Maryland State Police Apprehend Man Wanted on Multi-State Warrants After Fleeing Traffic Stop in Stolen Vehicle

Maryland State Police have apprehended Justin Burchett, a 42-year-old Elkton resident, who was wanted on numerous felony warrants in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. The arrest occurred yesterday afternoon after Burchett allegedly fled a traffic stop while operating a stolen vehicle. He is currently being held at the Harford County Inter-agency Processing Center pending a court commissioner appearance.

The incident began shortly before 2:00 p.m. on September 23rd when a Maryland State Trooper observed a silver 2016 Ford Focus, reported stolen from Elkton, traveling on Route 213 in Cecil County. Investigators believe the driver, later identified as Burchett, was operating the vehicle recklessly, exhibiting signs consistent with impaired driving. This included alleged high speeds, running red lights, and passing vehicles on the shoulder, including a school bus, prior to a police pursuit being initiated.

The trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Route 213 in Elkton, but the driver failed to comply, leading to a pursuit. Pennsylvania State Police were alerted and deployed troopers to intercept the vehicle at the state line. The Maryland State Trooper was authorized to continue the pursuit into Pennsylvania on Blue Ball Road. During the pursuit in Oxford, Pennsylvania, the trooper’s patrol car was involved in a collision with an uninvolved Honda minivan. The driver of the minivan sustained no injuries, and the involved trooper was transported by Maryland State Police Aviation Command to a local hospital, where he was treated and subsequently released.

Following the collision, authorities continued to search for the driver of the stolen Ford Focus. At approximately 4:20 p.m., investigators from the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division located the vehicle in Havre de Grace. As troopers approached, the driver accelerated forward, striking a Maryland State Police patrol vehicle before fleeing the scene. Later, around 5:45 p.m., the Ford Focus was located again at a gas station in Darlington. Troopers and investigators attempted to make contact with the driver, but he again failed to stop and struck the front of another Maryland State Police vehicle as he attempted to exit the parking lot. The trooper inside that vehicle was uninjured.

The Ford Focus eventually became disabled, resulting in the deployment of its airbags. First responders assisted both Burchett and a female passenger in exiting the vehicle. Harford County EMS personnel provided medical aid at the scene. Burchett was transported to an area hospital and remained under police guard until his release, after which he was taken to the Harford County Inter-agency Processing Center. The passenger was released from police custody without facing charges. During the investigation at the scene, troopers observed a glass smoking device in the Ford Focus, and a subsequent search uncovered a small bag containing a substance believed to be a controlled dangerous substance. The investigation into this incident remains ongoing, and Maryland State Police are seeking additional traffic and criminal charges against Burchett.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Department of State Police.

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