A suspect who led police on a chase in a stolen five-ton military vehicle hours after he was released from jail is back in custody, authorities say.
Harford County sheriff’s deputies arrested 38-year-old Michael D. Stevens II of Abingdon, Maryland, Friday. He is facing charges of motor vehicle theft, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and failing to obey a lawful order.
“He was running lights. I guess he ran into a few cars before we started the pursuit down at 24 and Singer Road,” Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler told WBAL.
“They tried to get stop sticks out in front of it, had no effect. He was driving recklessly, but not quick — 50 mph,” Sheriff Gahler also said.
Authorities responded to a call at a residence in Bel Air Friday evening for a report of a stolen, privately owned 1986 923-A military vehicle.
“The homeowner hopped onto the truck, trying to prevent the theft, and the person drove off,” Sheriff Gahler said.
“Luckily, the homeowner was able to separate himself from the vehicle without being injured.”
The suspect, who led multiple agencies in a pursuit down Interstate 95, had been released from Harford County Detention Center earlier in the day before making off with the difficult-to-stop vehicle, according to the HCSO’s press release.
After multiple unsuccessful attempts to deploy stop sticks to disable the vehicle, it eventually came to a stop on Conkling Street in Baltimore.
The suspect was not done yet, however. Rather than surrendering to the police immediately, he reportedly attempted to flee the scene. He was not successful at that, either, and HCSO deputies apprehended him without any injuries to Stevens, citizens, or law enforcement.
The HCSO said multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in bringing the incident to a close. They included the Baltimore County Police Department, Maryland State Police, Baltimore Police Department, and the Bel Air Police Department.
During the incident, authorities say the suspect crashed into multiple civilian vehicles. They ask any victims to call the Southern Precinct at 410-612-1717 to make a report.
The HCSO says Stevens is being held without bond at Harford County Detention Center.
Watch coverage from WBAL below of the police chase that led to the arrest of Michael Stevens and the recovery of a privately owned five-ton military vehicle.
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