ABERDEEN, Md. (February 8, 2011) – A Maryland state trooper was forced to use his patrol car to end a multi-jurisdictional pursuit and capture a fugitive who tried to run down deputies this afternoon in Harford County.
The accused is identified as Brandon L. Pegram, 23, of Stoney Creek, Va. Prior to the pursuit this afternoon, he was wanted for robbery, felony assault, and kidnapping. He is now being charged by Maryland State Police with first and second degree assault, vehicle theft, reckless endangerment, malicious destruction of property, and numerous traffic violations.
Shortly before 3:00 p.m. today, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office received a lookout from the United State’s Marshal’s Service for a stolen silver Ford Taurus driven by Pegram, who was believed to be armed with a handgun and shotgun. Pegram reportedly held his family hostage yesterday and had allegedly threatened to harm any law enforcement officers who attempted to apprehend him.
Sheriff’s deputies spotted the vehicle at Rt. 40 and Gateway Drive and a pursuit ensued that continued into Baltimore County, where troopers from the Bel Air Barrack joined the pursuit, along with Baltimore County police officers. The pursuit continued onto Whitemarsh Blvd., then to northbound I-95.
Just before the entrance to the Maryland House on I-95, the suspect attempted to ram citizen vehicles. Two sheriff’s deputies were on foot after deploying stop sticks. Pegram nearly struck the first deputy, then lost control and traveled across I-95, nearly striking the second deputy. The suspect then appeared to deliberately drive his car directly at the second deputy, who was able to dive out of the way before being hit.
Upon observing these deliberate assaults on citizens and the deputies, a State Police sergeant used his patrol car to impact the suspect’s vehicle, using a “pit maneuver” to force the suspect’s vehicle to the side of the interstate and up against the guardrail. The sergeant then impacted the driver’s side door of the stolen vehicle to prevent the fugitive from escaping on foot.
Police officers approached Pegram and he resisted arrest. Pegram was taken into custody, after sustaining minor injuries. He was taken to an area hospital, where he remains under State Police guard.
No firearms were found in the stolen vehicle being driven by Pegram. No one else was in the vehicle with him.
No citizens or police officers were injured in the incident. The suspect is expected to be treated and released. Upon his release, he will be taken to the Harford County Central Booking Center where he will have an initial appearance before a court commissioner.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the pursuit included the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Baltimore County Police Department, both patrol and air units, the US Marshal’s Service, and state troopers from the Bel Air and JFK Memorial Highway barracks.
Source: MSP HQ, Pikesville