FAULKNER, Md. - A police chase--with state troopers pursuing a stolen, unmarked sheriff's cruiser--came to a crashing halt after reaching speeds up to 120 miles per hour Sunday in Charles County.
When the stolen cruiser got caught in traffic at the toll plaza at the Harry Nice Memorial Bridge, it slammed into a vehicle, causing a five-vehicle collision chain reaction. The suspect fled on foot for a short distance before being caught by the troopers.
Police identified the suspect under arrest as James Lloyd Robinson III, 22.
At approximately 12:58 pm, a Prince George's County Sheriff's deputy was attempting to serve a warrant on a person in the 15500 block of Brinton Way in Brandywine when his cruiser was stolen, according to PG County Police spokesperson Cpl. Johnson.
The deputy had left his vehicle running while he went to the door at the house. When he saw a man jump in the cruiser, the deputy fired his service weapon at the cruiser.
Residents told ABC 7 News they questioned the decision to shoot at the suspect in a quiet neighborhood with children outside.
"The subject made aggressive moves and the deputy, in fear of his life, fired one round," said Capt. Nancy Ridgely, a sheriff's spokesperson.
The car fled south on route 301.
Maryland State Police alerted their officers that the cruiser was south of La Plata and gave a description of the stolen silver Chevrolet Impala cruiser.
At 1:06, it was spotted by two Maryland State Police troopers, Galgan and Ford, who were on duty on 301 in Faulkner.
The troopers tried to pull the stolen vehicle over, using siren and emergency lights.
After the cruiser failed to stop, the chase was on. They travelled 5.2 miles before the crash.
State police turned the suspect over to the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office.
Two people suffered minor injuries when the cruiser hit the vehicles.