Taxi Thief Spotted By Sheriff: Officials

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — An alleged taxi cab thief racked up several charges, including carjacking and assault, over the weekend in Harford County. Officials said it started when he got into a taxi at Joppatowne Plaza and asked to go to Baltimore.

Dionte Kyrell James Torrence, 24, of Baltimore, was charged with carjacking, second-degree assault and theft from $100 to under $1,500, court records show.

Authorities allege Torrence got into the cab at Joppatowne Plaza at 1:50 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, and after acting like he had a weapon, the cab driver jumped out of the car and Torrence drove off.

Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler was on his way to an event and was driving on US 40 at MD 755 when he saw a taxi that had been reported stolen from the 1000 block of Joppa Farm Road, according to officials.

Gahler began pursuing the taxi, which collided into two sheriff's office vehicles, including one on Route 40 near Spesutia Road, authorities reported.

"How’s this for a bad day. You steal a cab, think you’re getting away, when the police find you and start pursuing you. But it’s not just any deputy, it’s THE Sheriff. Then you decide to ram a couple police cars, only to find out you’ve hit the Chief Deputy’s car!" the sheriff's office said.

Nobody was injured in the incident, according to authorities.

Torrence was taken to the Harford County Detention Center, where he was being held without bail.

Photo courtesy of Harford County Sheriff's Office.