Stevensville Man Threatens to Kill Girlfriend, 2 State Troopers: Police

STEVENSVILLE, MD – Two Maryland State Police troopers are being praised by officials for their work to subdue a Stevensville man who threatened to kill his girlfriend, then allegedly drove his pickup truck at the officers last week and threatened to kill them.

Lt. Tim McDonald, commander of the Centreville Barrack, on Monday commended Trooper Houseman and Trooper Bruzzese for their actions Friday night when they were dispatched shortly after 10 p.m. to the 200 block of State Street in Stevensville, for a report of a man who was threatening to kill his girlfriend. When the troopers arrived, the suspect, identified as Cody D. Holtman, 28, became very aggressive and began screaming at the troopers, authorities said.

Holtman got into a pickup truck and ignored the troopers’ orders to get out. Instead, he accelerated, driving toward the troopers, who both had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. Holtman got out of the truck and continued to refuse the directions of the troopers, state police said.

Bruzzese attempted to arrest Holtman, but the suspect reportedly hit and kicked both troopers. A struggle ensued and the troopers used muscling techniques and closed empty-hand strikes as they defended themselves. They handcuffed the suspect, who then threatened to kill the arresting trooper and his family, officials said.

Both troopers suffered scratches, abrasions and cuts, and Bruzzese had bite marks on his arm. The suspect was treated for a contusion above his eye by EMS personnel, but refused any further medical assistance.

“I commend Trooper Bruzzese and Trooper Houseman for their courageous actions while dealing with someone who was threatening murder and, through a variety of ways, attempted to seriously injure them,” Lt. McDonald said. “Despite the threats and personal assaults, these troopers used their training to attempt to diffuse a situation before having to defend themselves while arresting an aggressive and menacing suspect.”

After his arrest, Holtman was charged with two counts each of first-degree assault, second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, threatening injury to a state official, reckless endangerment, malicious destruction of property, failure to obey a lawful order, and one count each of second-degree assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace. He was jailed on $325,000 bail.