OCPD’s First Bloodhound Locates Suspect of Overnight Burglary and Assault
Ocean City, MD - On March 27, 2026, the Ocean City Police Department reported the successful apprehension of a suspect by Police Officer First Class Bartrom and K-9 Mackenzie.
At approximately 1:19 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of 83rd Street regarding a disorderly male. Evidence of a physical altercation was observed both inside and outside a residence.
The suspect and victim were identified as acquaintances. The suspect was asked to leave the residence but unlawfully reentered. Another altercation occurred before the suspect left the scene on foot.
PFC Bartrom and K-9 Mackenzie responded to the location. The scent from an item left behind by the suspect was used to begin a track. K-9 Mackenzie tracked the suspect from the 8700 block of Coastal Highway, onto the beach, and south through multiple blocks and parking areas. The track led officers back toward the vicinity of the original incident.
The suspect was located inside a parked vehicle near where the track concluded. Ernest Joseph Leatherbury III, 30, of Berlin, Maryland, was taken into custody.
Leatherbury was charged with third-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary, and second-degree assault. He is currently being held without bond at the Worcester County Jail after being seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner.
K-9 Mackenzie is the department's newest K-9. She is the first bloodhound in the agency's history and the first female K-9 to serve the department. She was donated by Public Safety Dogs, Inc. to establish the department's bloodhound program.
Chief Raymond J. Austin stated, "This incident is a great example of the strong teamwork between our patrol officers and K-9 unit. The coordination, communication, and professionalism displayed by all involved led to a swift and safe resolution. We are especially proud of PFC Bartrom and K-9 Mackenzie, whose tracking ability played a critical role in locating the suspect."
The Ocean City Police Department continues to focus on public safety through specialized training, partnerships, and investment in the K-9 unit.
Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.
