January 30th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

Additional charges have been filed against a suspect believed to be involved in an ongoing theft scheme who was arrested earlier this month after he assaulted two Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempting to arrest him in a shopping center parking lot in Hagerstown.

The suspect is identified as Melsun S. Perry, 26, of Landover, Md.  He has been charged with additional counts of first- and second-degree assault and related traffic offenses. These charges are in addition to the previous charges of first-degree assault and theft less than $1,500.  He is currently being held without bond in the Washington County Detention Center.

On Jan. 10, 2018, Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore requested the Maryland State Police conduct an investigation into an assault on a deputy during an attempted arrest that resulted in a deputy-involved shooting.  Criminal investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and Criminal Enforcement Division responded and are conducting a continuing investigation.

The preliminary investigation indicates that on Jan. 10, detectives with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office were contacted by an employee at the Target store, located in a shopping center in the 17000 block of Cole Road in Hagerstown, Md., who reported a known theft scheme suspect was in the store.  The suspect was known to travel to Target stores and supposedly return a previously purchased iPad for a refund or gift card, but instead simply returned the box with materials inside to simulate the weight of an iPad.

Two deputies, one of whom was in uniform and driving a marked patrol vehicle, responded to the store shortly before 5:30 p.m. and waited in the parking lot.  They were notified when the suspect was leaving the store, after he had returned an empty iPad box for a refund.

According to the preliminary investigation, one deputy approached the suspect on foot, who immediately began to run.  The deputy in the marked patrol car drove by and ahead of the suspect and parked.  He exited his patrol car to attempt to arrest the suspect.

Unknowingly, the deputy had parked his patrol car in front of the suspect’s 2015 Dodge Charger.  The suspect got into his vehicle as one deputy approached from the front and the first deputy, identified as Washington County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Greg Alton, reached the driver’s door.

According to the investigation, Lt. Alton reached into the vehicle, attempting to arrest the suspect. His arm became entrapped as the suspect attempted to accelerate from the scene. Lt. Alton fired his pistol while he was being dragged as the vehicle was moving away. His arm became free and he was able to separate himself from the vehicle.

The suspect struck the patrol car and a civilian vehicle as he drove between them and fled from the parking lot. A lookout was issued for the suspect and vehicle.

The suspect vehicle was found abandoned and with the registration plates removed in the 17000 block of Diane Drive in Hagerstown.  Police determined the vehicle was registered to the suspect.

Later in the evening, a Washington County deputy found the suspect at a residence in the 10000 block of Bowers Avenue, in Hagerstown.  He was found uninjured and was arrested without incident.

Maryland State Police crime scene technicians responded to process the scene. The investigation is ongoing.