Carjacking Suspect Identified in Fort Meade Manhunt: Report

UPDATED at 5:10 p.m.

The carjacking suspect who fled police and crashed into a gate at Fort Meade -- triggering a virtual lockdown of the Army base and NSA campus -- has been identified.

The suspect was found after about 15 hours hiding in the woods in the area, according to Anne Arundel County Police.

Col. Brian Foley told The Baltimore Sun that suspect Dante Small hid from searchers in a storm drain. When he stuck his head out Thursday for a look around, he was caught, Foley said.

Six Fort Meade area schools were closed Thursday because of the manhunt, and only essential personnel reported to work while police searched for the carjacking suspect.

The police investigation prompted the Anne Arundel County Public Schools system to close these schools for students and staff: Meade High, Meade Middle, MacArthur Middle, Manor View Elementary, Pershing Hill Elementary, and the West Meade Early Education Center. Afternoon and evening activities resumed after Small’s arrest about 11 a.m.

The National Security Agency based at the Army base issued a “code orange” so only essential personnel went to work while police searched for the suspect.

Anne Arundel County Police said Thursday morning, “We don’t believe there is immediate danger at this time, just heavy police presence hoping to locate suspect with the help of some daylight.”

Police say Small crashed a stolen car near an unmanned gate at Fort Meade following a carjacking and police chase in Baltimore. The suspect then bailed out of the car and fled the scene.

According to Fort Meade’s website, the Rochenbach gate was closed, while the Mapes and Highway 32 gate, Llewellyn gate and Reece Road gates will operate normally.

All Directorate of Family, Morale and Welfare operations, including child development centers, were closed.

Fort Meade Police asked residents to stay indoors while police searched for the suspect and to report anything suspicious to 301-677-6623.

Officers from Anne Arundel County Police officers were in the Hanover area about 8:45 p.m. when they saw a vehicle that was reported stolen in a robbery or carjacking in Baltimore City.

When officers tried to stop the vehicle, the driver sped away and led officers on a 4.5-mile pursuit. Near Rockenbach Road the driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a fence leading into the base. The driver then jumped from the vehicle and fled on foot.

Officers from the Anne Arundel County Police Department assisted Fort Meade Police with canine and air support as they looked for the driver.