Page 18 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch December 13, 2013 Police Seek Hit-And-Run Shoplifter By SHAWN J. SOPER NEWS EDITOR WEST OCEAN CITY – Local law enforcement agencies on Wednesday continue to look for a shoplifter who struck a Marshalls store employee with his vehicle during an attempt to flee the scene at the White Marlin Mall in West Ocean City on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the Maryland State Police and the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) were called to the White Marlin Mall in West Ocean City for a reported assault that had just occurred. During the investigation, it was revealed a store loss prevention employee at one of the outlet stores had attempted to stop a shoplifter from fleeing the business. The alleged shoplifter took unknown items and attempted to leave the store and was followed by the loss prevention employee. The employee attempted to convince the suspect to return the items he had taken from the store. The suspect refused and entered a vehicle, identified as a newer model, lime green “boxy-style” vehicle, possibly a Kia Soul or a Scion XB. The suspect then fled the scene, striking the store employee with the vehicle in the process. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect or the vehicle is urged to contact Det. Ja- A video surveillance image shows the suspect shopping in Marshalls in West Ocean City. Submitted Photo son Burnett at WCBI at 410-6321111. Information can also be provided to the Lower Eastern Shore Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Crime Solvers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in this case. BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS • BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS • BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS • BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS Billy’s Pizzas & Sub Shops 78TH STREET (BAYSIDE) 410-524-2020 140TH STREET (OCEANSIDE) 410-250-1778 120TH STREET (FOOD LION MALL) 410-723-2500 RTE. 54 (2 MILES FROM BEACH) 302-436-5661 Guilty Plea InWeed Pipeline Case By SHAWN J. SOPER NEWS EDITOR BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS • BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS • BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS OPEN YEAR ROUND 11 A.M. EAT IN # CARRY OUT # FAST, FRIENDLY DELIVERY ✡❘✰✰✽’✷¤✑✷¤✗✫✫✪✶❘✲✬¤✠✔✔ ✘❘✾✾✦✷ ✍✶✳✱¤☛✦✶✶✽x✗✹✸❑¤✌✦✸x✑✲¤ ❙✳¤✍✦✷✸❑¤✍✶✪✪¤✪✰❘✺✪✶✽ ✘✑✥✥✠¤✕✠✖✑✠❀ HALF-PRICE! EVERY TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, OPEN-CLOSE ANY PIZZA, ANY SIZE, ANY WAY ✑❙’✛¤✡✠☛ BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS • BILLY’S SUBS DELIVERS SNOW HILL – A Bishopville man arrested in June for allegedly operating a pipeline of marijuana from California to Worcester County pleaded guilty this week to possession with intent to distribute and was sentenced to five years in jail, all but one of which was suspended. A joint local, county and federal drug investigation conducted over several months last spring led to the arrests of several local residents allegedly involved in the transportation of a significant amount of marijuana from California to Worcester County. Members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, along with the Ocean City Narcotics Unit, the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in June concluded a sixmonth marijuana distribution investigation with a significant pot bust. During the course of the investigation, a suspect identified as Michael Gates, 24, of Bishopville, was monitored as he traveled back and forth from the Redding, Ca., area to Worcester County. Gates is believed to have been facilitating the transportation and shipments of numerous packages of high-grade marijuana from California to Maryland. During the month of May, the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team executed multiple search and seizure warrants at various residences and a storage facility in the county that Gates used to facilitate his alleged operation. At the conclusion of the investigation, a total of 7.5 pounds of marijuana was seized along with roughly $30,000 in cash. Gates was arrested and charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Also arrested was David J. Gates, 28, of Bishopville, who charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. In addition, Michael T. Herr, 23, of Berlin, was arrested and charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. This week, Michael Gates pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He was sentenced to five years in jail, all but one of which was suspended. Gates was also placed on probation for three years and fined $2,500. Earlier this fall, David Gates pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and was sentenced to three years with all but four months suspended. He was also fined $1,000 and placed on probation for three years. In November, Herr pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana over 10 grams and was sentenced to 90 days with all but 10 days suspended.