Wicomico County teens facing charges for posing on police car
Four Wicomico County teenagers are facing charges after two separate incidents involving standing on police vehicles. Three teenagers took pictures of themselves standing on police vehicles outside of the Wicomico County courthouse, and were posted on Facebook, allegedly by the teens themselves. In a press release, the Sheriff’s office says the teens “were gesticulating with one half of the peace sign in the photos”.
The vehicles, property of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. “These lawless thugs decided to jump on the hood of the police cars and fortunately the initial three who did it – posted these photographs on Facebook – which is a powers up investigative tool we’ve been using for years” Sheriff Mike Lewis tells 47ABC. Lewis says once they caught wind of the photos, they were sent out to the local deputies that are assigned to schools in the area. The trio were quickly identified, and just a week alter, another teen apparently plays copycat, also outside of the courthouse. All four are now facing charges.
Sheriff Lewis tells 47ABC “obviously when you have these disrespectful thugs who jump up on the hood of a police car – I’m – gesticulating with their middle fingers – to further emphasize their disregard their disdain their disrespect for law enforcement – we’re gonna hold them accountable”. The teens face charges for Malicious destruction of property and climbing on a vehicle with malicious intent.
Some think charging the teens is too severe. One Salisbury resident tells 47ABC “If anything they should be disciplined verbally, but not to the extent the prosecution is trying to do. ” Others question the role of social media in terms of potentially motivating the teens. “It’s just a different generation, totally different like from when I was in high school we might have did something stupid. It’s nothing it’s stupid to me honestly.” Another Salisbury resident says.
Of the four facing charges, three are minors. Two 15 year olds and a 16 year old. The other is 18 year old Antone Fooks of Salisbury. All of the charges are misdemeanors.
