'Ramp Scam' Hits Howard County, Maryland State Police Say

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Authorities are asking drivers to resist the urge to help disabled motorists on highway exit ramps after scores of "ramp scams" have been reported around the state, including in Howard County.

Police said that in the scams, suspects pretend their vehicles are disabled, flag down passing drivers, ask for money and in exchange, the suspects may sometimes give the drivers fake jewelry. Crashes and major traffic delays have occurred as a result of these interactions, according to officials.

When the Howard County Police Department posted on its Facebook page the warning issued by Maryland State Police, one woman said she had been scammed on the ramp from Broken Land Parkway to MD 32.

Others reported scammers were present at these intersections, areas and ramps:

• Snowden River Parkway at MD 175
• Interstate 95 at MD 32
• MD 32 to US 1
• I-95 at MD 175
• US 1 at MD 175
• US 29
• Allview area of Columbia

Some commenters wrote that they knew of someone trying to give away jewelry for gas money in the River Hill area and near MD 100 at MD 103.

The exit ramp scams have been reported in Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard and Prince George's counties, and Maryland State Police said they may have happened elsewhere in the state too.

Have you seen scammers near exit ramps in Howard County? Tell us in the comments!

Two Baltimore men were arrested in Baltimore County over the weekend in connection with an alleged ramp scam, Maryland State Police reported.

Aron Miclescu, 29, of the 2700 block of Orleans Street, and Constantin Stan, 35, of the 2900 block of East Monument Street, were charged with walking on the highway, disturbing the peace by obstructing traffic, disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment, police said.

Court records show Miclescu and Stan were arrested on Interstate 95 at Interstate 195 on Sunday, Oct. 16. The Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office may file additional charges in those cases, police said.

Anyone with information about the ramp scams is asked to contact the local Maryland State Police barracks.

Image via Shutterstock.