06/01/2026
The Kemper County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to the Ocean City Police Department and all assisting agencies for their professionalism, coordination, and dedication in the apprehension of a fugitive wanted by our agency.
This arrest highlights the value of strong interagency partnerships and a shared commitment to public safety. We thank everyone involved for their outstanding efforts.
Multi-Agency Effort Leads to Arrests Following Stolen Vehicle Incident
On May 30, 2026, at approximately 1:15 a.m., Ocean City Police Department officers attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding on Baltimore Avenue. Due to the vehicle's excessive speed, officers were unable to safely conduct the traffic stop. A description of the vehicle was immediately broadcast to surrounding law enforcement officers.
A second traffic stop was attempted on Philadelphia Avenue near 31st Street; however, the driver again failed to stop and accelerated away from officers. The vehicle continued northbound on Coastal Highway at a high rate of speed, running multiple red lights. Officers did not pursue the vehicle.
Ocean City officers successfully deployed tire-deflation devices, known as stop sticks, at the intersection of Coastal Highway and Route 90. The vehicle struck the devices, puncturing several tires, but continued westbound across the Route 90 bridge.
Deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver continued to flee, driving recklessly and committing additional traffic violations. The vehicle eventually came to a stop near Worcester Highway in Showell, Maryland. Three occupants then exited the vehicle and fled into a nearby wooded area.
A coordinated search operation was immediately launched, involving the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, Ocean City Police Department, Berlin Police Department, the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack, and the Maryland State Police Aviation Command, Trooper 4. Deputies secured a perimeter while additional resources responded to assist.
Officers located the driver, later identified as Edward Ray Reedy Jr, hiding on a property along Worcester Highway. During the investigation, officers determined Reedy had been driving the vehicle.
Ocean City Police Department K-9 teams, including K-9 Mackenzie and K-9 Finn, played a critical role in the search. K-9 Mackenzie and K-9 Finn conducted tracking operations in the area, leading officers to a nearby property where a second suspect, Qristian Gavin Durant, was found hiding beneath a rear deck and taken into custody.
Ocean City officers coordinated with the Dover Police Department to contact the vehicle's owner. Investigators later learned that the vehicle had been stolen from the owner's residence in Dover, Delaware, late on the evening of May 29, 2026.
Reedy and Durant were arrested and charged with possession of the stolen vehicle and with obstructing and hindering the investigation.
At approximately 6:30 a.m., Worcester County Sheriff's Office deputies located the third outstanding suspect, a 17-year-old juvenile from Dover, Delaware, in the area where the vehicle had initially stopped. Investigators confirmed the juvenile had been an occupant of the stolen vehicle. The juvenile was taken into custody and charged.
The following individuals were arrested in connection with this incident:
Juvenile, 17, Dover, Delaware
• Theft: $1,500 to under $25,000
• Outstanding warrant from Kemper County Sheriff's Office, Mississippi, for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon related to an April 27, 2026, shooting incident
The juvenile was transported to the Lower Eastern Shore Children's Center pending extradition proceedings.
Qristian Gavin Durant, 19, Dover, Delaware
• Theft: $1,500 to under $25,000
• Obstructing and Hindering
Durant was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and was held on a $20,000 bond.
Edward Ray Reedy Jr., 19, Dover, Delaware
• Theft: $1,500 to under $25,000
• Obstructing and Hindering
• Multiple Traffic-Related Charges
Reedy was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and was held without bond.
The Ocean City Police Department commends the coordinated efforts of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack, Maryland State Police - Aviation Command, Berlin Police Department, Maryland, Dover Police Department-Delaware, Kemper County Sheriff’s Office , and OCPD officers and K-9 teams whose cooperation contributed to the safe apprehension of all three suspects.
