Press Release Offers Alternative to In-Depth Story
Baltimore County police have obtained warrants for the arrest of two teens sought in the robbery of a High's store in the 8400 block of Oakleigh Road in Towson on Aug. 26.
The youths are identified as Mark Anthony Demory Jr., 18, of the 1700 block of Weston Ave., and Jamal Dewon Harper, 16, of the 1700 block of Willow Oak Ave.
Mark Demory Jr. is described as a black male, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 155 pounds. Harper is described as a black male, 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 140 pounds. Both have been frequenting the Towson and Parkvilleareas of Baltimore County.
Detectives say that on Aug. 26 at 9:25 p.m., two suspects entered the store and forced the clerk to open the cash register. One of the two suspects was armed with a handgun. The suspects grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash from the register and ran out of the store.
Mark Anthony Demory Jr.
Jamal Dewon Harper
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Baltimore County police at 410-307-2020 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587). Those calling Metro Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
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Conclusion
By: Daniel Gross
From what I can see, this article shows good signs that the story came almost straight from a police report, or press release.
For one, no one is being quoted in this story. This shows that interviews were not conducted to get different viewpoints, facts or ideas.
The story also simply states the basic information of what occured on this day. It chooses not to dig deeper to uncover any linkages or other things to make the story more appealing and newsworthy.
One last sign that shows this was mainly all from a press release or police report is that for a byline, it states, "a Baltimore Sun reporter." The story writer chooses not to include a personal byline because the story is merely a recreation of a police report.
