OCPD searching for suspects in animal cruelty case

OCEAN CITY, Md. – Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying multiple suspects involved in a recent animal cruelty case.

According to police, at around 2:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 1st, a group of five men stopped at a residence in the 10th block of 77th Street. Surveillance video reportedly shows the men trespassing when they went into the privately fenced-in Koi fish pond area, took several fish from the pond, tossing the fish around, chasing each other, and using a shovel in the pond, among several other acts. Police say one of the fish taken from the pond did not survive, and the group appeared to be photographic and/or filming the incident.

All five men are described as being between the ages of 18 and 25. The first suspect had short cut light brown hair and was wearing a black t-shirt with yellow writing on the front, dark blue shots, and carrying a shovel. The second was wearing a black ballcap, gray t-shirt, gray shorts, and white Crocs. The third had black hair and was wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts. The fourth suspect had brown hair and was wearing a white t-shirt, black shorts, and gray sneakers. The fifth suspect had black hair was wearing a black t-shirt, gray pants, and was carrying a beach chair.