August 21st, 2015 by WCBC Radio
On Thursday morning, 08/20/2015, at 9:55 AM, the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Midland Volunteer Fire Department Bar for a reported Robbery and Theft which had just occurred. Deputies learned that a single white male entered the business, walked behind the bar, and removed money bags, with an undisclosed sum of cash, before fleeing the building on foot. The suspect was seen entering a tan colored vehicle, with Virginia license plates on it, which was last seen heading north on Rt. 36 towards Frostburg. The suspect was wearing blue jeans, a dark colored sweatshirt, gloves, and a pair of pantyhose over his head to conceal his identity. He did not display a weapon at any time during the incident. A broadcast was given out to all local law enforcement. The vehicle was spotted exiting I-68 in Cumberland. A Cumberland police officer attempted to stop the vehicle, which crossed over the “Blue Bridge” into Ridgeley, West Virginia. A member of the Ridgeley Police Department continued pursuing the vehicle on Alternate Rt. 28. The chase continued at a high rate of speed, with the suspect vehicle narrowly missing hitting another vehicle head on, until the suspect vehicle reached the intersection with Rt. 28, where it rear ended a stopped pick-up truck. The suspect vehicle continued on, turning right onto southbound Rt. 28 at a high rate of speed. The pursuing Ridgeley officer got tied up in traffic, and lost sight of the suspect vehicle soon after it turned onto Rt. 28. Law enforcement officers from the West Virginia State Police and the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department searched the area for the vehicle. The vehicle was discovered by the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department abandoned on a dirt turn around on Scenic Lane, a short distance off Rt. 28. A search for the suspect, which included all the agencies involved and a K-9 dog from the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department, was conducted, but the suspect was not located at that time. The Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) was contacted to assist in the investigation. Numerous interviews at the scene were conducted. Investigators learned that the suspect was accompanied by a female, who remained in the vehicle while the suspect entered the bar. Investigators also learned that the suspect vehicle was a rental. Contact was made with the rental agency, and the identity of the person who rented the vehicle was obtained. The suspect vehicle was towed to the Cumberland Police Department. Investigators are in the process of obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle to search it for any evidence related to the incident. Investigators have also reviewed, and are continuing to review, video surveillance from several different locations related to the incident. As a result of all this, as well as other information obtained, Investigators have been able to identify the suspects. Arrest warrants have been obtained for 29 year old Justin Harold Durbin, Ridgeley, and 31 year old Victoria Ann Durbin, Cumberland. Both are being charged with Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Theft, and related charges. The suspect vehicle was towed to the Cumberland Police Department. Investigators are in the process of obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle to search it for any evidence related to the incident. The crime scene was processed by a crime scene technician with the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division. The Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police, the Cumberland Police, the West Virginia State Police, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department, the Ridgeley Police Department, the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Department, and C3I all participated in the investigation. Anyone with information about this incident, or the whereabouts of the suspects, is being asked to contact C3I, at 301-777-0326, the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, at 301-777-5959, or their nearest law enforcement agency. The investigation is continuing.
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