On May 9th 2011 Martinsburg Police officers, Det Lt G. B. Swartwood and Det J. D. Luciano arrested an individual on the charge of Malicious Wounding for an incident which occurred at the Dirty Dawg Saloon on February 13th 2011.
Once at this location the responding unformed officers began an investigation into an apparent fight which resulted with one subject critically injured who later had to be transported by helicopter to Inova hospital for head injuries.
There were several persons still at the establishment which provided statements of this encounter and some information regarding the individuals involved. It was advised that some of the group involved had sweat shirts or tee shirts emblazoned with the Avenger Motorcycle Club logo or name upon them. It was also advised that some of these subjects were Avenger Motorcycle Club members.
The victim was identified as:
Ernest Eugene Cumbie
DOB 10 03 66
Currently residing in Virginia
It was determined that this was the person suffering from head injuries which was taken to Inova Hospital
As the investigation progressed it was discovered that five individuals, four males and one female traveled from Pennsylvania to Maryland and then later to West Virginia arriving at the Dirty Dawg Saloon. The ensuing investigation was performed by Det. Lt. G. B. Swartwood and Det. J.D. Luciano.
All subjects were later identified and statements taken from each except Craig Newcomer who was being represented by council and he and his attorney declined to provide a statement at this time. Two of these subjects were found to be Avenger Motorcycle Club members and charges have been brought against them for their involvement in this incident they are the following:
Craig Lynn Newcomer aka “Guido”
DOB 11 30 64
117 West 3rd Street Waynesboro Pennsylvania 17268
Avenger Motorcycle Club member.
Benjamin Jason Bean aka “4th Grade”
139 Apt. 4 Summit Ave Hagerstown Maryland 21740
Avenger Motorcycle Club member.
It was determined that these subjects first travelled to the VIP Gentleman’s Club (exotic dance club) in Berkeley County West Virginia and then left there for the Dirty Dawg Saloon in Martinsburg West Virginia.
After being at the Dirty Dawg Saloon for a period of time and as they were beginning to depart is when the encounter and fight occurred. As the investigation continued and from witness statements it is alleged that Craig Newcomer aka “Guido” did strike the victim Ernest Eugene Cumbie with his fist and ring.
It was determined that he alone struck the victim that fell to the floor and had to be later administered critical life support and taken to Inova hospital by helicopter.
The victim Ernest Eugene Cumbie suffered the following injuries which were ascertained from a copy of his written medical records from Inova Hospital. These records indicated that the victim arrived to their hospital boarded, collared and intubated and transported by air to Inova Fairfax Hospital.
Clinically, he had parietal occipital scalp hematoma, multiple facial and skull fractures, including a nasal root fracture, a septum fracture, and deviation with a skull injury, also. He also has frontal lobe contusions and traumatic brain injury.
The investigation revealed several witnesses that provided statements in regards to this encounter and information regarding these individuals.
These individuals (Craig Newcomer’s party) then left the Dirty Dawg Saloon and returned to the VIP lounge, exotic dance club. The investigation revealed that while at the VIP lounge “Guido” and “4th Grade” spoke to witnesses at this location which provided statements in regard to the Dirty Dawg incident.
A motive emerged suggesting why this group first left the VIP lounge. It was advised by “4th Grade” that the reason they left is because “Guido” was itching for a fight and he didn’t want to start a fight in the VIP lounge. A witness also provided a statement stating that Craig Newcomer aka “Guido” inquired from her “I wonder if I killed the guy”. It was advised this group than stayed till closing and then departed.
This officer, Det Lt G. B. Swartwood and Det. J. D. Luciano also traveled to Waynesboro Pennsylvania where a statement was taken from the Chief of Police of Waynesboro Mark C. King advising that on March 1st 2011 in the a.m. Waynesboro Council President Craig Newcomer had come into his office and spoke with him in regards to an incident that had taken place in a bar in West Virginia.
Council President Craig Newcomer advised him he had been involved in an incident over the weekend. He did not advise where it had taken place. He also advised he had struck someone over the weekend and the subject had to be flown out by helicopter to the hospital. He also advised it was in self defense because the person struck him and charged at him.
Chief King provided a typed and signed statement in regards to this meeting.
This officer (Det Lt GB Swartwood) was also able to identify and acquire a statement from a member of the Avenger Motorcycle Club who advised he was leaving the motorcycle club but he was told by “4th Grade” and another member of the Club “Jar Head” by speaking to one and by a text message by the other and he understood that it was “Guido” Craig Newcomer that struck the victim at the Dirty Dawg because he wanted to break in his new ring.
On May 2nd 2011 this officer applied for and was granted an arrest warrant for the charge of Malicious Wounding for Craig Lynn Newcomer aka “Guido” from a Berkeley County West Virginia State Magistrate.
A felony warrant for Accessory After the Fact of Malicious Wounding was also obtained for one of the subjects in the Newcomer party also from a State Magistrate on May 2nd 2011 and arrangements have been sought for his arrest.
Benjamin Jason Bean aka “4th Grade”
DOB 8 4 75
Listing an address of 139 Apt. 4 Summit Ave Hagerstown Maryland 21740
The investigation is ongoing with search warrants also being obtained and executed in West Virginia and Waynesboro Pennsylvania to attempt to gain further evidence in this case.
Craig Wayne Newcomer was arraigned on the charge of Malicious Wounding by State Magistrate Overington and his bond was set at $50,000. He was released via a bondsperson.
The Martinsburg Police Department would like to thank the Waynesboro Pennsylvania Police Department along with The Pennsylvania State Police for their cooperation in this investigation.
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