Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release 4-16-14

This past weekend five juveniles were charged with theft in relation to stealing Freon from an unoccupied home in Ocean Pines.

Investigation revealed that the suspects would steal Freon from A/C units of homes that they know are unoccupied for the season. In this particular incident they used trash bags for storage. They pull the hose from the A/C unit which allows the Freon to flow freely into the bag. They fill up trash bags with Freon then tie them off.

Huffing, as it is called, usually takes place by persons discreetly inhaling from a bag.

They inhale a gas to the point where they achieve a high or they pass out.

When one inhales the gas they are replacing the oxygen their brain requires to function with a gas.

It should be noted that there have been several documented cases of death caused by exposure to Freon.

Please keep a check on your homes and your neighbor’s homes for people near the A/C units. Report any suspicious activity to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office at 410-632-1111, or your local Police Department.

On April 14, 2014 at approximately 1146 hours Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputies responded to Libertytown Road, in Berlin, Maryland in reference to a female being dragged across the roadway by a male, the witness then observed the male pick the female up and carry her into a residence. Within minutes Deputies arrived on scene and found the residence to be vacant. A short time later the victim came to the Worcester County Sheriff's Office reporting injuries sustained from an assault that occurred on Libertytown Road. Due to her injuries she was transported to Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, by ambulance.

Through further investigation the suspect was identified as Michael Davon McBride, 31 years old of Snow Hill, Maryland. Michael McBride was located and arrested, in Snow Hill by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Snow Hill Police Department. Mr. McBride was charged with 1st Degree Assault, 2nd Degree Assault, Reckless Endangerment, and False Imprisonment.

Mr. McBride was held at the Worcester County Jail on a 25,000 dollar bond.