CUMBERLAND, Md. – Cumberland police made five arrests Saturday and Sunday in cases ranging from an alleged attack with a blunt object to a stolen purse, damaged property and a large fight on Second Street.
The most serious charges were filed against Christopher Scott Cook, 29, of Cumberland, after police said a man was found bleeding from a head injury near Market Street. The victim told officers he had been walking through the area when Cook attacked him.
Investigators allege Cook struck the man in the head with a large blunt object, then continued the assault by biting and punching him. Police later found Cook and took him into custody.
Market Street Assault Leads to First-Degree Assault Charge
Cook was charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia.
Police also discovered an outstanding warrant accusing Cook of failing to appear in court in a trespassing case. That warrant, issued Feb. 19, was served after he was taken to the Allegany County Detention Center.
Cook remained at the detention center awaiting court proceedings, police said.
Elsewhere in Cumberland, officers arrested 66-year-old Loy Dale Eugene Linaweaver after a woman reported her purse had been taken from a table on North Liberty Street.
Police circulated a description of the suspect and later found Linaweaver near Queen City Drive. Officers said a search following his arrest also turned up controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia.
Linaweaver was charged with theft of less than $1,500 and paraphernalia possession. He was released on his own recognizance pending trial.
Police Encounter Another Fight While Handling Separate Call
Officers were already in the 600 block of Second Street on an unrelated call Saturday when a disturbance broke out across the street.
As police approached the crowd, they said 23-year-old Christian Anthony Mulkey ran through the group and struck another person. An officer arrested him at the scene.
Mulkey was charged with second-degree assault, malicious destruction of property, affray and disorderly conduct. He was later released on his own recognizance.
The case may not end with his arrest. Cumberland police said they are still investigating the larger fight and expect to seek charges against additional people if warranted by the evidence.
Police also arrested Kelly Lynn Carey, 43, after officers responding to a Willowbrook Road parking lot found her inside a business vehicle that had obvious damage, according to the department.
Officers said Carey resisted when they attempted to arrest her before she was eventually placed in hand restraints. She faces charges including rogue and vagabond, malicious destruction of property and resisting arrest and was taken to the Allegany County Detention Center.
In a separate case, Jennifer Louise Martinez, 56, was arrested on a bench warrant for allegedly violating probation stemming from an April 9 malicious destruction of property case. She was also taken to the county detention center.
All charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Cumberland police reported five arrests over the weekend involving an alleged violent assault, theft, damaged property, probation violation and a street fight.