Full Notification

January 31, 2011

On January 29, 2011 at 1:17am Thurmont Police Officers and a FCSO Deputy responded to the Rambler Motel for an assault. Upon their arrival, Officer Stanley found two men outside the rooms with visible injuries. Officer Stanley learned that the victim, Ronnie Eckenrode, was in a motel room with his girlfriend and their young children. The suspect entered the motel room wearing a black ski mask and a baseball bat and began striking Mr. Eckenrode with the bat. Mr. Eckenrode was able to fend off the suspect with hand and elbow strikes and detained the suspect until the police arrived. The suspect was identified as: Timothy K. Demmons, age 22, of Hessong Bridge Rd., Thurmont. The suspect informed Officer Stanley that he assaulted Mr. Eckenrode over money that was owed to him by Mr. Eckenrode. Both men sustained numerous injuries from the assault. Mr. Eckenrode was transported to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown where he was examined for injuries to the head and back, treated and released. Mr. Demmons was taken into custody and transported to FMH for examination of injuries to his face. Upon his release from FMH, Mr. Demmons was transported to Central Booking and charged with: First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, (3) counts of Breaking and Entering, Reckless Endangerment, and Openly wear and carrying a weapon. Mr. Demmons is currently being held on a $200,000 bond.

Media release was prepared by:

Lt. P. Allen Droneburg
Deputy Chief of Police
Thurmont Police Department