FROSTBURG — An elderly Frostburg woman heard a knock at the door and opened it Saturday afternoon, and came face to face with a man holding what seemed to be a handgun. The robber shoved her to the floor, ripped jewelry off that she was wearing and stole more from her home. Then the man took off on foot. The incident occurred about 2 p.m., police said.
Zachary Lee Winner, 28, of Frostburg, was charged in the crime, police said Sunday.
An intense search for the culprit began when police got the report of the robbery. Frostburg Police rushed to the scene and soon Trooper 5, the Maryland State Police medevac helicopter, was in the air searching despite the sleet, wind and ice.
A Maryland State Police tracking dog started sniffing for the suspect’s trail as well. Investigators with the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) also responded to the scene to assist in the investigation, police said. Also assisting were personnel from the Maryland State Police, the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Frostburg State University Police.
The victim, who lives on Mount Pleasant Street, described the robber as a short white male wearing a dark jacket and possibly a toboggan. As police continued to search for the man, another witness gave the police a tip. The witness provided information about who the suspect might be and where the police might find him.
Officers responded to a private residence on Old National Pike in Frostburg where they located Winner. He was held as investigators continued speaking with witnesses and gathering evidence. Some of the victim’s jewelry was found, which she positively identified, police said. The clothing Winner was wearing at the time of the incident was also taken as evidence.
Police successfully requested a search warrant for the Old National Pike residence and found a toy handgun, which they believe was the one used by Winner during the robbery.
Winner was arrested and charged with armed robbery, robbery, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and theft.
Also charged in connection with the investigation was 21-year-old Melissa Ann McAteer of Frostburg. She was charged with obstruction of justice and false statement to a police officer, according to police.
Winner and McAteer remained incarcerated in the Allegany County Detention Center Sunday.
The investigation by Frostburg Police and C3I is continuing, police said Sunday.
Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com.
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