Driver Charged After Hotel Shuttle Chase: Police

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Police said a man was arrested after stealing a hotel shuttle van from Hanover, then leading a chase from Crownsville past the Naval Academy Bridge in Annapolis. Stop sticks were deployed and a standoff ensued before the driver was taken into custody, according to authorities.

David Antonio Diaz, 25, of Rockville, has been charged with assault, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft and traffic violations, Maryland State Police reported.

Officials said Diaz was taken into custody after a lengthy attempt at making a traffic stop.

Before 9 p.m. on Monday, a trooper from the Annapolis barrack noticed a hotel shuttle van weaving across lanes on Route 97 in Crownsville, police said. The officer tried to stop the vehicle, but the van continued traveling around 30 mph, weaving from the left shoulder to the right shoulder of the road, according to officials.

The trooper got ahead of the van on US 50 and deployed stop sticks at the Severn River Bridge, disabling the van's two left tires, authorities said; but the van continued at 5 mph, turning onto Route 450 and going by the World War II Memorial and over the Naval Academy Bridge before hitting Annapolis Street and ending up disabled at Monterey Avenue. The U.S. Naval Academy police and Annapolis police assisted.

After a 90-minute standoff, police said Diaz got out and surrendered.

Authorities learned Diaz had been reported missing in Montgomery County, and the van had been reported stolen from the Residence Inn/Marriott Hotel in Hanover.

Diaz was charged with the following, police said:

• Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
• Theft of cell phones and money
• First-degree assault
• Second-degree assault
• Attempting to elude police
• Driving on a suspended license
• Reckless driving
• Negligent driving
• Willfully driving at a slow speed, impeding traffic
• Unsafe lane changes

Once Diaz was charged, police said he was eventually released on his own recognizance.

Image via Shutterstock.