Two adults, three juveniles arrested following late-night chase in Worcester Co.

OCEAN CITY, Md. – A total of five people were arrested late Monday night in Ocean City following an attempted traffic stop.

According to police, officers tried to stop a vehicle for driving without headlights in the area of 17th Street and Baltimore Avenue, but the vehicle failed to stop and continued traveling north on Baltimore Avenue. Officers did not pursue the vehicle at the time. A short time later, officers on stationary patrol in the 34th Street area tried to stop the vehicle again, but it reportedly fled at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was seen running several red lights and making several unsafe lane changes. Officers at 59th Street were able to deploy stop sticks, but the vehicle continued west on Route 90 leaving Ocean City.

Officers then drove to the intersection at St. Martins Neck Road to make sure the vehicle did not become disabled on the Route 90 bridge. The vehicle was found stopped in the area of the western bridge, with multiple people exiting the vehicle. The vehicle then continued on Route 90 after four people got out.

As officers approached the group on the bridge, they saw one of the suspects, identified as 19-year-old Ibrahim Kanu, throw a bag over the side of the bridge into the bay below. Officers were able to obtain all four individuals, and due to the nature of the incident, searched all four. Three of the individuals were juveniles and did not have any weapons on them, however, Kanu was found in possession of a loaded handgun.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police responded in their boat to recover the floating bag under the bridge, informing OCPD officers that there was a handgun inside of it.

Officers continued searching the area for the vehicle and driver, locating the vehicle parked at a gas station on Racetrack Road in Berlin. The driver, identified as 20-year-old Matthewos Mulugeta, was seen entering the gas station and was subsequently taken into custody.

Kanu was held without bond on a list of firearm possession and traffic charges.

Mulugeta was charged with possession of a firearm/ammunition as a minor, loaded handgun in a vehicle, and handgun in a vehicle. He is being held at the Ocean City Police Department.

The three juveniles were identified as two 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old. All were charged according and are being held at the Ocean City Police Department waiting to be seen by a District Court Commissioner.