SALISBURY, MARYLAND POLICE NAB 5 IN SEPARATE DRUG BUSTS; OFFICER STRUCK BY GET-AWAY CAR

In separate incidents, police have arrested five suspects on cocaine or marijuana charges, including Jeffrey Marcellous Stewart Jr., 23, of Salisbury, who allegedly struck and dragged an officer with a vehicle during an attempt to escape, the Salisbury Police Department said Tuesday. Others arrested were: Melvin Leon Brunson, 28, of Princess Anne; Darryl Anthony Byrd, 42, and Branden Careem Whitley, 24, both of Salisbury; and John William Long, 26, of Eden.

Police said Stewart was apprehended after striking and dragging an officer about 20 feet in the area of Hill and Fitzwater streets. The confrontation started when the officer stopped and approached Stewart, asking asked him to exit the vehicle. Instead, the suspect accelerated and struck the officer before crashing the vehicle into a utility pole, police said. Stewart was apprehended after fleeing on foot near Second Street, police said.

A search of his person and vehicle uncovered marijuana and currency, an indicator the suspect intended to distribute the drug, police said. Brunson was arrested near Linwood and East Church streets in response to a report of drug dealing, police said. The suspect, charged with possession of marijuana and other violations, attempted to flee and strike an officer with a fist before he was taken into custody, police said.

Byrd was charged with cocaine possession in the 100 block of North Salisbury Boulevard. The suspect also was known to police and already wanted, police said.

When Whitley was stopped for a vehicle equipment violation, police learned that his privilege to drive had been revoked and suspended. A search uncovered marijuana. Whitley was charged on drugs and license violations, police said.

Long was charged on marijuana, trespassing and other charges in the 300 block of Catherine Street after a brief foot chase, police said. Long ran when an officer who had observed his "suspicious manner" asked him for identification, according to the SPD.