February 9th, 2013 by WCBC Radio
Early Friday morning, approximately 4:30 AM, a Slabtown Road resident in Frostburg heard a sound coming from the downstairs of their residence. When the resident went downstairs to investigate further they discovered that someone had broken into the residence. The 18 year old resident went upstairs to advise their 74 year old grandfather. When the residents went outside they discovered a suspect trying to hide in the garage. The suspect was wearing all dark colored clothing and a ski mask to attempt to hide their identity. When the 74 year old resident turned on the garage light, the suspect attacked the victim and struck him in the face with a blunt object, smashing his glasses and cutting the victim’s face. The 18 year old grandson attempted to stop the attack by grabbing the suspect. The suspect then grabbed the grandson by the throat and pushed him against the wall, and continued choking him while lifting him off the ground by his neck. The suspect released the victim after a few seconds and turned to flee. The victim grabbed the suspect’s ski mask and pulled it off as the suspect fled. The victims then called 911 to report the incident to the police. When members of the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene they obtained a description of the suspect. He was described as a white male, approximately 5-10 to 6-00 in height, and dressed in all dark colored clothing. There have been numerous night time residential burglaries in the Frostburg area recently. Investigation into those burglaries had developed several suspects. A Deputy familiar with one of the suspects responded to that suspect’s residence. The Deputy maintained surveillance on the residence for a short period of time when he observed a suspect matching the description from the earlier incident walking out of a field toward the residence. The Deputy approached the suspect and took him into custody at that time. The suspect was identified as 20 year old Cole Michael McCormick of Mt. Savage. Investigators with the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. Based on the information already obtained, and McCormick’s arrest, Investigators were able to obtain a search warrant for McCormick’s residence. Numerous items reported stolen from the series of burglaries was recovered at that time.
C3I Investigators then contacted three juveniles, two 17 year old males and a 17 year old female, who had also been developed as suspects. As a result, two additional searches were conducted and additional items reported stolen were recovered.
Cole McCormick was charged with 1st Degree Burglary, Assault, and related charges in connection with the burglary at the Slabtown Road residence. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance and is currently being held on $50,000.00 bond. Additional charges related to the other burglaries are pending.
The three juveniles have also been charged with Burglary, Theft, and related charges. Additional charges for the juveniles are also pending. They have been ordered to be held at a juvenile detention facility pending their next court appearance.
A large amount of stolen property has been recovered. C3I Investigators are in the process of contacting victims to identify property and return it to the owners. The investigation is continuing.
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