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Shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17, officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Smallwood Drive and McDaniel Road in Waldorf, where there was a report of a man who had just stolen a gun from a relative and proceeded to flee the area on foot.
The family members who were robbed and alerted the sheriff’s office advised that the man - whose name has not been released - “may be experiencing a mental health episode and were concerned for his safety.”
Officers from the sheriff’s office canvassed the area looking for their suspect, and found him on a nearby path, at which point they took steps to deescalate the situation, but the man proceeded to “attempt to elude them.”
The man then attempted to retrieve a gun from his waistband at which point the officers were able to safely apprehend him after a brief struggle, according to a spokesperson from the sheriff’s office.
Further investigation found that the man was also in possession of a knife and pepper spray, in addition to the stolen gun, and a check found that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm in Maryland due to a previous felony conviction.
The man was charged with theft and illegal possession of a firearm, officials said. It is unclear whether he was released after being arrested and charged.
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