DSP News Release:  Laurel Man Charged after Two Days of Criminal Activity   

Location: 

• 16000 block Pepperbox Road Laurel, De

DATE and TIME:

• Wednesday April 20 and 21, 2011

Victim(s):

• 31 year old Georgetown resident (male)
• 42 year old Laurel resident (male)

Defendant(s) Charge(s) and Bond Information:

·         Mervin S. Lemon-29 Laurel, De

·         Attempted Carjacking First Degree

·         Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony

·         Burglary Second Degree

·         2 counts Burglary Third Degree

·         2 counts Attempted Theft Under $1,500

·         2 counts Criminal Mischief Under $1,000

·         Committed to Sussex Correctional Institute $72,000 secured bond

Resume:

Laurel-Delaware State Police have charged Mervin S. Lemon-29 of Laurel Delaware following a series of criminal and traffic events covering two States. 

04/20/2011-Delaware State Police around 4:54 p.m. received a general broadcast concerning a silver Chevrolet Malibu being driven in an erratic manner on Whitesville Road E/O Delmar. 

04/20/2011-Delaware State Troopers around 6:14 p.m. were dispatched to a vehicle which had been driven into a ditch on Whitesville Road in the area of Smithville Church Road. 

This vehicle was the same silver Chevrolet Malibu previously broadcast as driving in an erratic manner.  Upon running the vehicle registration for the Malibu, State Police Officers learned it had recently been stolen from Ocean City Maryland and was being investigated by Ocean City Police Department.  The operator of the Malibu had already fled the accident scene when Troopers arrived. 

04/20/2011 7:30 p.m.-Delaware State Police investigated an attempted carjacking that occurred on Pepperbox Road E/O Delmar.  The investigation into the attempted carjacking revealed that Mervin S. Lemon solicited a ride from a 31 year old Georgetown man, stating his vehicle had just broken down.  Lemon initially contacted the victim in the area of Bayshore Community Church Millsboro Delaware.   

The victim along with Lemon began driving on Whitesville road then turned onto Pepperbox Road.  After pulling onto Pepperbox Road, Lemon advised the victim to pullover to the side of the roadway.  Lemon then told the victim to exit his car implying he had a weapon.  The victim however was able to push Lemon out of his vehicle and flee to contact police.

04/21/2011 7:30 a.m. - Delaware State Police responded a residence located on the 16000 block of Pepperbox Road Laurel Delaware for a report of a person asleep inside the victim’s camper. 

State Police learned that a 42 year old victim returned home shortly after midnight Thursday morning and discovered his residence door was partially ajar.  The victim however did not notice any items as missing and did not report the incident immediately. 

Later Thursday morning around 7:15 a.m. the victim walked outside his residence and discovered his detached garage had been forcibly entered.  The victim additionally observed a window to his camper was down which had previously been left open.  When the victim opened the camper he observed Lemon asleep inside.  The victim closed the door and notified the 911 center.

Delaware State Troopers arrived on scene and took Lemon into custody without incident.  State Police additionally learned that Lemon had absconded from the Sussex County Work Release program on Wednesday April 20^th.  Lemon is also currently wanted by Ocean City Police Department, Berlin Police Department and Maryland State Police. (Please notify these agencies for additional information) 

State Police charged Lemon with attempted carjacking, burglary, theft and criminal mischief charges.  Lemon following arraignment was incarcerated into Sussex Correctional Institute on $72,000 secured bond.  

       Mervin S. Lemon