From http://www.mdsp.org/Media/press_release_details.asp?identifier=622

(North East, MD) – A Cecil County man is in police custody in Pennsylvania facing charges in Maryland in connection with the death of his roommate two days ago.

The victim has not been positively identified by police at this time. He is a white male, believed to be in his forties, who was rooming with the accused in the 900-block of Irishtown Road, North East, Md. An autopsy on the victim’s body is scheduled in Pennsylvania. In addition to a positive identification of the victim, the autopsy is expected to determine a cause and manner of death. The victim’s name will be released by State Police following a positive identification and notification of family.

The accused is identified as Michal Tuminski, 54, of the 900-block of Irishtown Road, North East, Md. Tuminski is currently being held by the Morrisville Borough Police Department in Morrisville Borough, Pennsylvania. After consultation with the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office, Maryland State Police have filed charges against Tuminski for first and second degree murder, manslaughter, and first and second degree assault. The State’s Attorney’s Office will be working with State Police to initiate extradition proceedings to bring Tuminski back to Maryland.

At about 1:00 p.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police at the North East Barracks were contacted by an investigator with the Morrisville Borough Police Department in Pennsylvania. The investigator said police there had been called to a residence in their borough at about 9:30 a.m. yesterday, after receiving a call from Tuminski’s brother. The brother stated the accused had driven to his home from Maryland and apparently had the body of the victim in the trunk of his car. Further investigation by Morrisville police indicated the victim died in Maryland, prompting the call to Maryland State Police.

Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and troopers from the North East Barracks responded to Morrisville Borough and to the basement apartment the victim and accused had been sharing for about the last month in the 900-block of Irishtown Road. State Police crime scene technicians processed the sparsely furnished apartment in the unfinished basement for evidence.

The preliminary investigation indicates that sometime on May 18, 2008, Tuminski and the victim became involved in a verbal argument that led to a physical altercation. During the fight, the accused allegedly used wire, a belt, and rope to restrain the victim, whom he then put on a bed. Sometime later, Tuminski noticed the victim was deceased. Police believe that on the morning of May 19, 2008, Tuminski put the victim’s body in his gray four-door Hyundai and drove to his brother’s residence in Pennsylvania.

The family renting the basement to the two said Tuminski moved in four to six weeks ago and a short time later asked if the victim could move in. Both men were said to be day laborers who did various jobs involving automotive repair and construction work.

The investigation is continuing.

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410-653-4236 (Office) 410-653-4200 (through Headquarters Duty Officer)

Categories: Cecil County
Tags: Cecil County Crime, murder