Hunting violation

Maryland Natural Resources Police have charged state Department of Agriculture Secretary Andrew J. Bartenfelder Sr. with a bird hunting violation in Dorchester County.

Police said that on Nov. 24, officers were investigating a suspected baiting pond and discovered five people hunting about 80 yards away from a cornfield.

As a result, officers charged Bartenfelder Sr., 65, of Hurlock; his son, Andrew J. Bartenfelder Jr., 29, also of Hurlock; Tristian Michael, 25, of Caroline County; Sianna L. Graffious, 24, of Talbot County; and Cody R. Mack, 26, of Caroline County, with hunting wetland or upland game birds with the aid of bait. This charge carries a $500 payable fine with a maximum $1,500 fine for the first offense.

Maryland law defines bait as salt, grain or other feed that has been placed or distributed in a way that could attract wild birds to or over areas where hunters are attempting to take them.

Bartenfelder Jr., was also charged with:

Hunting wild waterfowl with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells ($250 payable fine with a maximum of $500 fine for first offense).

Graffious was also charged with:

Required federal waterfowl stamp violation ($250 fine).

Mack was also charged with:

Required federal waterfowl stamp violation ($250 fine).

Federalsburg VFC seeks volunteers

The Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Company is looking for members to join an elite group of people who, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, provide fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the residents and visitors to part of Caroline County and surrounding areas.

Applicants 16 and older are needed to fill positions as firefighters and emergency medical technicians as well as many administrative positions. All training needed to succeed in the positions is provided free by the department.

Volunteers will qualify for tax breaks and monthly compensation as part of the Maryland Length of Service Award Program which provides cash rewards for a specific amount of time served.

For information, message Federalsburg VFC on Facebook to begin the application process.

Teen girls’ burglary

On Nov. 24 at 12:07 a.m., Cambridge Police responded to the 700 block of Rosemont Avenue in reference to an active burglary. Upon the officers’ arrival, they noticed an unsecured side window to the residence. A search of the residence located five girls, with ages ranging from 12-14.

Three of the juveniles were charged with fourth-degree burglary and other related charges and later released to their guardians. The two 12-year-old girls were released to their parents with no charges due to their age.

Stabbing

On Nov. 26, Cambridge Police were called to the Emergency Department at Shore Regional Health for an assault. Officers met with the victim who had two lacerations to the forehead. The victim said that some type of altercation had taken place in a residence at the 700 block of Moores Avenue, where the victim had been stabbed by a 47-year-old Cambridge man.

After an arrest warrant was obtained, police arrested James Lorell Zachary Skinner, who was charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault first and second degree, and reckless endangerment.

Skinner was later held at the Dorchester County Detention Center without bond.

Handgun in vehicle

On Nov. 29 at 12:13 a.m., when Cambridge Police were involved with another incident in the 800 block of Allen Street, a request was made to check on the welfare of a subject seated in a grey Nissan Altima. They found that the sole occupant was seated in the driver’s seat bent over. When officers attempted to contact the driver, the male subject sat up, at which time officers noticed a silver handgun between the driver’s seat and the center console. When the driver realized that law enforcement was at his window, he reached down and pushed the handgun further down between the seat and out of view.

As officers attempted to remove the driver, a 44-year-old Cambridge man, from the vehicle he began to resist the officers and flee. He was eventually taken into custody. Officers seized the handgun and learned that the serial number had been illegally removed. It was also determined that the man was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Azairen D’Montre Johnson was charged with possession of a loaded handgun in vehicle, knowingly altering a firearm’s identification, along with other related charges. Johnson was held at the Dorchester County Detention Center on no bond.

Shotgun threat

On Nov. 28 at 12:13 p.m., deputies from the Caroline County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to 421 Main St. in Goldsboro for a reported tow truck operator having a shotgun pointed at him. The complainant further stated that the male pointing the shotgun at him was threatening to shoot him if he did not release the vehicle he was attempting to repossess and leave the property.

When the operator stated he was calling the police, the suspect also made threats toward law enforcement. Deputies attempted to make contact with the suspect at the residence, who refused to speak to deputies and ordered them off his property.

After all efforts were exhausted to get the suspect to exit his residence and surrender to police, a Crisis Negotiation Team and Tactical Response Team was requested to respond from the Easton Police Department.

After hours of negotiation, the suspect surrendered himself to law enforcement and was taken into custody at 4:23 p.m. Thomas Lee Miller Jr. was charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and rifle/shotgun possession-disqualification because of a final protective order.

Thanks go to the members of the Easton PD, Queen Anne’s Co. SO, Maryland State Police, Natural Resources Police, Denton PD, Talbot Co. SO, Ridgely VFC, Greensboro VFC, Goldsboro VFC, Caroline Co. Department of Emergency Services & Maryland State HWY for their assistance.

Tree stand fall 

The Maryland Natural Resources Police reminds all hunters to wear a safety harness while hunting from a tree stand.

NRP officers responded to a hunting area in Dorchester County after receiving a call about an injured hunter on Saturday. According to officers, a 51-year-old man was hunting from a tree stand when the cable broke.

He was not wearing a safety harness and fell approximately 20 feet. He was later flown to shock trauma by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command for further treatment.

Since most climbing accidents occur when hunters are climbing up or down, police say hunters should always use a full-body safety harness when hunting from elevated stands. They should also review the manufacturer's recommendations before using any equipment.