April 29th, 2017 by WCBC Radio
On April 27, 2017 Allegany County deputies responded to the Wal-Mart parking lot in LaVale Maryland in reference to an unresponsive subject inside of a vehicle. Upon arrival deputies made contact with a male subject later identified as Shawn Douglas Oates who was seated in the vehicle with several hypodermic needles lying on his lap. Deputies were able to locate drug paraphernalia described as a spoon containing suspected heroin in the middle console. Deputies made contact with the driver of the vehicle who was identified as Bethany Lauran Ritz, who was found to be in possession of a used hypodermic needle along with two cloth belts that were used as a tourniquet. Both subjects were arrested on scene.
Oates and Ritz were charged with possession of heroin along with CDS paraphernalia charges. It was later discovered that Oates was currently wanted on two active warrants in Allegany County. Mr. Oates was held on a total of $15,000 bail in reference to the drug charges and both warrants.
Ritz was taken before a District Court commissioner for an initial hearing and released on her own recognizance.
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