com

Panel Rejects Sifrit’s Latest Appeal

Written by

Shawn J. Soper

OCEAN CITY -- Convicted killer Benjamin Sifrit, who, along with his wife Erika, brutally murdered and dismembered a Virginia couple vacationing in Ocean City in 2002, had his latest bid for a new trial rejected last week.

After exhausting an initial appeal process based on the claim his defense counsel was ineffective during his 2003 trial, Benjamin Sifrit embarked on a different tack in an attempt to get his conviction reversed and gain a new trial when he filed a petition in the Maryland Court of Appeals in 2008 arguing the prosecution team, led by then Worcester County State’s Attorney Joel Todd, used inconsistent theories of the events surrounding the crimes to gain the convictions of both he and his wife, Erika.

When Maryland’s highest court denied the petition, Sifrit last November filed a petition in U.S. District Court for a writ of habeas corpus against the Maryland Attorney General and the warden of the facility where he is serving a 38-year sentence, essentially arguing he is being held illegally and should be given a new trial because prosecutors presented inconsistent theories against he and his wife during their separate trials in 2003.

“This is a case where the issue presented has not been squarely addressed,” Sifrit wrote in his appeal. “It is an unusual situation because the facts concerning the claim have not been applied to the petitioner’s case. Benjamin Sifrit was denied due process of law and the right to a fair trial because the state used inconsistent factual theories to obtain convictions against both Benjamin and Erika Sifrit.”

A three-judge U.S. District Court panel agreed Benjamin Sifrit’s due process was not denied during his trial and denied his application for a certificate of appealability, which would have opened the door for a new trial had it been granted.


“When the district court denies relief on the merits, a prisoner satisfies this standard by demonstrating that reasonable jurists would find that the district court’s assessment of the constitutional claims is debatable or wrong,” the order reads. “We have independently reviewed the record and conclude that Sifrit has not made the requisite showing. Accordingly, we deny a certificate of appealability, deny Sifrit’s request for appointment of counsel and dismiss the appeal.”

The federal court judges denied the appeal outright without any further testimony.

“We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aide the decisional process,” the order reads.

Source;  http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/articles/2011/07/15/Top-Stories/Panel-Rejects-Sifrits-Latest-Appeal

Record Numbers In Ocean City For July 4th

If you visited Ocean City over the Fourth of July weekend, you probably felt a bit of a crush. Tourism officials in the resort city estimate the crowds were among the largest for the holiday in nearly 20 years.

The population swelled to some 330,688 on Saturday and Sunday, according to Ocean City estimates. That compares with 318,368 in 2010 - an increase of nearly 5 percent.

The numbers were the highest since 2003, when the town recorded 342,952 for the first weekend in July, and ranks in the Top 5 Fourth of July weekends since 1992.

Officials said estimates for July 4, the holiday itself, put the population at 354,106 - the highest single day estimate on record for that date.

So if your square of sand seemed smaller than usual, it probably was.

Source;  http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/oc-blog/bal-ocean-city-md-july-4-crowds-20110705,0,6908.story

OC Inspires Social Phone App

Brett Martin shows off the new Sonar app he created. /

Thomas Melville/Daily Times

 

The Daily Times

Written by Charlene Sharpe

OCEAN CITY -- When asked how he came up with the concept behind his new iPhone app, Sonar, company founder Brett Martin started talking about Ocean City.

Having grown up in the resort, Martin knows well the transformation it undergoes from May to September, when the quiet waterfront town is filled to capacity, with every hotel swamped with umbrella-toting, beach chair-dragging families and rentals overrun with college students working by day and partying by night.

"You've got that small-town feeling, but it's hyper-socialized," said 28-year-old Martin, who now lives in New York.

The busy atmosphere, where locals find friends for a week at a time, is just the place to try Sonar. The app lets users know who and what they have in common with other people at their location. As Martin puts it, it shows users that strangers aren't so strange.

"It uncovers the hidden connections you share with people nearby," Martin said.

Sonar uses information from sites such as Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter to show users how they are connected to other people who are checked in at the same location.

"It canvasses the Internet for people who have declared themselves there," he said.

It then provides the user with a list of the other people at the location and how they are relevant -- whether they share Facebook friends, went to the same college or like the same bands.

While it functions best at locations such as concerts and conferences where there are large numbers of people, Sonar works anywhere that people might be hanging out, Martin said. He theorized Seacrets during Fourth of July weekend would be a good spot for Sonar.

He said what's great about Sonar is that people do not need to be using it to show up as a connection. If they use Facebook, Twitter or Foursquare, Sonar can figure that out and make use of location-based data in those applications.

"You'll meet all sorts of people you'd never have known," Martin said.

Since being launched five weeks ago, Sonar -- a free app -- has attracted tens of thousands of users, Martin said.

About Martin

A Worcester Preparatory School graduate, he worked as an investment banker and completed a sailing trip from Maine to Dominica before deciding to learn to write code for computer applications.

Merle Marsh, director of special projects at Worcester Preparatory School, said she's not surprised Martin came up with such an innovative product. Martin, who attended Dartmouth College after Worcester Prep, was also a Fulbright Fellow, Marsh said, studying in Italy.

"Brett Martin is an extremely bright and creative young man," Marsh said. "Even when he was in our Lower School here at Worcester Prep, I could tell he was able to think outside the box."

Martin said his early teachers at Worcester Prep and even his summer employers at Malibu's Surf Shop helped get him to where he is now.

"They were the ones telling me to do what I wanted to do, and that's what I'm doing," he said.
 

HOW TO GET THE PHONE APPVisit www.sonar.me to learn about the free app, which is available on Apple's App Store. You sign in with a Foursquare account.

 
Source;  http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201107030432/NEWS01/107030301

Missing Girl Sought In Ocean City

Written By: News Editor, Shawn J. Soper

OCEAN CITY- Ocean City Police this week continue to search for a teen reported missing earlier this month in Baltimore County who is believed to have traveled at some point to the resort for Senior Week.

According to Baltimore County Police, Kirsten L. Ratliff, 16, of Perry Hall, was reported missing by her father shortly before 8 p.m. on June 9. Ratliff had apparently had a dispute with her father, with whom she was living, and ran away. When she did not return, he father reported her missing to Baltimore County Police and an investigation was undertaken, according to BCPD public information officer Lt. Robert McCullough.

Ratliff is a white female about 5’4” tall and around 105 pounds with long brown hair at the time of her disappearance. She was last seen in the Perry Hall area of Baltimore County around 2 p.m. on June 9. Ratliff was wearing blue Capri-style pants and a white tank top, and was carrying a pink bag, at the time of her disappearance.

McCullough said this week an initial report placed Ratliff at a Chick-Fil-A restaurant in Bel Air, but that rumor proved to be unfounded. Baltimore County Police also searched to no avail in and around the Dundalk area where Ratliff’s mother lives and works. After the first few days of the investigation, the search focused on Ocean City, after Baltimore County Police received information the teen had traveled to the resort.

“Her father had received information she had gone to Ocean City,” said McCullough. “Apparently, she had been seen by friends at a party in Ocean City sometime over the weekend from June 10 to June 12, although that hasn’t been officially confirmed.”

Another witness has provided information lending credence to the Ocean City connection for the missing teen. The witness told The Dispatch she was walking on the Boardwalk on Sunday, June 12, when she was approached by a young man holding a picture of his girlfriend, Ratliff, who told the witness he was desperately looking for Ratliff. The boyfriend told the witness Ratliff had been missing since she was last seen at a party on 119th Street on the Thursday before. The missing girl’s boyfriend also told the witness Ratliff’s family was also looking for her in Ocean City.

Meanwhile, McCullough said this week Ratliff is still missing and the investigation continues. He said the search continues on several fronts, while the focus has centered on the Baltimore County area where she was first reported missing.

“The investigation is ongoing and nothing has been ruled out, but our investigators have reason to believe she may be back in our area,” he said.

The Ocean City Police Department continues to search for Ratliff, according to spokesperson Jessica Waters.

“We were made aware of this shortly after she was reported missing in Baltimore County,” she said. “As far as I know, she has not been located. We are actively looking for her and her picture and information is distributed each day at roll call.”

Source;  http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/articles/2011/06/24/Top-Stories/Missing-Girl-Sought-in-Resort

Northbound Lanes Now Re-Opened Following Fiery Crash

A vehicle burst into flames after a crash in Ocean City around 12:10 a.m. Monday, seriously burning one woman and injuring several others.

The accident happened on Coastal Highway at 67th Street in the northbound lanes.

The highway was closed in both directions. But as of 2:30 a.m., Jessica Waters, police spokeswoman, says northbound traffic is being diverted along the southbound lanes between 67th and 70th streets.

The roadway may have been damaged by the fire, and the accident will remain under investigation for several hours.

At least three people were injured, including a female who suffered serious burns to her legs, hands, forehead, nose and chin. Some were third-degree burns.

She was taken to a waiting helicopter at Jolly Rogers Amusement Park and flown to Peninsula Regional Medical Center. She may be transferred to Johns Hopkins Bayview burn center.

One report suggested that the vehicle had exploded. There was one radio report that also suggested that one of the vehicles involved in the accident could have been racing, but police will not confirm.

UPDATE

BY KELLI STEELE 5:45 A.M.:  The northbound lanes of Coastal Highway in Ocean City near 67^th Street have just re-opened following a fiery 3-car collision just after midnight.

Ocean City Police Spokesman Jessica Waters tells WGMD that the vehicle that caused the crash, a 1999 Ford Mustang, burst into flames and the driver is expected to be charged.

She says five people were transported to area hospitals; one person was sent to Bayview Medical Center for treatment of severe burns. The other four individuals had non-life threatening injuries.

Source; http://www.wgmd.com/?p=26736