(OCPD NEWS RELEASE)

THREE TEENS ARRESTED DURING LATEST ROBBERY

Ocean City police arrested three 18 year olds early this morning after a robbery in Ocean City. At 1:00 a.m., officers responded to 23 rd Street and the Boardwalk, where a man was chasing three people who just robbed him.

Several officers responded to the area giving pursuit to the three suspects. Eventually, all three were caught by patrol officers and detectives after a foot pursuit.

The victim said he was walking on the boardwalk when one of the suspects asked if he wanted to buy drugs. The victim said he did not and walked away. Moments later, he was struck from behind and the three men grabbed his wallet and ran.

Officers arrested Duncan Spence of Annapolis, Jamar Patterson of Arnold, and Mitchell Matheson of Cordova, Maryland. They were charged with Robbery, Second Degree Assault, and Misdemeanor Theft. Additionally, Matheson was charged with Concealed Deadly Weapon after a butterfly knife was located in his pants pocket. Each suspect is being held on $100,000 bond.

This is the 17 th reported robbery since June 1 st. Over the past four years, there has been an average of 38 reported robberies annually. This year, a large number of both victims and suspects have been under the influence of alcohol. All victims and suspects were between 17 and 26 years old. Three of the cases involved weapons.

Ocean City officers have been able to solve 9 of the 17 robberies to date.

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June 13, 2008 3:50 p.m. 2008002838 PFC Barry Neeb