Dorchester police and fire

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Fatal car crash

Deputy State Fire Marshals are working alongside the Maryland State Police Crash Team to investigate a fatal motor vehicle collision in Wicomico County. The Westside VFD along with neighboring departments were alerted to the crash at 12 p.m. Jan. 23.

The incident involved a 2001 Dodge pickup truck that for unknown reasons left the roadway, colliding with metal bollards near the Westside Fire Station located at 21045 Nanticoke Road, Bivalve.

The truck came to rest just feet from the fire station and as a result of the crash the vehicle caught fire. Once the flames were extinguished, a sole occupant was found deceased inside the wreckage.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Maryland State Police Crash Team. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. 

The remains of the deceased were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for identification and cause of death.

Shooting

On Jan. 22 at approximately 10 p.m., CPD officers responded to the 400 block of Charles Street in reference to a home that had been hit by gunfire. Officers contacted the victim in the residence and observed damage where a bullet had gone through the front window, through another wall and landed in the kitchen.

Other officers located spent shell casings in the roadway in front of the residence. Currently there are no suspects. The Cambridge Police Department is asking for assistance from the community with any information on who may be involved. Call 410-228-3333. Callers may remain anonymous.

Assault

On Jan. 18 at approximately 5:51 p.m., Cambridge Police Department officers responded to the 300 block of Appleby School Road for a disturbance. Officers contacted a 22-year-old Cambridge woman and a 24-year-old Cambridge man who both reside at the residence.

Both reported that they had been assaulted and the incident occurred over bills not being paid. Contact was also made with multiple other witnesses at the residence who corroborated the assault claims.

Both Harley Baker and Tyler Baker were arrested and transported to CPD for processing. Both had their initial appearance before a court commissioner, and both were released on their personal recognizance.

Armed with a sword

A 56-year-old Cambridge man was arrested on Jan. 18, after being found carrying a samurai sword downtown.

On that day at approximately 7:32 p.m., CPD officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Race Street for a report of a subject with a sword. While enroute, an officer observed a subject walking on Washington Street around Meadow Avenue who matched the description given and who was holding an object which looked like a sword under his coat.

As the officer turned around, the subject ducked between houses. The officer was able to locate him by a house on Peachblossom Avenue and Washington Street. Next to the subject was a samurai sword in its sheath.

The man at first gave officers a false name, and finally provided the correct name of Wallace Henry Keene. Keene was found to have an active parole retake warrant.

He was arrested and transported to CPD for processing. The samurai sword was not used in any crime, police say, and was placed into evidence for safe-keeping for Keene. He had his initial appearance before a court commissioner and was turned over to the Dorchester County Detention Center on no bond. Keene was charged with:

- Fraud identity to avoid prosecution

- False statement to officer

- Obstruct and hinder

The parole retake warrant is being used as a detainer at the Dorchester County Detention Center until Keene can be picked up by Parole and Probation.

Theft

On Jan. 19 at approximately 1:18 p.m., CPD officers received a call of a theft from Walmart. After a pursuit, they arrested a 47-year-old Hurlock woman.

Prior to officers’ arrival at Walmart, the suspect had been located and stopped on a traffic stop by the Maryland State Police on Route 50 at Aries Road. CPD officers responded to that location, where they met with Walmart Asset Protection Officers. The APO said the suspect had been observed taking jewelry and passing all points of sale without paying for the items.

The APO confronted the suspect at Walmart and retrieved the items, but the suspect did not comply with staying at Walmart and fled in a vehicle.

The APO at that time observed an MSP trooper, whom he waived down and provided the information to locate the suspect. Sylvia Malone was issued a criminal citation and released on her signature. Malone was charged with theft less than $100 value.

Disorderly conduct

On Jan. 20 at approximately 11:12 a.m., CPD officers responded to the area of the bus stop at Dorchester Square in reference to an unconscious subject. Officers contacted a 64-year-old Cambridge man, who was found to be sleeping at the bus stop and heavily intoxicated.

After officers woke him, he was informed that he needed to leave the area. He refused to do so and started acting in a disorderly manner, causing disturbances to other citizens in that area. He

was placed under arrest, transported to CPD for processing and issued a criminal citation. He was released on his signature. Donald Lauck was charged with disorderly conduct.

DUI/CDS violation

On Jan. 20 at approximately 11:23 p.m., CPD officers responded to the area of Boundary Avenue and Race Street for a check on the welfare of a subject who appeared to be unresponsive in a vehicle. After investigation, a 35-year-old Cambridge man was arrested.

Officers noted that the vehicle was at the intersection in the roadway running with a turn signal on with another vehicle waiting behind it upon officers’ arrival. Officers approached the vehicle and noticed that the driver was in a reclined position of the driver’s seat and appeared to be unconscious.

Officers checked on the driver, who woke up and started to let his foot off the pedal, causing the vehicle to go into motion. The driver was able to put the vehicle in park.

Officers observed signs that the driver was possibly impaired to drive a vehicle safely. They administered standardized field sobriety tests which were not passed.

The man was placed into custody. In a search of the vehicle, officers located packaging and CDS paraphernalia with suspected heroin residue. The suspect was also found not to have a license and had a suspended driving status. He was transported to CPD for processing. Steven Wheeler was later issued multiple traffic citations and criminal citations and released on his signature. Wheeler was charged with the following:

  • CDS possession not cannabis (heroin)
  • CDS possession paraphernalia
  • Driving on suspended license
  • Driving without a license
  • Multiple other related minor traffic citations.

Theft

On Jan. 21 at approximately 6 p.m., CPD officers were at Walmart for a shoplifting complaint. While at that location investigating, officers observed an unrelated shoplifting in progress. Officers observed a female subject conceal multiple items of merchandise in a bag and on her person, then proceed past all points of sale to leave the store.

Officers and Walmart Asset Protection Officers contacted the female subject, a 35-year-old Cambridge woman. The property was returned to Walmart.

The woman was issued a criminal citation and released on her signature of the citation. Shatira Monet Flamer was charged with theft $100 to under $1,500.

Officers learned that Flamer had an active bench warrant out of Dorchester County for failure to appear in court on July 13, 2022, on an original charge of driving on suspended license. Flamer was arrested and transported to CPD for processing. Flamer had her initial appearance before a court commissioner and was released on $3,000 unsecured bond.

Flamer also had an active arrest warrant out of Talbot County for theft $100 to under $1,500. Flamer was arrested and transported to CPD for processing. Flamer had her initial appearance before a court commissioner and released on $3,000 unsecured bond.

Charges stem from an incident that occurred on June 20, 2022, at Walmart in Easton, where Flamer allegedly stole merchandise. Easton Police Department responded and took the report and filed for charges against Flamer at District Court.

CDS possession

On Jan. 23, 2023, at approximately 8:26 a.m., CPD officers located a 37-year-old Cambridge man in the 800 block of Mace’s Lane, who had an active bench warrant for failure to appear on Feb. 9, 2022, on an original charge of CDS possession not cannabis and CDS possession paraphernalia.

He was arrested and transported to CPD for processing. Durrell Harrison Carr had his initial appearance before a court commissioner and was turned over to the Dorchester County Detention Center on no bond.

Carr also had an active bench warrant for failure to appear on Feb. 9, 2022, on an original charge of driving while impaired by alcohol. Carr was arrested and transported to CPD for processing. Carr had his initial appearance before a court commissioner and was turned over to the Dorchester County Detention Center on no bond.

Assault, false imprisonment

On Jan. 22 at approximately 4:46 p.m., CPD officers located a 24-year-old Cambridge man in the 700 block of Cattail Cove, who had an active arrest warrant. He was arrested and transported to CPD for processing, had his initial appearance before a court commissioner and was released on $5,000 unsecured bond. Nicholas Tyler Rafer was charged with assault 2nd degree and false imprisonment.

Charges stem from an incident that occurred on Jan. 22, at approximately 1:09 a.m. in the 700 block of Cattail Cove. CPD officers had responded to the location for a disturbance. Contact was made with the victim who reported they had been held against their will in a vehicle since 10 p.m. Jan. 21. The suspect was not on scene at the time of the call. CPD officers applied for charges with the District Court commissioner where an arrest warrant was issued.

Theft

On Jan. 21 at approximately 5:02 p.m., CPD officers responded to Walmart in reference to a theft. Contact was made with Asset Protection Officers who observed a subject concealing items on his person. The subject passed all points of sale without paying for the items.

The subject, a 38-year-old Hurlock man, said he took the items due to being homeless. He was issued a criminal citation and released on his signature. Tyrone Anthony Cropper was charged with theft less than $100.

Assault

On Jan. 24, CPD officers responded to Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown, Delaware, for an extradition of a 21-year-old Cambridge man who had multiple active warrants for his arrest in Maryland. The man was transported to CPD for processing where he later had his initial appearance before a court commissioner.

Kyjae Curtis Matthews was later turned over to the Dorchester County Department of Corrections on no bond.

On Aug. 11, 2022, CPD officers had been contacted by the complainant in reference to a disturbance that occurred on Aug. 10, 2022, at approximately 8:30 a.m. The victim reported a verbal argument began between the parties when Matthews assaulted the victim by strangling him or her.

The altercation continued, with other victims also being assaulted. CPD applied for charges against the suspect, and the court commissioner issued an arrest warrant.

  • Warrant #1: Bench Warrant - Failing to Appear in Court on Aug. 22, 2022, for Violating Drug Court Conditions.
  • Warrant #2: Bench Warrant - Violation of Probation on Sept. 30, 2020. Warrant issued Dec. 14, 2022, on original charges of Assault 2nd Degree, Affray, Disorderly Conduct, Trespass.
  • Warrant #3: Arrest Warrant out of Talbot County – Assault 2nd Degree, Malicious Destruction of Property (2 counts). Charges stem from an incident that occurred on Oct. 15, 2022, in the 9000 block of Honeysuckle Drive, Easton.
  • Warrant #4: Arrest Warrant – Assault 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree (three counts), Reckless Endangerment. Charges stem from an incident that occurred on Aug. 10, 2022, in the 600 block of Greenwood Avenue.

Warrant service

On Jan. 25 at approximately 4:22 p.m., CPD officers responded to the 800 block of Fieldcrest for a check on the welfare of a subject/disturbance call. Officers contacted a 34-year-old Wilmington, Delaware, man who had an active bench warrant in Talbot County for failure to appear on July 7, 2021, on original charges of driving on a suspended license.

Stephen Wayne Jackson was arrested and transported to CPD for processing. Jackson had his initial appearance before a court commissioner and was released on his personal recognizance.

DUI

On Jan. 26 at approximately 4:47 p.m., CPD officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a stop sign violation at Rambler Road and Maryland Avenue. Officers contacted the driver, a 66-year-old Cambridge man.

Officers could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle along with an alcoholic beverage inside of the vehicle, a statement from the CPD said. Officers also noted other indicators that the driver might have been impaired. Officers administered standardized field sobriety tests, which were not passed.

Martin Jessie Hunteman was arrested and transported to CPD for processing. Hunteman was later released on his signature of citations. Hunteman was charged with the following:

  • Driving vehicle while under the influence of alcohol
  • Driving vehicle while impaired by alcohol.

Unlawful taking

On Jan. 27 at approximately 1:15 a.m., CPD officers located a 48-year-old Cambridge man in the 500 block of High Street. The man had a criminal summons served on him and was released on his signature.

Steve Johnson was charged with the following:

  • Motor vehicle unlawful taking
  • Theft $1,500 to under $25,000
  • Unauthorized removal of motor vehicle

Charges stem from an incident that occurred on Dec. 27, 2022, when CPD officers responded to the 700 block of Cornish Drive in reference to a stolen vehicle. The victim reported that their vehicle had been lent to a friend with the agreement that if anything happened to the friend that it be returned.

The friend died, and the vehicle was not returned. Johnson was implicated by the victim as still being in possession of the vehicle and allegedly refusing to return it. CPD officers applied for charges with the court commission who issued a criminal summons.

CDS/Handgun Arrest

On Jan. 21 at approximately 2:50 a.m., deputies from the Talbot County Sheriff's Office stopped a motor vehicle on Ocean Gateway near Wise Lane for moving violations. Deputies identified the driver as a 27-year-old man.

Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle, locating a loaded handgun, marijuana and ecstasy tablets. The man attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended a short distance from the vehicle.

Draquan Tremarr Young was placed under arrest and charged with unlawful possession and transport of a handgun by a prohibited person, possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, resisting arrest and driving under the influence of alcohol.

He was transported to the Talbot County Central Booking facility for processing and an initial appearance before a District Court commissioner. Young was held pending further action by the court.

CDS arrest

On Jan. 23, deputies from the Talbot County Sheriff's Office stopped a motor vehicle on Ocean Gateway near Dutchman’s Lane for an equipment violation. Deputies identified the driver as a 22-year-old Cambridge man.

Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle and located 363 grams of marijuana. Aaron Simmons McCarthy was issued a criminal citation for possessing criminal amounts of marijuana and released from the scene.                   

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