(SALISBURY, MD) – A combined law enforcement effort in Wicomico County led to the arrest yesterday of a suspect believed to be involved in the distribution of heroin in the region and the recovery of more than 500 bags of heroin packaged for street sales.
The suspect is identified as Paul D. Jenkins, 35, of Harrington, Delaware. After consultation with the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office, Jenkins was charged with five counts of first degree assault, five counts of second degree assault, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession of heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also charged with 10 traffic offenses, including failing to stop at a property damage accident, failing to stop at a red light, failing to stop at a stop sign, unsafe passing on the shoulder, and speeding.
A cooperative investigation between the Eastern Shore Gang Enforcement Unit and the Salisbury Police Department, with assistance from the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force, designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Unit, led to the identification of Jenkins as a suspect in heroin distribution in the region. Information was developed by investigators indicating Jenkins would be transporting heroin yesterday in the Salisbury area.
Undercover police officers spotted Jenkins, driving a Ford Taurus with Delaware registration, in the parking lot of a shopping center in the 2700-block of N. Salisbury Blvd. at about 4:00 p.m. yesterday. A state trooper and Salisbury officer activated emergency equipment on their unmarked vehicle and stopped in front of Jenkins. Another trooper in an unmarked vehicle activated emergency equipment and stopped behind Jenkins. Police officers wearing vests marked “police” approached the suspect on foot, identifying themselves as officers and repeatedly ordering him to show his hands.
Jenkins ignored police instructions and drove in reverse, striking the police car behind him with the trooper still inside. Jenkins then drove forward directly at another trooper who was able jump out of the way before being struck. The suspect headed north on Rt. 13, driving recklessly and at high speed. The Taurus struck a Ford pickup, but did not stop and continued north on Rt. 13 while making unsafe lane changes, running cars off the road, and driving onto the shoulder at speeds over 100 mph.
Police pursued Jenkins and Delaware State Police were notified. The pursuit continued into Delaware on Rt. 13. The suspect drove north until he cut through the median north of E. Snake Rd. and turned south. Police were able to position vehicles around the suspect’s car and block it in. As they were doing so, the suspect was seen throwing a bag out of the car.
Jenkins continued to resist attempts to arrest him but, after a brief struggle, was taken into custody. Police recovered the bag thrown from the car and inside found 520 bags of suspected heroin, packaged for street sales.
Emergency medical services personnel were called to the scene and Jenkins was transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center, where he was examined and released. He was taken to the Salisbury Barrack and later transported to the Wicomico County Detention Center’s central booking facility for processing and his initial appearance before a court commissioner.
No police officers or citizens were injured during the incident. This includes the driver of the pickup truck hit by the suspect on Rt. 13 and the trooper struck while in his car during the initial arrest attempt.
The Eastern Shore Gang Enforcement Unit is comprised of Salisbury Police Department officers who are members of their Safe Streets Team and Maryland State Police troopers assigned to the Criminal Enforcement Division. The unit focuses on a variety of criminal investigations and their involvement in a case does not mean the person arrested is a member of a criminal gang.
Police departments assisting in the investigation and yesterday’s arrest include the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force, the Salisbury Police Department, Delmar Police, Maryland State Police, including the Salisbury Barrack and the Firearms Unit, and the Delaware State Police. The Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force is comprised of the Maryland State Police, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department, the Salisbury City Police Department, the Fruitland Police Department, and the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Cooperative law enforcement investigations like this will continue as police focus efforts on the distribution and use of heroin throughout Maryland. For information about heroin, or how to get help for someone believed to be using heroin, call 211, or visit http://bha.dhmh.maryland.gov/.
10 comments:
Great job guys, need more heroin drug dealing scumbags of the streets.
Wtf are you cops thinking? In such a public place? Why not continue to follow him until he's not in such a populated area such as this? Good job getting a bad guy. Terrible judgement on when and where to initiate the stop. Alot of people could've been hurt or killed in this incident. And most dealers try to run. They could care less about anyone but themselves and everyone knows it. That being said.... You officers need to care. Pick a place that is not going to endanger 100's of people at one time. What if he came out firing? Sure you'd pray he did. But at what cost in the end is it worth? A child run over or shot? Innocent people hurt? Get him as he pulls into a residence. Risk the lives of the dopers there. No big loss. Not the public!
The heroin was almost as likely to have caused a fatality, as that 100mph+ multi-car chase on public roads.
Way to go Safe Streets! Thanks to Terry Cohen for personally getting the Governor to bring the program here.
They have to get them when and where they have the opportunity. No police officer wants to put the public in harms way. Thanks to them for their continued efforts that go on 24 hours a day. God bless them and their families!
great work. now let's stop stetting lower level druggies. Make them face the max too. it could save a few lives.
Pizza anyone .
2:48 I understand where you are coming from, but more people have died in this county recently from heroin overdoses than those who "might be" killed or injured in a police chase. I say, get them off the streets, and the dealer's wares with them. Think about how many people could have overdosed or died from the heroin that he had packaged for sale. Don't forget, we are all maybe one prescribed narcotic pain killer away from addiction.
Had nothing to do with safe streets or Cohen. As for the chase 500 bags of dope it was worth the chase. Criminals run the cops chase them. Great work by the police. They need to be make all the arrest they can on these heroin jerks. There is no safe place to stop a junkie.
You say that until your vehicle gets hit and rolled or t boned and your infant or child is killed. Or a gun fight happens and four innocent people are lying dead. They had them under surveillance. Better discretion should be called for. It be different if some cops just happened across a dope deal. Can't tell me that with eyes all over them they would get away. Wait till its safe.
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