September 12th, 2022 by WCBC Radio

On 09/11/2022, at approximately 11:08 hours, a Deputy on patrol in the area of LaVale, Maryland, observed a vehicle bearing Maryland registration plates, which did not display any required validation tabs.  While conducting a traffic stop on the vehicle, in the parking lot of the Sheetz store, the operator fled from the traffic stop, and began operating recklessly through the parking lot, before traveling on to Winchester Road, and then entering on to Interstate 68, Eastbound, near the 40 mile marker.  A vehicle pursuit ensued, and the operator of the vehicle lost control while exiting Interstate 68, near the 42 mile marker, at the bottom of the exit ramp, next to the roundabout.  The vehicle then sustained disabling damage, and the operator continued to flee from Deputies on foot.  The operator then entered into a passerby's vehicle without their permission, and attempted to leave the scene.  After refusing to transport the suspect away from the scene, the suspect exited the vehicle and subsequently entered into another vehicle a short distance away.  As the police chase was initially unbeknownst to the operator of the second vehicle, the suspect was then taken to the Cumberland City area, at the request of the suspect.  While on scene of the motor vehicle crash, Deputies learned that the registration tag attached to the suspect vehicle was reported stolen from the Sideling Hill area, in Washington County, Maryland.  Additionally, Deputies learned that the motor vehicle was also reported stolen out of New Jersey.

After dropping the suspect off in the Cumberland City area, the operator of the second vehicle became suspicious of the suspect, and immediately drove to the Cumberland City Police station to report what had just occurred.  This information was then disseminated to Deputies, who re-initiated a search for the suspect, near the area of the Union Rescue Mission.  A short time later, Deputies, along with a Trooper for the Maryland State Police Cumberland Barrack located the suspect standing outside of the Union Rescue Mission.  As they attempted to make contact with the suspect, the suspect fled on foot across the CSX train tracks, and a foot pursuit ensued.  After a brief foot pursuit, Troopers and Deputies apprehended the suspect near Dexter Place and South Centre Street, and placed him under arrest.  The primary Deputy who initiated the traffic stop and subsequent vehicle pursuit, then responded on scene and provided a positive identification for the suspect.  Pursuant to the investigation, Deputies arrested and charged Ronnie D. Hamilton of Howell NJ with the following:

-  MOTOR VEH/UNLAWFUL TAKING

-  THEFT: $1,500 TO UNDER $25,000

-  TRESPASS-POSTED PROPERTY

- OBSTRUCTING & HINDERING POLICE

- RESISTING ARREST

- FLEEING/ELUDING

- FLEEING/ELUDING UNIFORMED POLICE ON FOOT

- UNLAWFULLY ENTERING VEHICLE

- DRIVING ON SUSPENDED LICENSE

- DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE

- DISOBEYING LAWFUL ORDER OF POLICE

**Mulitple additional traffic citations**

Hamilton was transported to the Allegany County Detention Center to await his initial appearance.  No injuries were reported throughout the entirety of these incidents and subsequent investigations.