Numerous arrests made during unsanctioned event in Cambridge
CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Numerous arrests were made following an unsanctioned event in Cambridge over the weekend.
The week before May 24th, Cambridge Police were made aware of an unsanctioned/unauthorized event named “Freaknik” that was being promoted on social media to take place on May 25th in the Greenwood Avenue area at around 4 p.m. Cambridge Police assigned multiple officers to the area starting at around 3 p.m. that day to prepare for possible violence associated with the event and to dismantle any illegal activities that may occur.
During the course of the night, an estimated 400 or more citizens immobilized in the area to include the 500 and 600 blocks of Greenwood Avenue and 1000 block of Cosby Avenue. Officers had to call in additional off-duty officers and law enforcement from nearby agencies to assist, including Maryland State Police and the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office.
Police say large numbers of hostile crowds were present, acting disorderly with groups of subjects fighting and causing mass disturbances to the residents of the community, converging in residential complexes with posted “No Trespassing” and “No Loitering” signs. Multiple vehicles were also reportedly parked in “No Parking” zones that are clearly marked.
Officers utilized speaker systems from patrol vehicles to give multiple lawful orders for subjects to cease their actions and leave the area, with orders given verbally by multiple officers on scene as well. While officers tried to disperse the crowds from the area, a large majority of the groups reportedly became very defiant, belligerent, and hostile towards law enforcement. On several occasions, bottles were thrown at officers and their vehicles, with a glass bottle hitting and damaging one MSP patrol vehicle. Multiple officers had to use force and deployment of OC spray and departmental issue tasers to control the crowd. Several officers were assaulted and multiple arrests were made during the incident.
A 17-year-old from Cambridge was charged with disorderly conduct, failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order, and trespass posted property.
20-year-old Princess La’Niya Justine Demby was charged with failure to obey a lawful order, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest, and was released on personal recognizance.
20-year-old Velouse Georges was charged with second degree assault, trespass posted property, resisting arrest, and obstruct and hindering, and was released on personal recognizance.
32-year-old Shaqueelah Shante Smith was charged with disorderly conduct and was released on a criminal citation.
22-year-old Camren Lake was charged with trespass posted property, disorderly conduct, and failure to obey a lawful order, and was released on criminal citations.
24-year-old Ronald Ricketts III was charged with disorderly conduct and was released on a criminal citation.
19-year-old Ja’nya Sherwood was charged with disorderly conduct and dangerous weapon intent to injure, and was released on personal recognizance.
22-year-old Tei’Sha Na’Sha Simms was charged with failure to obey a lawful order and was released on a criminal citation.
Police say this is an ongoing investigation, and additional arrests and charges may be pending.
