Man Accused Of Stealing Vehicle and Avoiding Police Has Been Arrested

SNOW HILL -- The man accused of stealing an SUV from a Snow Hill area repair shop and driving it to Georgia has been arrested after avoiding police for more than a month.

Dennis J. Cross was arrested by officials from the Worcester County Sheriff's Office as he fled from a traffic stop in Berlin, police say.

The 19-year-old Greenbackville resident was in the passenger seat of a white Ford Explorer that was pulled over because of a broken headlight in late July. He allegedly quickly fled the scene, throwing a 12.5-ounce bag of suspected marijuana into the lap of the driver as he exited the vehicle. He was later found and served with additional warrants for his arrest. Cross faces charges of possession and intent to distribute resulting from the incident.

Authorities have been searching for Cross since he reportedly evaded police after being pulled over in an allegedly stolen car in Georgia. Charging documents filed in Worcester County District Court also accuse Cross of stealing a motorcycle from a Public Landing home and selling it to a man in the parking lot of McDonald's restaurant in Pocomoke City for $50.

On June 15, as he was walking around Public Landing, Cross allegedly stole the 2001 Honda Shadow, according to the documents.

"(He) was tired of walking and took the motorcycle for transportation," reads the statement of charges. Later that day, he allegedly reportedly went to Pocomoke City on the bike and picked up a friend, taking her for a ride, before selling it.

The following day, Cross and a 17-year-old, named in charging documents as Dylan Kelly, went to Chip's Auto Repair Shop on Shockley Road -- where Cross had at one time been employed -- and allegedly drove off in two SUVs from the lot, a GMC Yukon and a GMC Envoy.

"Kelly drove the 2003 GMC Yukon from the residence with Cross driving the Envoy," said the documents. "The GMC Yukon had mechanical problems and was abandoned on the shoulder of Route 113 (near Shad Landing). The two continued their trip in the Envoy."

Kelly, who is being charged as a juvenile, was arrested at a traffic stop in the Envoy in Fulton County, Ga., where he was accused of receiving stolen goods and later released. The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services also has charges against him, according to the documents.

Cross is charged with two counts of motor vehicle theft, two counts of theft, two counts of second-degree burglary and four counts of fourth-degree burglary from the incident. If found guilty of all charges, he could face up to 77 years in prison and a $35,000 fine.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled in Worcester County District Court on Aug. 27.

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