Police pursue military truck from Harford County to Baltimore City

Authorities pursued a stolen 5-ton military vehicle from Harford County to Baltimore City.

The sheriff's office said deputies were called around 6:35 p.m. Friday to a residence in the 900 block of Rock Spring Road in Bel Air, for the report of a stolen a privately owned 1986 923-A military vehicle.

"The homeowner hopped onto the truck, trying to prevent the theft, and the person drove off," Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler said. "Luckily, the homeowner was able to separate himself from the vehicle without being injured."

Soon after, the vehicle was seen in Bel Air. Authorities said the vehicle went down Route 24, before turning onto I-95.

"He was running lights. I guess he ran into a few cars before we started the pursuit down at 24 and Singer Road," Gahler said.

Deputies and law enforcement officials pursued the truck down the interstate. Authorities unsuccessfully tried multiple times to deploy stop sticks to disable the vehicle.

"They tried to get stop sticks out in front of it, had no effect. He was driving recklessly, but not quick -- 50 mph," Gahler said.

Overhead, the Baltimore Police Department's helicopter, Foxtrot, relayed their bird's eye view.

The truck continued into Baltimore City before coming to a stop on Conkling Street, where the driver got out and tried to run away. Deputies apprehended the man, and there were no injuries, the sheriff's office said.

"When I stood up on the steps back there, I seen a big pickup truck over there, and he was trying to get down the street, but he couldn't get down because it was too big. Then, I saw him jump out and run down there and the police got him down the street," said Tiffany, a witness.

No weapon was found.

An initial investigation indicates the suspect, Michael D. Stevens II, 38, of Abingdon, had just been released from the Harford County Detention Center before allegedly stealing the vehicle, the sheriff's office said.

Stevens was returned to the detention center at 9:20 p.m., where he faces charges of motor vehicle theft and two counts each of first- and second-degree assault, and failing to obey a lawful order. He is currently being held on no bond and will face a judge Monday in Harford County.

During the pursuit, authorities said Stevens crashed into multiple civilian vehicles. Anyone who was a victim in one of the crashes is asked to call the Harford County Sheriff's Office at 410- 612-1717 to make a report.

References

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