Off-duty Arundel officer thwarts carjacking
An off-duty Anne Arundel County police officer thwarted a carjacking near Arundel Mills Boulevard early Saturday, according to police.
The suspects, including a teenager, were driving a stolen car and got involved in an accident. They ran fromthe scene and carjacked a woman, accoriding to police. But authorities said the suspects didn't know the off-duty police officer was behind them.
Below is a statement from police with more details:
On September 24, 2011, at approximately 1220 hrs. officers responded to the area of Arundel Mills Blvd. near the entrance ramp to Rt. 100 West bound in Hanover, Md. 21076 for a hit and run accident.
Upon arrival officers learned the adult suspect, Mr. Lassiter, was the driver of the suspect vehicle, a 2007 Chevrolet involved in the hit and run. The below listed juvenile was the passenger in the suspect vehicle. The vehicle Mr. Lassiter was driving struck a 2010 Toyota in the rear being driven by a thirty nine year old male. The male victim suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. At this time both suspects fled a short distance on foot.
Both suspects jumped into a vehicle driven by a female who was not known to the suspects. Mr. Lassiter jumped into the front passenger seat and the juvenile suspect jumped in to the rear seat. The suspects demanded the female victim to drive them to the closest 7-11 store. The victim was highly upset and in fear of being harmed by the suspects. She immediately put her vehicle in park. Unknown to both the suspects and the victim in this incident there was an off duty Anne Arundel County Police Officer in a marked patrol unit behind the female victim’s vehicle. The off duty officer immediately jumped into action and was able to detain both suspects until on duty officers arrived on scene. The female victim suffered no injuries in this incident.
Investigation revealed the 2007 Chevrolet being driven by the suspects was stolen in Montgomery County from a female acquaintance of the suspects earlier. Furthermore, taken from the same female, by suspect Mr. Lassiter, was an ATM card that was used to withdraw an undetermined amount of U. S. currency from her bank. Mr. Lassiter was also in possession of a stolen check which was taken from a female in Prince George’s County who is the roommate of the owner of the 2007 Chevrolet. Also, located in the stolen vehicle was a small amount of marijuana. Mr. Lassier was determined to be under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance at the time of the above accident.
Suspect #1: Lassiter, Gregory Allen, Male, 19 yrs. Old, 901 E. Patapsco Ave. Baltimore, Md. 21225, charged with driving under the influence of CDS, theft, Numerous traffic offenses, attempt carjacking, stolen auto, Possession of marijuana
Suspect #2: 15 year old male from Baltimore City, charged with stolen auto and attempt Carjacking
