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Members of the Charles County Sheriff's Office attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the area of Crain Highway and Talbot Street in La Plata after a computer check determined that the plates belonged to a different vehicle, leading to an unfortunate series of events for three suspects.
According to officials, the driver refused to stop and instead sped away in a vehicle that was later determined to have been stolen from a nearby county.
During the pursuit, officers deployed stop sticks three times - in the area of Billingsley Road, the Hughesville bypass, and the third time with the assistance of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office in Charlotte Hall - which deflated several of the vehicle's tires.
Undeterred, officials say that the vehicle continued traveling until it struck a median and was ultimately disabled. Three people inside the car were quickly apprehended and officers recovered a loaded weapon and "large quantity" of methamphetamine in their vehicle.
Those charged:
- Shawn Ray Elswick, 24, of Riverdale;
- Kirk Rodriquez Casper, 24, of Washington, DC;
- Monica Sanchez-Zavala, 18, of no fixed address.
Officials say that Elswick, the driver, was charged with theft, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, illegal possession of ammunition, and numerous traffic citations.
Casper and Sanchez-Zavala were charged with theft, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, and possession of drugs.
All three are being held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center.
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