(Dec. 22, 2016) Two people who were arrested last week in an illegal gun sale in Ocean City now face charges for allegedly stealing from unlocked cars in Ocean Pines.
Following a joint investigation with the Maryland State Police, the Ocean City Police, the Worcester County Sherriff’s Criminal Enforcement Team and the Ocean Pines Police Department, Bennett T. McNeil III, 26, of Ocean City, and Jenna L. Vermillion, 24, of Ocean City, were charged with running a theft scheme under $10,000, and conspiracy to commit a theft scheme, according to press releases.
McNeil and Vermillion also face two counts of theft of under $10,000, two counts of theft less than $1,000 and eight counts of theft less than $100.
Ocean Pines police also charged the pair with 12 counts of rogue and vagabond.
Both were arrested on Dec. 13 after Ocean City Police and the sheriff’s office launched an investigation of McNeil in connection with an illegal gun sale. Detectives concluded that he had stolen a .22 caliber Smith & Weston revolver from a car in West Ocean City and was attempting to sell it.
Undercover Ocean City detectives contacted McNeil and arranged a meeting to buy the gun that evening. When McNeil arrived for the sale at Sunset Drive and Philadelphia Avenue, he was arrested. Vermillion, who was in McNeil’s car during the sale, was also arrested along with Arno R. Arndt, 57 of Snow Hill and Patricia L. Miller, 52, of Bishopville.
Detectives interviewed the suspects, which led to a search warrant being executed at a West Ocean City residence. As a result, the suspects were linked to several thefts from cars in Ocean City, West Ocean City, Ocean Pines and Glen Riddle. Police believe the suspects broke into 200 vehicles, according to press releases.
The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detectives recovered dozens of purses and wallets at the West Ocean City residence. The wallets and purses had no identification in them.
Ocean Pines Police linked McNeil and Vermillion to 13 of the 15 thefts from unlocked vehicles in the area. The thefts occurred in south Ocean Pines in the King Richard, Camelot, Robin Hood areas, as well as in north Ocean Pines in the Sandyhook and Birdsnest areas.
Ocean City Police Public Affairs Specialist Lindsay Richard said eight vehicle thefts occurred in the resort, but the people who were arrested in the gun sale are not suspects.
“We have not found any reason to connect these four individuals with any thefts from vehicles that we have had here within city limits, only cases just outside of town in the Route 50 West Ocean City corridor outside of our jurisdiction,” she said.
OCPD charged McNeil and Arndt with illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, possession of a stolen regulated firearm, possessing a handgun in a vehicle, and possessing a handgun on person.
Miller has been charged with possession of heroin and possession of paraphernalia. Vermillion faces the same charges, in addition to the theft charges.
Each suspect was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and transferred to the Worcester County Jail. Arndt and Miller were given a bond of $25,000 and $7,500 respectively.
McNeil was given a $50,000 bond. Vermillion was given a $40,000 bond.
Police recommend that people make sure to lock their vehicles doors, even if they plan to be gone for a moment, and to never leave windows down. Residents are also encouraged to not put packages or shopping bags in plain view, as visible packages increase the chance of a vehicle break-in.
Anyone who has been a victim of a theft from his or her vehicle should contact local law enforcement as soon as possible. Residents will be asked to provide a complete description of the items that were stolen and should know the vehicle’s license plate number, a detailed description of the vehicle, the VIN number and insurance information.
To report a theft, contact the Ocean City Police Department at 410-723-6610, Ocean Pines Police Department, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office at 410-632-1111 and or the Maryland State Police 410-641-3101.
Following a joint investigation with the Maryland State Police, the Ocean City Police, the Worcester County Sherriff’s Criminal Enforcement Team and the Ocean Pines Police Department, Bennett T. McNeil III, 26, of Ocean City, and Jenna L. Vermillion, 24, of Ocean City, were charged with running a theft scheme under $10,000, and conspiracy to commit a theft scheme, according to press releases.
McNeil and Vermillion also face two counts of theft of under $10,000, two counts of theft less than $1,000 and eight counts of theft less than $100.
Ocean Pines police also charged the pair with 12 counts of rogue and vagabond.
Both were arrested on Dec. 13 after Ocean City Police and the sheriff’s office launched an investigation of McNeil in connection with an illegal gun sale. Detectives concluded that he had stolen a .22 caliber Smith & Weston revolver from a car in West Ocean City and was attempting to sell it.
Undercover Ocean City detectives contacted McNeil and arranged a meeting to buy the gun that evening. When McNeil arrived for the sale at Sunset Drive and Philadelphia Avenue, he was arrested. Vermillion, who was in McNeil’s car during the sale, was also arrested along with Arno R. Arndt, 57 of Snow Hill and Patricia L. Miller, 52, of Bishopville.
Detectives interviewed the suspects, which led to a search warrant being executed at a West Ocean City residence. As a result, the suspects were linked to several thefts from cars in Ocean City, West Ocean City, Ocean Pines and Glen Riddle. Police believe the suspects broke into 200 vehicles, according to press releases.
The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detectives recovered dozens of purses and wallets at the West Ocean City residence. The wallets and purses had no identification in them.
Ocean Pines Police linked McNeil and Vermillion to 13 of the 15 thefts from unlocked vehicles in the area. The thefts occurred in south Ocean Pines in the King Richard, Camelot, Robin Hood areas, as well as in north Ocean Pines in the Sandyhook and Birdsnest areas.
Ocean City Police Public Affairs Specialist Lindsay Richard said eight vehicle thefts occurred in the resort, but the people who were arrested in the gun sale are not suspects.
“We have not found any reason to connect these four individuals with any thefts from vehicles that we have had here within city limits, only cases just outside of town in the Route 50 West Ocean City corridor outside of our jurisdiction,” she said.
OCPD charged McNeil and Arndt with illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, possession of a stolen regulated firearm, possessing a handgun in a vehicle, and possessing a handgun on person.
Miller has been charged with possession of heroin and possession of paraphernalia. Vermillion faces the same charges, in addition to the theft charges.
Each suspect was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and transferred to the Worcester County Jail. Arndt and Miller were given a bond of $25,000 and $7,500 respectively.
McNeil was given a $50,000 bond. Vermillion was given a $40,000 bond.
Police recommend that people make sure to lock their vehicles doors, even if they plan to be gone for a moment, and to never leave windows down. Residents are also encouraged to not put packages or shopping bags in plain view, as visible packages increase the chance of a vehicle break-in.
Anyone who has been a victim of a theft from his or her vehicle should contact local law enforcement as soon as possible. Residents will be asked to provide a complete description of the items that were stolen and should know the vehicle’s license plate number, a detailed description of the vehicle, the VIN number and insurance information.
To report a theft, contact the Ocean City Police Department at 410-723-6610, Ocean Pines Police Department, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office at 410-632-1111 and or the Maryland State Police 410-641-3101.