OCEAN CITY PARKING VIOLATION LEADS TO THE RECOVERY OF A STOLEN VEHICLE AND HANDGUNS

Ocean City, MD - On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at approximately 2:55 p.m., officers were proactively on patrol in the area of the 100 block of 3^rd Street in Ocean City, Maryland. Officers observed an SUV parked next to a red "no parking" curb.When officers ran the tag displayed on the vehicle, it did not come back as a valid tag. The officer then ran the vehicle identification number (VIN) and ultimately learned that the vehicle was stolen during an armed carjacking that occurred on June 29, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Officers were able to utilize City Watch footage to determine when the vehicle was parked on the red curb and a description of the occupants of the vehicle. Officers issued a broadcast of the suspect's description to fellow law enforcement personnel.Two of the suspects returned to the vehicle while officers were still on the scene. Officers detained Jackson Rodriguez De Sena and Briana Hughes. Philadelphia Police Department informed our officers that there was a Beretta handgun inside the vehicle when it was stolen in Philadelphia. Upon inventorying the vehicle, officers located a Sig Sauer handgun inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Police Communications advised that the handgun was stolen out of Reading, Pennsylvania. Rodriguez De Sena and Hughes were arrested without incident.At approximately 4:37 p.m., on July 4, 2023, officers were dispatched to a hotel located near 3^rd Street for a recovery of a handgun. Officers observed a Beretta handgun on the floor near a door frame. It was the same door frame Hughes was leaning against when officers detained her. Police Communications advised that the handgun was the same handgun that was inside the vehicle when it was stolen from Philadelphia.Due to the attentiveness of the officers that were out patrolling the downtown area, the following two arrests were made:Jackson Gabriel Rodriguez De Sena, 18, Philadelphia, PA: Unauthorized removal of a vehicle, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, did steal property with value at least $25,000 < $100,000, theft $100 < $1,500, regulated firearm: stolen/sell, etc., loaded handgun in a vehicle, illegal possession of ammunition, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, handgun in a vehicle, and possession of firearm/ammunition as a minor. Rodriguez has been seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and has been held without bond.Briana Marie Hughes, 21, Philadelphia, PA: Unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, did steal property with a value of at least $25,000 < $100,000, theft $100 < $1,500, loaded handgun in a vehicle, handgun in a vehicle, and regulated firearm: stolen/sell, etc. Hughes has been seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and has been held without bond.The Ocean City Police Department is prepared and proactively handling criminal violations and citizen complaints of illegal activity to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors. We want to remind citizens that if they see something suspicious, or have concerns about possible criminal activity occurring in Ocean City, reach out to us. We encourage you to call our Tip Line at 410-520-5136, email us at crimetips@oceancitymd.gov or contact the Police Department directly at 410-723-6610.All subjects mentioned in this press release are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  © Eastern Shore Undercover LLC TM/SM. All Rights Reserved.