Matthew Reginald Fowler, 49, of Waldorf, Md. (Booking photo via CCSO)UPDATE 25-OCT-2017: The original story indicated the suspect fled twice in a PGFD marked vehicle. While he did flee twice, the first time was in his personally owned truck (the Ford F-150). He switched vehicles at the Silver Hill Fire Department and returned to his house in the fire department's marked Ford Explorer. Also, Mr. Fowler was charged in both cases and was issued a total of 49 traffic citations. The story below has been updated to reflect these corrections.
LA PLATA, Md. (Oct. 24, 2017)—Police in Charles. Co. report that they today arrested an off-duty Prince George's County volunteer fire chief after he twice tried to allude officers; once while driving an official fire department vehicle.
Early this morning, at 4:50 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 2500 block of Lisa Drive in Waldorf for the report of a man threatening to slash the tires on his girlfriend's car. Officers arrived and observed the suspect in a silver Ford F-150 truck. They initiated a traffic stop, but the driver fled. Officers pursued the driver a short distance, but stopped when he entered Prince George's County.
While officers continued investigating, they received a call at 6:11 a.m. that the man had returned to Lisa Drive. Officers responded and attempted to stop the suspect, but he fled again. Officers pursued the driver who eventually stopped about a mile away. This time the suspect was driving a Ford explorer clearly marked with PGFD logos fromthe Silver Hill Fire Department.
Matthew Reginald Fowler, 49, of Waldorf, was taken into custody and transported to the Charles County Detention Center. He was charged with 49 traffic violations including negligent driving and reckless driving.
It was learned Fowler is a Volunteer Chief of the Silver Hill Fire Department and was operating one of the fire department vehicles when the second pursuit occurred.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.