July 18th, 2015 by WCBC Radio
On 07/17/2015 at approximately 4:20 p.m. Cumberland City Police officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Baltimore Avenue in reference to a reported robbery involving a handgun. The victim in this case was able to provide an accurate description of the suspect in this case and officers arrived in the area and began a search. Officers initially spotted the suspect in the area of N. Waverly Terrace. When the suspect noticed officers he fled back toward Baltimore Avenue.
A patrol officer in the area of Baltimore Avenue and Decatur Street observed a subject matching the description given coming out onto Baltimore Avenue and the officer ordered the suspect to stop. The officer observed the suspect grab his waistline and begin to run down Decatur Street towards Frederick Street. The officer pursued the suspect and caught up with him, at which time the suspect began to fight with the officer. The officer was able to gain control of the suspect on the ground and placed him in handcuffs.
Once the suspect was in custody, officers located a loaded semi-automatic handgun in the suspect’s waistband. Also located on the suspect’s person was an amount of packaged, suspected crack cocaine. The suspect was identified as Lester Salmond, 35, of Keyser WV.
During an interview the victim in this case indicated that suspect, Salmond, assaulted them by pointing the handgun at them and demanding money. Salmond then struck them in the face with the handgun. The victim fell to the ground and the suspect then allegedly began kicking the victim. After the assault the suspect allegedly removed money and a cell phone from the victim’s person. The victim in this case suffered facial injuries and required treatment.
As a result of this investigation, Salmond was transported to the Cumberland City Police Department and charged with the following:
Armed Robbery – 1 count Robbery – 1 count
Assault 1st Degree – 1 count Assault 2nd Degree – 2 counts
Reckless Endangerment – 1 count CDS Not Marijuana – 1 count
Firearm Possession W/Felony conviction – 1 count CDS Intent to Distribute – 1 count
Firearm Drug Traffic Crime – 1 count Firearm Illegal Possess – 1 count
Salmond was processed for the charges and during processing police found that Salmond is currently wanted in Washington County Maryland on an open Bench Warrant charging him with failure to appear on traffic charges.
Following processing, Salmond was taken to the Allegany County District Court for an initial appearance. He was held without bond at the Allegany County Detention Center.
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