Routine Traffic Stop Leads To Large Cigarette Seizure For Pocomoke City Police

Large Cigarette Seizure

by Pocomoke City Police

On October 18, 2012 at approximately 4:47 PM Pocomoke City Police Officers conducted a routine traffic stop on Route 13 for speeding. Upon contact with the driver identified as Yossef Dahan of Brooklyn, New York and a front seat passenger Ofer Biton, of Israel, the Officer issued the driver a citation for speeding (73mph in a 55mph zone). While processing the citation a consent to search was received by driver, the vehicle search was requested due to having large cardboard boxes in the rear seat area covered with trash bags which showed several cartons of cigarettes sticking out. Upon a search of the vehicle over 380 cartons of untaxed cigarettes were confiscated as well as approximately $2,000 in U. S. Currency. Both the driver and passenger were arrested and charged accordingly and the vehicle was towed by Pocomoke City Police to perform a complete inventory search.

 The Pocomoke City Police contacted the Maryland State Comptroller’s Office to assist with the investigation.

On October 18, 2012 at approximately 7:10 PM Pocomoke City Police received a phone tip on an individual purchasing large amounts of cigarettes. Upon checking with the Store Manager and receiving a vehicle description the vehicle was spotted traveling from Virginia and proceeding into Maryland on Route 13. The vehicle was observed willfully driving at a slow speed which was impeding the normal flow of traffic. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was identified as Lion Forst of Wilkes Barre, PA. In plain view on the rear seat were large quantities of untaxed cigarettes. Forst was placed under arrest and charged accordingly.

Further inventory of the vehicle revealed 481 cartons of untaxed cigarettes. The Pocomoke City Police contacted the Maryland State Comptroller’s Office to assist with the investigation.

Arrested and charged as Adults are as follows:

Yossef Dahan, Age 59, Brooklyn, New York
Ofer Biton, Age 41, Israel
Lion Forst, Age 43, Wilkes Barre, PA

Charges: Transportation of Untaxed Cigarettes
Contraband Possession w/intent to deliver

Both Defendants are currently being held by the Maryland State Comptroller’s Office.


Chief K D Sewell
Pocomoke City Police Department
October 19, 2012

From The Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Arrest Report

 Thursday, July 5th,2012, the Worcester County Sheriff's office responded to a Bishopville address for a reported 911 hang-up. Upon arrival, deputies met with a victim who had reported that a suspect, later identified as William Randall Lewis, white male, age 54 of Berlin, had assaulted her and attempted to steal her purse which contained money. Mr. Lewis had left the scene prior to the deputies arrival. Mr. Lewis was located a short time later in Berlin, Maryland and arrested by deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Lewis was charged with Robbery, and second degree assault. He was subsequently held on a $10,000.00 bond. He awaits trial on those charges.


Friday, 07-06-12, deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff's Office responded to an address in Berlin, Maryland for a civil complaint investigation. Upon arrival, deputies observed Joseph Daryl Webster, white male, age 50, of Ocean City, enter the property. Deputies were aware of a protective order in place that prohibited Mr. Webster from being on the property. Mr. Webster was then arrested by deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office for violation of a protective order. Webster was released on his own recognizance by a judicial officer until a trial date.

Lt. Edward C. Schreier
Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office

Press Release

Suspect: John Edward Cropper 48 yrs old

                 Ocean City, MD

Charge: Violation of Probation for original charge of Arson 2^nd Degree

On Friday June 01, 2012 the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested 48 year old John Edward Cropper of Ocean City, Maryland for an outstanding Circuit Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Probation on original charges of Arson 2^nd Degree. Cropper was process and held in the Worcester County Jail on a $25,000.00 Bond.

Suspect: David M. O’Neil 46 yrs old

                 Berlin, MD

Charge: Failing to Appear for Contempt Hearing Child Support

On Thursday May 31, 2012 the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested 46 year old David M. O’Neil of Berlin, Maryland for an outstanding Circuit Court Writ of Body Attachment, for failing to appear for Contempt Hearing Child Support case. O’Neil was processed and later released after posting a $1,000 bond.

Suspect: Erlin Omar Reyes  24 yrs old

                  Silver Spring, MD

Charge: Fail to Appear for VOP Hearing, original charge: driving vehicle while impaired by alcohol

On Friday June 01, 2012 the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested 24 yr old Erlin Omar Reyes of Silver Spring, Maryland for failing to appear for Violation of Probation hearing for original charge: Driving veh. While impaired by alcohol. Reyes was processed and was later released on personal recognizance.

Suspect: Joseph Allan Haupt 26 yrs old

               Hagerstown, MD

Charge: Fugitive from Justice for Theft

On Thursday May 31, 2012 the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested 26 yr old Joseph Allan Haupt for being a fugitive from the state of Pennsylvania for theft charges. Haupt was process and held in the Worcester County Jail on No Bond.

Man Arrested For Multiple Thefts And Burglaries In Pocomoke

POCOMOKE CITY — Police said a man arrested Nov. 12 after a foot chase has been charged with thefts and burglaries from four places and may be charged with additional crimes.

Wilbert Harmon, 49, of Berlin is accused of burglarizing a property at 200 Walnut St. on Oct. 27; theft from a Rite Aid store on Nov. 9; burglarizing an unoccupied home at 417 Walnut St. on Nov. 12; and a theft from the Walmart in Pocomoke.

Harmon is being held at the Worcester County Jail on $20,000 bond, police chief J.D. Ervin said in a statement. In the statement, Ervin said Harmon is a “person of interest in other criminal activities and thefts from motor vehicles” and said police are investigating further.

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