Man accused of stealing Maryland state truck pleads guilty

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. ( DC News Now ) — A Laurel man accused of stealing a government truck and leading law enforcement on a chase pleaded guilty in court on Thursday, prosecutors said.

The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office (SAO) said in a news release that 27-year-old Flavio Lanuza pleaded guilty to second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer; fleeing and eluding marked police vehicle by failing to stop a vehicle resulting in bodily injury; and 11 counts of failure to return and remain at the scene of an accident.

In February , Maryland State Police (MSP) arrested Lanuza after he stole a Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration tow truck.

He then led police on a chase through Prince George’s and Montgomery counties that lasted more than half an hour. Officials reported that he struck many vehicles, including two MSP vehicles and 11 civilian vehicles.

MSP said in February that a civilian, an MSP trooper and a Montgomery County Department of Police officer had to go to the hospital for injuries from this chase.

The Montgomery County SAO said that Lanuza is also facing charges in Prince George’s County.

Lanuza’s sentencing in Montgomery County is scheduled for Dec. 12. He faces up to 14 years and 10 months in prison.

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