Man Steals Police Cruiser, Captured After Short Pursuit

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD -- Prince George's County Police arrested a Greenbelt man Saturday after he stole a police cruiser and led officers on a short chase, according to a police release. Abdul Hakim, 43, 0f the 6100 block of Breezewood Court, faces multiple charges, including unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle theft and second degree escape.

On Jan. 18, around 7:15 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of University Boulevard in Hyattsville for the report of a domestic assault. Upon arrival, officers observed bruises on the victim's face. They arrested Hakim and charged him with domestic assault.

At first, the arresting officer transported Hakim to the Department of Corrections in Hyattsville for processing, but then found he would need to be taken to the DOC facility in Upper Marlboro because of an underlying medical issue.

The officer who arrested Hakim returned him to his cruiser, which was parked outside the Hyattsville DOC. Hakim, who was still handcuffed behind his back, was secured in the front passenger seat with a seatbelt. The officer started his car but needed to go back into the DOC. He asked another officer who was in her cruiser to monitor Hakim while he went inside. The arresting officer had left the engine running, so that Hakim would stay warm.

Noticing that Hakim was moving around, the second officer checked on him. After Hakim complained that the handcuffs were too tight, the officer loosened them and resecured him with the seatbelt. A short time later, Hakim had worked his way into the driver's seat and slipped the car into gear. The second officer tried to open the door, but it was locked. After hitting a brick wall, Hakim sped away in the cruiser.

With the help of the Hyattsville City Police Department, officers began to pursue Hakim, who struck several cars before crashing into a cruiser that was parked near 24th Avenue and Lyndon Street. He fled the scene on foot, but officers apprehended him on 19th Avenue. Although Hakim was still in handcuffs, he had managed to slip his arms around to the front of his body. No injuries were reported from the pursuit or apprehension.

In total, police charged Hakim with domestic assault, assault, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle theft, second degree escape and theft. He also faces charges for traffic offenses.

The PGCPD is continuing to investigate this case.