On Jan. 21 at 8:54 p.m., Cpl. M. Clark was in the parking lot of Target at 3300 Western Parkway in Waldorf when he observed a vehicle driving recklessly through the parking lot at a high rate of speed. Cpl. Clark attempted to stop the vehicle but it fled onto St. Patrick's Drive. Cpl. Clark pursued the vehicle less than a mile to the end of Millbrook court, where the vehicle stopped. The driver, Michael Keith Cowan, 18, of Waldorf, exited the vehicle and Cpl. Clark arrested him without incident.
Investigation revealed Cowan was operating a vehicle a family member rented and per the rental agreement, he was not an authorized driver. He was charged with fleeing and eluding police, reckless driving, traveling at a greater-than-reasonable speed and violating a rental agreement. He is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before the District Court Commissioner. A passenger in the vehicle, an 18-year-old woman, was not charged.