Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Incident: Burglary
Date of Incident: 27 December 2009
Location: 1300 block of Harrison Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Steven R. Hastings, 31, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 27 December 2009 at 8:32 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to investigate a burglary that occurred in the 1300 block of Harrison Street in Salisbury. Upon arrival, the deputy learned a suspect entered the victim’s residence and ransacked a bedroom before making off with the victim’s jewelry. During the investigation, the deputy discovered that the perpetrator of this crime forced open a window to the residence to gain entry.

During the ensuing investigation, the deputy identified a possible suspect in the case that resided in the 1300 block of Middleneck Drive. Upon going to that residence, the deputy was able to look around the residence at which time the deputy located a Crown Royal bag that contained jewelry consistent with what was taken in the burglary on Harrison Street. While the deputy was on scene, the target of the investigation, Steven Hastings retuned and was confronted by the deputy, during which Hastings admitted to the burglary and theft of jewelry on Harrison Street.
The deputy placed Hastings under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Hastings was detained by the Commissioner in the Detention Center in lieu of $50,000.00 bond.

Charges: Burglary 1st Degree

Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 27 December 2009
Location: 800 block of Cornish Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Darrick D. Mitchell, 37, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 27 December 2009 at 1252 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 800 block of Cornish Street to investigate an altercation that occurred between the resident and her live in boyfriend. The resident stated that she and her boyfriend, Darrick Mitchell, were involved in an argument of the volume level of music being played when Mitchell began to choke the victim. The deputy observed injuries on the victim consistent with her account. Mitchell had left the residence prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

Shortly after this report, Mitchell was spotted at the corner of Isabella and Lake Street. A deputy attempted to place Mitchell under arrest, but Mitchell pulled away from the deputy and began running on Lake Street towards Cypress Street. The deputy pursued Mitchell on foot and eventually apprehended him on Mack Street after a brief struggle.

Mitchell was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Mitchell was detained by the Commissioner in the Detention Center in lieu of $15,000.00 bond.

Charges: Assault 2nd degree
Reckless Endangerment
Resisting Arrest

Incident: Assault / Disorderly Conduct
Date of Incident: 28 December 2009
Location: 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Male Juvenile, 15 YOA, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 28 December 2009 at 2230hrs, deputies assigned to the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center for a Holiday Basketball Tournament were alerted to an altercation occurring between two spectators inside the arena. The two subjects involved were escorted out into the lobby by a deputy and Civic Center staff, when one of the subjects, a 15 YOA juvenile, began swearing and acting disorderly. The juvenile then began to swing at Civic Center event staff in what appeared to be an attempt to strike them. At this point the juvenile was placed under arrest, but he continued to act disorderly and did not want to submit to the arrest. The deputy managed to get the juvenile in handcuffs and took him from the building. On the way out, the juvenile continued to swear and act disorderly in front of other patrons.

The juvenile was transported to the Sheriff’s Office where a guardian was called to pick him up. The deputy completed a juvenile referral that will be filed with the Department of Juvenile Services. The juvenile was released to his guardian pending formal court action being taken by the Department of Juvenile Services.


Charges: Disorderly Conduct
Assault 2nd degree
Resisting Arrest

Incident: Possession of Marijuana
Date of Incident: 28 December 2009
Location: 30000 block of Dagsboro Road, Delmar, MD
Suspect: Male Juvenile, 16 YOA, Parsonsburg, MD

Narrative: On 28 December 2009 at 9:46 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for speeding and operating with a loud car stereo. Upon walking up the vehicle, the deputy observed that the rear seat passenger was in the process of stuffing something between the seats in an apparent attempt to hide whatever it was from the deputy.

Based on those actions and the nervousness of the occupants, a WCSO Drug K9 team arrived at the scene to scan the vehicle for the presence of the odor of illegal drugs. During that scan, the K9 alerted positively to that odor which caused the deputy to search the vehicle. Located between the cushions in the rear seat was a clear plastic bag that contained what the deputy recognized as marijuana. The subject who had been sitting in the rear seat and was observed hiding the marijuana, a 16 YOA juvenile, was placed under arrest.

The juvenile was transported to the Sheriff’s Office where a guardian was called to pick him up. The deputy completed a juvenile referral that will be filed with the Department of Juvenile Services. The juvenile was released to his guardian pending formal court action being taken by the Department of Juvenile Services.


Charges: Possession of Marijuana

Incident: Possession of Heroin
Date of Incident: 28 December 2009
Location: Spring Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Shushen NMN Joshi, 46, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 28 December 2009 at 10:13 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by Shushen Joshi on Spring Avenue in Salisbury. Upon making contact with Joshi, the deputy detected how visibly nervous Joshi was, so a WCSO Drug K9 team was called to the scene to scan the vehicle for the odor of the presence of illegal drugs. During the scan the K9 alerted positively to that odor which caused the deputy to search the vehicle. During the search the deputy located used needles with Heroin residue underneath the front seats. Also located were two smoking devices that had been used to smoke crack cocaine and still clearly contained the remnants of that drug.

Joshi was placed under arrest for Possession of Crack Cocaine and Heroin and was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Joshi was released by the Commissioner on Personal Recognizance.


Charges: Possession of Heroin
Possession of Crack Cocaine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia