Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Proud to Protect, Ready to Serve

    PRESS RELEASE

    Date:  October 10th, 2020

    Suspect:  Erle Curtis Tatterson

    Charges:  First Degree Assault (2 counts)

    On Saturday October 10, 2020 a Deputy of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a vehicle for traffic violations, the vehicle led the Deputy on a short pursuit ending in Pocomoke City, MD. The suspect then fled into a residence and the Deputy, assisted by members of the Pocomoke Police Department, attempted to place the suspect under arrest. The suspect produced a firearm and pointed it at law enforcement. Law enforcement then took a position of cover and the suspect exited the residence and fired his weapon one time, but did not strike anything. The suspect then entered the residence and began a 17 hour standoff. Deputies were assisted by the Pocomoke Police Department, Maryland State Police, Maryland Natural Resources Police, Snow Hill Police Department, Ocean City Police Department, Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office, Worcester County Department of Emergency Services, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, Princess Anne Police Department and the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect was eventually identified as Erle Curtis Tatterson of Pocomoke, MD.

    Negotiators were able to establish contact with Tatterson, who eventually surrendered peacefully. Tatterson was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for an evaluation. Members of the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation assisted with a search and seizure warrant of the residence. Continued investigation of the incident resulted in a warrant being issued charging Tatterson with two counts of First Degree Assault. Tatterson was taken into custody on 10/13/2020 without incident and taken before a District Court Commissioner, who ordered him held without bond. Tatterson is currently being held at the Worcester County Jail.

    Sheriff Crisafulli praised the efforts and teamwork exhibited by all agencies involved. “This incident, while unfortunate, is a textbook example of how cooperative law enforcement is accomplished. All agencies involved worked as a single cohesive unit to ensure that the situation was concluded without injury to any person. I am proud and grateful of the professional manner in which the incident was resolved.”

    All persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a Court of law.