Darrell L. Webb Jr. is wanted for armed robbery, first degree assault, and theft, after allegedly attacking a convenience store clerk early Friday in Sykesville with a baseball bat. He is still at large.
BYSTANDER INTERRUPTS ROBBERY,
TACKLES ASSAILANT BUT FAILS
TO SUBDUE HIM FOR POLICE
2nd BASEBALL BAT ATTACK IN WEEK
By Kevin E. Dayhoff
A baseball bat was the weapon of choice as a High’s Dairy Store employee in Carroll County was assaulted for the second time this week by a man who robbed the store, taking an undetermined number of Maryland Lottery scratch-off tickets.
The store clerk at High’s Village Road location in Sykesville was struck several times in the head and body early Friday by an assailant who had allegedly threatened him several days before and who then fled the scene after being interrupted by a bystander who observed the incident and attempted to intervene.
State troopers and Sykesville police responded to the store about 6:45 a.m. Friday in answer to a report of an “assault with a baseball bat.”
According to the Maryland State Police, when the officers arrived on the scene, they “located the lone store clerk suffering from multiple injuries from an apparent strike to the head and body with a baseball bat.”
A warrant was subsequently issued for Darrell L. Webb Jr., 21, of the 1800 block of Amanda Lane in Sykesville, charging him with armed robbery, first-degree assault, and theft, with additional charges pending.
“Troopers believe Webb acted alone and at this time is the only suspect in the incident,” the state police reported.
INJURIES NOT LIFE THREATENING
The 21-year-old clerk was transported to Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster by the Sykesville Volunteer Fire Company, with non-life threatening injuries.
State police report that a preliminary investigation indicates that “Webb entered the convenience store and threatened the store clerk verbally. He then used the bat to strike the clerk several times before fleeing the store.”
Police say that in addition to assaulting the High’s employee with a baseball bat, “Webb stole an undetermined amount of Maryland Lottery scratch-off tickets….
“An alert citizen observed Webb enter the store with the bat and interrupted the assault,” say police. “The citizen tackled Webb as he fled from the store, but was unable to detain him until police arrived.”
Webb is reported to have fled the scene “in a dark blue 2006 Chrysler Sebring with Maryland tags 8AK5106,” according to state police.
NOT THE FIRST TIME
Police also said that this is not the first time Webb has threatened the clerk. In the course of their investigation, officers also learned that “Webb is believed to have threatened the same store clerk with a baseball bat several days prior to this incident.
“That incident is also being investigated by the Sykesville Police Department.”
Troopers from the Maryland State Police Westminster Barrack, along with members of the Sykesville Police Department, are still searching for Webb, who has been charged with armed robbery, first degree assault, and theft.
Anyone with information about the robbery/assault or Webb’s whereabouts is asked to contact state police at 410.386.3000.
kevindayhoff@gmail.com
[Kevin Dayhoff reports on Carroll County for Voice of Baltimore]
