Annapolis Man Jailed for Trying to Run Down Police Officer

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A man who reportedly tried to run down an Annapolis Police officer with his car faces numerous traffic and assault charges, authorities say.

The incident began Wednesday afternoon when Devonte Simms, 22, of Annapolis, and the mother of his child argued. The woman called police after Simms allegedly tried to strike her with his vehicle and with a baseball bat. According to the police report, Simms also picked up the infant, who was strapped in a car seat, and threw the child and car seat to the ground.

Simms left the scene, but officers saw his vehicle Simms on Forest Drive. They attempted to stop the vehicle, but when it failed to stop and began driving erratically officers did not pursue it.

Officers were still speaking to the victim on Bens Drive when they saw Simms’ vehicle speed through the community and through the chain link fence separating Bens Drive and Victor Parkway. On Cypress Road Simms stopped the vehicle briefly and an officer approached it on foot. Simms reportedly accelerated toward the officer, almost striking him, then fled down Forest Drive and abandoned the vehicle in the Newtowne 20 community.

Officers, with the help of Anne Arundel Sherriff’s Office K-9 and Anne Arundel County Police Department Air Unit, searched for Simms, but did not locate him. As officers were calling off the search, Simms turned himself in at police headquarters.

Simms was charged with numerous traffic violations and nine criminal counts relating to the assaults and destruction of property. He is being held at the Jennifer Road Detention Center on $100,000 bond.

In January 2014, Simms was shot in the foot while walking in the Newtowne area. Police charged Craig Ireland with first-degree assault in the case. But detectives learned that Simms and Ireland had argued the night Simms was shot; he reportedly shot at Ireland and missed. Ireland fled from the area and later returned and shot Simms in the ankle. Simms was charged with attempted murder and assault.

»Patch file photo of Devonte Simms