Concerned Citizen Report Leads to a Warrant and Firearms Arrest
Ocean City, MD- (May 28, 2021): On May 27, 2021, at approximately 11:14 p.m., Ocean City Police officers responded to a downtown hotel for a warrant attempt. The Ocean City Police Department received a phone call from a concerned citizen who believed Timothy Hayter was staying at a downtown hotel and had active warrants through Pennsylvania. The citizen reported to police that Hayter frequently carries a loaded firearm.
Officers were able to verify that Hayter was registered at the downtown hotel. Additionally, Police Communications confirmed that Hayter had two active warrants through Pennsylvania. Several attempts were made to get Hayter to exit the hotel room to be taken into custody. Finally, after approximately four hours of negotiations, Hayter left the hotel room without incident.
Hayter permitted officers to enter the hotel room to collect his belongings to be transported to headquarters with him. Upon entry, officers located a handgun, two loaded magazines, and ammunition. Communications conducted a stolen check on the firearm and alerted officers that the firearm came back as stolen out of Pennsylvania.
As a result of this citizen complaint and proactive response by patrol units, the following arrest was made:
- Timothy Mark Hayter, 54, Hagerstown, MD: Fugitive Warrant (Pennsylvania), possessed a regulated firearm: stolen/sell, regulated firearm-illegal possession, illegal possession of ammunition, and reckless endangerment. Hayter has been seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and held without bond for both the fugitive warrant and Ocean City charges.
The Ocean City Police Department is prepared and proactively handling criminal violations and citizen complaints of illegal activity to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors. We want to remind citizens that if they see something suspicious, or have concerns about possible criminal activity occurring in Ocean City, reach out to us. We encourage you to call our Tip Line at 410-520-5136, email us at [email protected] or contact the Police Department directly at 410-723-6610.
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