Taxi Cab Robberies In Ocean City and Ocean Pines Investigated

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in apprehending suspects of two recent robberies that occurred in Ocean City and Ocean Pines. On December 30, 2010, at approximately 1:15 a.m., the Ocean City Police responded to the area of 5th Street and Edgewater Avenue in reference to an armed robbery.

Officers interviewed the victim of the robbery, who was an on-duty taxi-cab driver. The victim told officers he received a call from a restricted phone number requesting a cab ride from Ocean Pines to Ocean City. The cab driver picked up two males at approximately 12:50 a.m. on Marview Drive and brought them to Ocean City. Once at 5th Street, the two males assaulted the taxi cab driver, taking money and other items.

The victim described the suspects as follows: The first suspect is a white male, approximately 22-26 years of age, 6 foot tall and wearing a hooded sweatshirt and knit hat. The second suspect is a white male, approximately 22-26 years of age, approximately 5’-7” to 5’-9”, wearing a sweatshirt and knit hat.

A second similar incident took place on December 30, 2010 at 9:30 p.m. A taxi-cab driver responded to Brandywine Drive in Ocean Pines. Two males entered the cab, demanded money, and assaulted the driver with a weapon.

The victim described the suspects as follows: The first suspect is described as a bi-racial male, possibly “Hawaiian,” believed to be in his 20s, wearing blue jeans. The second suspect, a white male, is believed to be in his 20s, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and carrying an edged weapon.

The Ocean City Police Department and the Ocean Pines Police Department are conducting a joint investigation of the armed robberies. Taxi-cab and pizza delivery businesses should be aware of these incidents and use crime preventive measures during their course of business. Those needing assistance in acquiring crime preventive measures are encourage to contact the Ocean City Police Department’s Office of Community Service at 410-723-6610.

Ocean City and Ocean Pines Police ask anyone with knowledge about the incident or the suspects to contact the Ocean City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 410-723-6600.

www.wgmd.com

Four Men Arrested For Dash In Robbery Charged For Second

Let's hope that the courts begin to do something about crimes like this instead of letting these creeps back onto the streets!

BERLIN, Md.- Police have arrested four suspects wanted in connection with last week's armed robbery of a convenience store in Berlin. The suspects are also alleged to have robbed another convenience store in Willards on the same day.

Jordan Criner, 23, of Berlin, Takeyah Mason, 21, of Melfa, Va., Akeem Mason, 17, of Painter, Va., and Dalton Entzminger, 17, of Accomac, Va., are each charged with armed robbery, robbery, theft, first- and second-degree assault and conspiracy.

The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation says the arrests stemmed from an armed robbery that occurred Dec. 1 at the Shore Stop store on 11121 Racetrack Road in Berlin.

According to detectives, an investigation revealed that Akeem Mason and Entzminger entered the store, with Mason allegedly armed with a handgun. Police say the pair then robbed the store clerk, and stole an undetermined amount of cash and cigarettes. The suspects then fled the area in a vehicle also occupied by Criner and Takeyah Mason who was driving, according to investigators.

Police say the same four suspects also robbed the Dash In convenience store in Willards, and were apprehended by deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office. Police say the four were later identified as the individuals who robbed the Shore Stop.

All four suspects are being held at the Wicomico County Detention Center in Salisbury in default of bond.

The investigation into the robberies is continuing, and anyone with any information about this case or any related case is asked to contact the WCBI at (410) 352-3476, or the Worcester County Sheriff's Office at (410) 632-1100.

http://www.wboc.com/

Accomack County Sheriff's Deputies Make Arrest In Robbery

Still searching for accomplice

According to Major Todd Godwin, on 10/10/2010 at approximately 11:53 PM, the Accomack County Sheriffs Office received a report of an armed robbery that occurred at the Corner Mart in Oak Hall, Virginia. When deputies arrived on the scene, it was determined that 2 suspects had entered the store and robbed the clerk of an undisclosed amount of money and property. Both suspects fled the scene on foot prior to deputies arrival. There were no injuries during this incident.

On 11/2/2010, Dijon Ryheem Smith of New Church, Virginia was arrested and charged with Robbery and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, in regards to this incident. He is currently incarcerated in the Accomack County with bond denied.

Warrants have also been obtained for Denzel Maurice Timmons of Pocomoke, Maryland charging him with Robbery and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony. Timmons has not been located to date and anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is asked to contact the Accomack County Sheriffs Office at 757-787-1131 or 757-824-5666.

www.shoredailynews.com

Northampton County Court

Northampton County Commonwealth's Attorney Bruce Jones reports that on Monday, October 18, the following cases were heard in Northampton County's Circuit Court:

William Marcel Custis, 26 of Onancock, had probation revoked on the original charges of stealing a firearm. Custis will serve out an 18 month prison sentence that was suspended.

Christopher J. Barcroft, 21 of Nassawadox, had probation revoked on the original charges of stealing a firearm. Barcroft will serve the 5 year prison sentence that was suspended.

Milton Darnell Faison, who was arrested in connection with 3 robberies, was sentenced to 55 years imprisonment for robberies at Rene's Exxon, La Hacienda and B&B Market. He was convicted of breaking and entering while armed with a deadly weapon, robbery, use of a sawed off shotgun and use of a firearm during the commission of a robbery.

Davon Lamar Davis, 21 of Painter, was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment with all suspended but 4 years conditioned on entry into and successful completion of the Youthful Offender Program. Davis was convicted of 2 counts of robbery, use of a sawed-off shotgun and breaking and entering while armed with a deadly weapon.

Sherri Parks, 33 of Willis Wharf, was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment with all suspended but time served for breaking and entering, grand larceny and petit larceny.

Ashley Nicole Cummings, 20 of Painter, was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment suspended but time served and restitution for breaking and entering, grand larceny and petit larceny.
www.shoredailynews.com

Concerns From An Accomack County Resident And Taxpayer

What's going on in Accomack County? More robberies in the local area......two within a few days of the other.

I wonder what happened to the suspect (see photo below) back around the 20th of August 2010 who walked into the Corner Mart in Oak Hall, Virginia and robbed the clerk of money and merchandise and then fled the scene in a black step-side Checrolet step-side pickup.
Did they arrest him yet?

And then sometime around September 7th of 2010 another face appears!

Again, the Accomack County Sheriff's Office is asking for the publics help in finding Kenneth Corneal Birch, Jr. of Saxis, Virginia. A felony warrant had been obtained for Birch in connection with the robbery at Corner Mart in Oak Hall.

Has he been located? Are these photos of the same person?

To be sure he isn't on Saxis, Island anymore. But this creeps me out. Major Godwin, you and I both live near the island and I think the people in the area along with the rest of Accomack County deserve to know what is happening.

You need the communities support just as we need the support from the Accomack Sheriff's Office. What baffles me is why there is such a time lapse between the robberies before the public is alerted.

Now there are at least a half dozen men running around somewhere that are accused of robbing two Corner Marts both of which are not far from each other.

We have a scanner in our home and we are aware of what goes on most times. We are VERY aware of the home invasions that occur.

Why aren't the people told?

Arrest Made For 3 Accomack County Robberies

ACCOMACK COUNTY, Va.- Authorities have arrested an Eden, Md. man wanted in connection with a series of armed robberies that occurred late last week in Accomack County.

Sidney Andre Cottman, 33, is charged with three counts of robbery, three counts of use of firearm in commission of a robbery and three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held without bond in the Accomack County Jail.

According to Maj. Todd Godwin of the Accomack County Sheriff's Office, on Friday, Aug. 27 Cottman robbed the Royal Farms convenience store in Nelsonia and the Tru Blue gas station. Cottman is also accused of robbing the Dollar General in Oak Hall on Thursday, Aug. 26. In all three incidents Cottman held the clerks up at gunpoint and got away with an undisclosed amount of money, Godwin said.

Godwin said that while investigating the robberies, police received a tip that led them to a bus stop in Oak Hall where Cottman was getting ready to board a bus in order to flee the area. Sheriff's deputies and Virginia State Police troopers surrounded the bus stop in their search for Cottman who was taken into custody without incident.

The Sheriff's Office was also assisted by Virginia Marine Police and the Exmore Police Department.

www.wboc.com

Has Robbery Become A Sport?

If you haven't heard and you live in the Pocomoke area the Pocomoke Duck In got robbed AGAIN just a few hours ago! Yes, that's right! AGAIN!!! If I am counting correctly that makes it TWICE in one week!

I don't know about any of you but I find this very disturbing. But I guess this will continue until the taxpayers put their foot down and demand to know. Even then I don't think it will work. And for the life of me I truly do NOT understand why law enforcement doesn't want people to know about crime in their area.

Aren't our eyes and ears a valuable source to law enforcement? If not then please stop asking us if we have seen these people a week after the incident occurs.

Crime is everywhere now. Corner Mart at T's Corner was robbed earlier this week and just last night a Royal Farms was robbed in the Virginia area. I will give our sheriff's department credit because they DO report to the citizens.......most of the time........and aren't afraid to ask for the publics help.

Robberies in stores should be reported to the media the next day. Any type of crime needs to reported to the public the next day............all of the info....... Citizens should not have to be "fed" bits and pieces and rely on "public information.

Sheriff's Office Still Seeking Two Suspects Wanted In Connection With Robberies Near Parksley

According to Major Todd Godwin, on Sunday, July 25 at approximately 10:55 p.m., the Accomack County Sheriff's Office received a report of an attempted robbery of a man at the Anchor Motel near Parksley and at approximately 1:06 the following Monday morning, the sheriff's office received a report of a robbery on Greenbriar Road whereas two victims were reported being robbed at gunpoint by several suspects who fled the scene prior to deputies' arrival.

Andre Jerome Hickman, 26 of Macedonia Circle, Bloxom, is wanted in connection with the same robberies.

Mark Smith, 34 of Macedonia Circle, Bloxom, is wanted in connection with robberies near Parksley.

During the investigation, information was received that led to the suspects vehicle being located at a nearby convenience store at which time one of the suspects was apprehended as two suspects remain at large.

Jernell Andre Pettit, age 19 of Nelsonia, was arrested July 26 on 2 counts of robbery, 1 count of attempted robbery, and 3 counts of use of firearm in commission of a felony. He is incarcerated in the Accomack County Jail with bond denied.

Major Godwin stated that felony warrants have been obtained by the Accomack County Sheriff's Office for the arrest of the suspects at large and they have also been entered into the Virginia Criminal Information Network and the National Crime Information Center as wanted persons.

Mark Smith, age 34 of Parks Street, Parksley, is charged with 2 counts of robbery, 1 count of attempted robbery, and 2 counts of use of firearm in commission of a felony.

Andre Jerome Hickman, age 26 of Macedonia Circle, Bloxom, is charged with 2 counts of robbery, 1 count of attempted robbery, and 3 counts of transport firearm by a convicted felon.

Anyone with information as to the location of Mark Smith or Andre Hickman is asked to contact the Accomack County Sheriff's Office at 787-1131 or 824-5666.

The Accomack County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Virginia State Police.

www.shoredailynews.com