MEDIA RELEASE:
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has charged a Smithsburg man as the result of a vehicle pursuit.
On October 25, 2017 at approximately 12:30 AM, deputies observed a green Subaru Forrester traveling on West Franklin Street. Deputies recognized the Subaru to match one that had been reported stolen earlier in their shift. After running a check of the vehicles registration it was confirmed that the Subaru had been reported stolen.
The deputies activated their emergency lights and sirens to conduct traffic stop on the Subaru on West Franklin Street in the area of Nottingham Road. The Subaru slowed and pulled to the right shoulder of West Franklin Street; however it never came to a complete stop. The Subaru then accelerated and continued westbound, passing Western Maryland Parkway. The Subaru continued over Interstate 81 and took the entrance ramp to Interstate 81 southbound. Just prior to making the interstate, the Subaru slid over the curb and out into the southbound lanes of Interstate 81. The Subaru corrected itself and started southbound on Interstate 81.
The Subaru passed the cross over just north of Halfway Boulevard on Interstate 81 southbound, nearly causing an accident. The Subaru took the Halfway Boulevard Westbound exit from the interstate. The Subaru continued westbound on Halfway Boulevard toward Hopewell Road.
A deputy was able to set up their Stinger spike strips in the area of Hopewell Road and West Washington Street. The Subaru turned onto Hopewell Road from Westbound Halfway Boulevard. The deputy was able to successfully deploy the spike strips on Hopewell Road in the path of the Subaru, which struck them.
The Subaru continued north on Hopewell Road approaching West Washington Street. The Subaru made a left onto West Washington Street. Due to the left front tire going flat on the Subaru and the vehicle’s speed, the vehicle left the roadway at Richwood Drive and continued into the yard of several residences on West Washington Street. The Subaru re-entered the roadway striking a parked vehicle. The Subaru continued westbound on West Washington Street.
In the 17100 block of West Washington Street, the Subaru veered off the right side of the roadway through a corn field, where the vehicle became disabled into a tree.
As the deputies approached the Subaru on foot, they observed the driver exiting the vehicle and fleeing westward into the woods. Deputies pursued on, but lost sight of the suspect as he entered the thick brush.
A perimeter of the wooded area was established, and K-9 Officers from the Hagerstown Police Department arrived on scene to assist in locating the suspect. One of the K-9 Units located the suspect hiding in the woods; the suspect was taken into custody.
The suspect was identified as Adam Clark Monk, 42, formally of Smithsburg. Monk was transported to Meritus Medical Center for treatment of the bites he sustained from the K-9 Unit. He was treated, released and then transported to Central Booking for processing.
Monk has been charged with Motor Vehicle Theft, Theft, CDS Paraphernalia Possession and several Motor Vehicle Violations.