OCPD Charge Man with Burglaries, Manufacturing Marijuana

OCEAN CITY, MD – : An Ocean City man was recently arrested for two area burglaries in addition to charges stemming from several marijuana plants being found in his home during his arrest.

On December 23, 2015, at approximately 1:50 p.m. Ocean City Police responded to a restaurant in the area of Jamestown Road and Coastal Highway for a report of a burglary that had already occurred. Video surveillance showed that a man had broken into a cooler in the rear of the restaurant several hours earlier and had stolen alcohol, energy drinks and meat. Through investigation, officers were able to identify the suspect as Thomas D. Palenchar, 40, of Ocean City. A warrant was issued for his arrest on December 24.

On December 24, at approximately 8:30 a.m. Ocean City police responded to a Jewish center located in the area of 137th Street and Coastal Highway for another report of a burglary. The suspect broke a window, entered the building, damaged and stole numerous religious items.

Later that day at approximately 1 p.m., officers responded to a home on Captain Quarters Road to serve a warrant on Palenchar for the restaurant burglary. When officers arrived, they noticed numerous items stolen from the Jewish center in the home. Also in the home were over 35 marijuana plants and marijuana that had previously been harvested.

Police have charged Palenchar with second degree burglary, two counts of fourth degree burglary, theft of greater than $1,000, two counts of theft less than $1,000, malicious destruction of property, manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana. He was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and was transferred to the Worcester County Jail on $100,000 bond.