Stop the Maryland Unsafe Driver

Posts Tagged ‘malicious destruction of property’

(OVERLEA, MD) – What was initially thought to be a single vehicle crash on the Baltimore beltway turned into multiple counts of attempted second degree murder filed against a Baltimore County man who was allegedly trying to strangle the woman he was with in the backseat of the car they were traveling in early yesterday.

The accused is identified as Augustus Jung-Kai Gray, 25, of Parkville, Md. He is charged with three counts of attempted second degree murder, five counts of first degree assault, five counts of second degree assault, two counts of malicious destruction of property, motor vehicle theft, theft, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, DUI, and other traffic charges. As of late yesterday, Gray was being held in the Baltimore County Detention Center on $500,000 bail.

Shortly after 2:00 a.m. yesterday, Maryland state troopers from the Golden Ring Barrack responded to what had been reported as a single-vehicle collision on the outer loop of I-695 prior to I-95. Troopers found two men and two women, outside a 2002 Ford Explorer. One of the men, later identified as Gray, was being restrained by the owner of the vehicle, a man identified as Francis Thomas.

Thomas told troopers he and girlfriend were in the front seat of his truck and they were driving Gray and his girlfriend home after leaving a party in Baltimore County. Thomas said Gray began strangling his 23-year-old girlfriend in the back seat. Thomas said he told Gray to stop and he complied, but soon began choking her again and opened the passenger door while attempting to push her out of the moving vehicle. Thomas said he pulled to the shoulder of the interstate and all four of them exited the truck.

According to Thomas, Gray then said he was going to kill them all and jumped into the driver’s seat of the truck. Thomas was able to get into the rear seat and attempted to stop Gray. The suspect then apparently drove the truck across the beltway and struck the median barrier. He then backed the vehicle across the interstate towards the two women standing on the shoulder. They were able to get out of the way before the truck crashed into the barrier on the right shoulder. Thomas then drove back across the highway and struck the median barrier before the truck became disabled. Thomas said he was able to pull Gray from the truck and hold him until troopers arrived.

Troopers said Gray appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and also had other injuries to his face and head not consistent with the crash he had just been in. Further investigation revealed he had been involved in several altercations earlier in the evening.

Troopers had Gray transported to the hospital for an examination. He was treated and released about 5:00 p.m. yesterday. The other three individuals had minor injuries, but refused any treatment.

The investigation is continuing.

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(ABERDEEN, MD – Feb 8, 2010) – 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.

Questions regarding why Pegram was originally wanted should be referred to the US Marshal’s Service. The investigation is continuing.

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