Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release 3-26-12

DATE: March 23, 2012
CBI Case # 11-0291, 11-0292, 12-0028
LOCATION: Worcester County, Maryland
CHARGES: 3 Counts – Burglary 1st Degree
3 Counts – Theft $1,000-$10,000

ACCUSED:
Jennifer Lee Morris W/F 35 yoa
John Docherty W/M 46yoa
Dover, Delaware

NARRATIVE: On November 18, 2011, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary on the 10500 block of Bunting Road in Bishopville, Worcester County, Maryland. It was reported that someone had forced entry into the residence and stolen several electronic gaming system and system accessories, as well as a laptop computer, musical instruments, and other items, valuing over $1,000 total. Due to the nature of the offense, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation was requested to handle the case.

On December 6, 2011, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office received another report of a burglary, this time on the 3700 block of Sand Road, Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland. In that case, it was reported that someone had forced entry into the rear door of the residence and stolen several pieces of jewelry, a .38 caliber revolver, and other items, valuing over $1,000 total. Due to the nature of the offense, the WCBI was requested to handle the case.

On February 1, 2012, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office received another report of a third burglary, this time on 7600 block of Greenbriar Swamp Road, Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland. In that case, it was reported that a subject attempted to force entry to the residence at the front doors, before breaking out a window in the rear of the residence. It was reported that the subject stole a gaming system and games, LCD television, and laptop computer, valuing over $1,000 total. Due to the nature of the offense, the WCBI was requested to handle the case.

On March 22, 2012, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office received a wanted check from the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office in Coffee County, Tennessee, requesting that they confirm that a .38 caliber revolver that they had recovered had been reported stolen in Worcester County. The revolver was confirmed as having been the same gun that was taken in the Sand Road burglary. Upon making contact with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, Detectives learned that the suspects that were in possession of the stolen revolver were John Docherty and Jennifer Morris. John Docherty and Jennifer Morris had previously been identified as persons of interest in the Bunting Road burglary, and Detectives were able to confirm that Docherty and Morris were still in possession of many of the items that had been reported stolen in that burglary.

Upon learning of the involvement of Docherty and Morris in multiple burglaries in Worcester County, Detectives also reviewed additional burglaries that had occurred in the same time frame, and were able to determine that Morris and Docherty were also in possession of several of the items that had been reported stolen in the Greenbriar Swamp Road burglary.

Docherty was placed under arrest by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office for involvement in crimes in Tennessee, as well as a fugitive warrant from the State of Florida, and was being held in lieu of bond in excess of $600,000 for his charges in Tennessee, as well as the detainer from Florida. Morris was not immediately arrested, and fled the area immediately after being questioned by police.

Arrest warrants are on file for both Docherty and Morris for the crimes in Worcester County, facing three counts each of 1st Degree Burglary and Theft $1,000-$10,000.