Ocean City Police still searching for koi fish

(July 21, 2023) Members of the Ocean City Police Department are seeking help from the public in identifying multiple suspects in an animal cruelty case that involved fish from a koi pond from the beginning of July.

According to a news release, just before 3 a.m., July 1, a group of five males reportedly stopped at a home in the 10 block of 77th Street. Surveillance video showed the group trespassing as they entered a privately fenced-in koi fish pond area.

The video included footage of the individuals removing several fish from the pond, tossing them around, chasing each other, and using a shovel in the pond. The release said one of the fish that was removed from the pond did not survive.

The group of males also reportedly appeared to be photographing and/or filming the incident.

Police issued descriptions of the men in the video, which were as follows:

•White male; 18-25 years old; short, light brown hair; wearing a black t-shirt with yellow writing on the front, dark blue shorts and carrying a shovel

• White male; 18-25 years old; wearing a black ball cap, gray T-shirt, gray shorts and white Crocs

• Hispanic male; 18-25 years old; black hair; wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts

• Hispanic male; 18-25 years old; brown hair; wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts and gray sneakers

• Hispanic male; 18-25 years old; black hair; wearing a black T-shirt, gray pants and carrying a beach chair

The Ocean City Police Department