Attempted Murder Of Officer Among Charges 2 Suspects Face: Prince George's Police

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Two suspects have been arrested and charged in connection to the attempted murder of a police officer after the cop was dragged across four lanes of traffic while hanging halfway out of the suspects' van.

The suspects arrested are 51-year-old Dennis Burkett of Brandywine and 50-year-old Robert Burkett Jr. of Temple Hills.

Police officers stopped to investigate a possible burglary in progress at a closed gas station located in the 7600 block of Crain Highway. They found a burgundy van backed up to the front door of the business. A van had been used in the burglary of a restaurant in that area approximately an hour earlier. The officers activated their emergency lights and exited their cruisers. Seconds later, two suspects ran from the store and into the van, according to police.

One of the officers attempted to remove the driver, Dennis Burkett, from the driver’s seat and told him to stop. Dennis Burkett placed the van in drive and drove off with the officer unable to remove himself from the driver’s door area. The second patrol officer shot his gun one time, hitting Dennis Burkett. Instead of stopping, Dennis Burkett sped out of the parking lot and across the four lanes of Crain Highway and onto South Osborne Road while dragging the officer. The officer fell from the van on South Osborne Road, police said.

“The driver sped off with the officer remaining halfway in the van,” Prince George's Police Chief Malik Aziz said at a news conference Sunday.

The suspects then were chased for about 30 minutes before the van became disabled at Branch Avenue and Bonita Street in Temple Hills. The suspects both were taken into custody. Dennis Burkett was transported from the scene for treatment. He was released from the hospital later in the day. The injured officer also was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries and has since been released.

"We are thankful to report that the officer has been treated and released," Aziz said during the Sunday news conference.

A search of the gas station revealed the suspects had left a pry bar and other burglary tools. The office area was also rummaged through and the ATM had been tampered with. Police said the van being used by the suspects also was believed to be stolen from a nearby church earlier in the evening, Aziz said.

Because the two suspects' methodologies match more than a dozen other burglaries committed in the area, detectives are investigating whether or not they can be connected to the other crimes, Aziz said during the news conference. After the arrest, Robert Burkett admitted to the burglary at the gas station, fleeing from police and stealing the van from a Clinton church late Saturday night, according to police.

Both suspects have been charged with multiple offenses that include second-degree attempted murder, assault, breaking and entering, auto theft and additional charges.

The internal affairs division is investigating the actions of the officer who discharged his duty weapon. As is standard procedure, he is now on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. That officer joined the agency in 2022 and is assigned to the bureau of patrol.

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Officer Dragged By Suspect's Van, 2nd Officer Shoots Driver: Police