WCSO Press Releases 6-16-14

Incident: Possession of CDS

Date of Incident: 12 June 2014

Location: 9461 Ocean Hwy Delmar, Wicomico County, MD 21875

Suspect: 1. David Allen Morris, 30, Delmar, MD

               2. Lydia Mae Morris, 52, Delmar, MD

               3. Barbra Anne Graham, 32, Delmar, MD

Narrative: On 12 June 2014 at 2:02 PM, deputies from Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Travelers Motel located at 9461Ocean Hwy Delmar, Wicomico County, Maryland in reference to a report of a fugitive at the hotel. Upon arrival, the deputies were greeted by Lydia Mae Morris. At this point the deputies could see into the room and identified the wanted subject, David Morris. The deputies entered the room and advised David Morris that he was under arrest for several warrants. As one of the deputies was placing Mr. Morris under arrest he noticed a syringe, two baggies containing heroin, and a plastic spoon lying on the ground. The deputies then noticed a female in the bathroom who was identified as Barbra Anne Graham. The deputies also found a metal spoon with heroin in the bathroom. The two deputies placed all involved parties under arrest for the possession of heroin and paraphernalia due to the fact that both of these items were located in areas that all parties had access to. At this time, Lydia Mae Morris admitted to having more drug paraphernalia in her purse that was used for the purpose of inhaling crack cocaine.

The deputies transported the three individuals to the Wicomico County Detention Center where all parties are being held on bond. Bond was set at $5,000 for Mr. Morris while Lydia Morris and Barbra Graham are being held at $10,000.

David Morris was wanted on warrants held by the Delmar Police and the Worcester Sheriff’s Office in addition to five warrants from the State of Delaware.

  

Charges: Possession of Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance

Morris, David

Morris, Lydia

Graham, Barbara

Incident: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

Date of Incident: 14 June 2014

Location: Snow Hill Rd and East Lincoln Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804

Suspect: Christopher Paul Hurst, 31, Bridgeville, DE

                 

Narrative: On 14 June 2014 at 3:13 AM a deputy from Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle that was being operated in a peculiar and reckless manner in the area of S. Schumaker Dr. At one point the vehicle came to a complete stop and then sped off at 55 mph in a 40 mph zone. The deputy stopped the vehicle on Snow Hill Rd. in the area of E. Lincoln Ave and contacted the driver, Christopher Hurst. While the deputy was speaking with Mr. Hurst he detected a strong odor of alcohol as well as two alcoholic beverages within the vehicle. The deputy arrested Hurst after the administration of sobriety testing.

Hurst informed the deputy that Hurst had not been caught drinking and driving. While en-route for the chemical breath test, Hurst fell asleep in the patrol vehicle. Hurst would subsequently refuse the breath test and also refused to sign required paperwork.

Following an appearance in front of the District Court Commissioner, Hurst was detained on a bond of $20,000.00 in the Detention Center.

Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving while under the influence, Exceeding Speed Limit and Negligent Driving

Hurst, Christopher

Incident: Assault  

Date of Incident: 14 June 2014

Location: 100 block of Downing St, Hebron, Wicomico County, MD

Suspect: Dolores Gravenor, 51, Hebron, MD

                 

Narrative: On 14 June 2014 at 11:41 AM a deputy from Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 100 block of Downing Street in reference to a possible assault involving a firearm. Upon arrival the deputy met with the two victims who advised that Dolores Gravenor exited her home with a rifle while making the statement, “If I don’t get no peace and quiet I’m going to shoot this gun up right now.” The deputy was also advised that while the suspect made this threat she pointed the firearm in the direction of the two victims. The deputy then spoke with the suspect asking her if she possessed a rifle. Mrs. Gravenor claimed that she did not and told the deputy he could search the dwelling if he wished. However, after making this statement, Mrs. Gravenor then admitted to having the rifle and threatening the victims.

Mrs. Gravenor was arrested and taken to the Central Booking Unit for processing and is being held on a $75,000 bond in the Detention Center.

Charges: First Degree Assault and Reckless Endangerment

Gravenor, Dolores

Incident: Burglary

Date of Incident: 14 June 2014

Location: 700 block of Richmond Ave, Salisbury, MD

Suspect: Travis Hitchens, 24, Salisbury, MD

                 

Narrative: On 14 June 2014 at 8:12 AM a deputy from Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 700 block of Richmond Ave in Salisbury in reference to a burglary. Upon arrival, the deputy observed through a window, a man sleeping inside the dwelling. The individual inside the house was later identified as Travis Hitchens. The deputy did not observe any damage to the outside of the home and confirmed that all the doors and windows of the house were locked and secure. The deputy began to knock on the dwelling until the suspect inside awoke and came to the door. The deputy confirmed that no one was to be inside the residence and placed Mr. Hitchens under arrest.

Following his arrest, Hitchens was taken to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Hitchens in the Detention Center in lieu of $30,000 bond.

Charges: Burglary 4th Degree

Hitchens, Travis

Incident: Pursuit

Date of Incident: 15 June 2014

Location: Wicomico County

Suspect: Joshua Robinson-Gripper, 22, Washington, DC

                 

Narrative: On 15 June 2014 at 8:52 PM a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle on Salisbury Parkway in the area of Civic Avenue in Salisbury after observing that vehicle run a red light and obtaining a radar reading of 120 mph in a 35 mph zone. Instead of stopping, the operator (later identified as Joshua Robinson-Gripper) continued at a high rate of speed. The deputy observed that Robinson-Gripper failed to stop for additional traffic signals while passing other motorists. At one point Robinson-Gripper was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane. Stopped traffic at Naylor Mill Rd forced Robinson-Gripper off the road and into a guard rail. Perceiving that the pursuit had terminated, the deputy exited his vehicle and approached what he believed was a now disabled Robinson-Gripper, who instead drove away forcing the deputy to renew the pursuit.

As Joshua Robinson-Gripper drove away, he was dragging both the front and rear bumpers of his vehicle causing a cascade of sparks as he drove. Robinson-Gripper continued westbound on Ocean Gateway again traveling westbound in the eastbound lane before crashing into a dirt embankment in the Hebron area that permanently disabled the vehicle at which point Robinson-Gripper was assisted from his vehicle.

The vehicle being operated by Robinson-Gripper was reported stolen by the Ocean City Police Department.

Upon initial contact, Robinson-Gripper initially provided an identity to the deputy that would be determined to be false.

Upon arrest, Robinson-Gripper was transported to the Central Booking Unit. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Robinson-Gripper on unsecured bond.

Charges: False Name to Avoid Prosecution (Criminal), Speeding, Driving Wrong Way on a One Way Street, Reckless Driving

Negligent Driving, Aggressive Driving, Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device, Unsafe Lane Changing, Following Too Close, Failure to Stop for a Red Signal, Failure to Control Speed to Avoid a Collision, Driving in Excess of Reasonable and Prudent Speed, Operator Not Restrained by a Seat Belt, Driving Without a License, Failure of Vehicle Driver to Stop After Unattended Property Damage, Vehicle Driver Giving False and Fictitious Name to Uniformed Police, Attempt to Flee and Elude and Driving Off Roadway While Passing a Vehicle

Robinson-Gripper, Joshua

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Releasing Authority: LT. Tim Robinson        Date: 16 June 2014