Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

On 08/10/2016 at 1710 hours a Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputy, was monitoring traffic in the area of Worcester Highway and Woodside Lane, Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland.

The Deputy observed a black Buick sedan traveling southbound at 91mph in a 55mph zone. The Deputy stopped the vehicle and identified the operator as Thomas Michael Brown (51) of New Jersey. The Deputy smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown did poorly on field sobriety tests. Mr. Brown was placed under arrest and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Mr. Brown was released pending trial.

On 08/08/2016 at approximately 1747 hours, a Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputy, responded to Cathell Road, Berlin, in reference to a single motor vehicle collision.

The Deputy arrived on scene and located a vehicle overturned in a field with no driver. Through investigation, the Deputy determined the driver of the vehicle to be Thomas Edward Scaniffe (23) of Berlin, Maryland. Mr. Scaniffe had left the scene of the accident. The vehicle owner was identified as Ciarra Alexandra Chavis (21) of Berlin, Maryland.

Chavis, who is Mr. Scaniffe's girlfriend, advised that she had been driving the vehicle and crashed it on her way to work. Multiple witness's advised that Ms. Chavis had been at Shore Stop working since 3:00pm. A witness advised they saw Mr. Scaniffe leave Shore Stop in Ms. Chavis's vehicle. The Deputy located Mr. Scaniffe at Shore Stop.

The Deputy smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Mr. Scaniffe. Mr. Scaniffe refused to take field sobriety tests. Mr. Scaniffe was placed under arrest and charged with driving while impaired. Ms. Chavis was issued a Uniform Maryland Criminal Citation for Obstructing and Hindering. Both Ms. Chavis and Mr. Scaniffe were released pending trial.