Police: Trooper injured after man stole patrol car, crashed in pursuit in Hagerstown

HAGERSTOWN, Md. ( DC News Now ) — Maryland State Police (MSP) said a man is facing several charges after he allegedly stole a trooper’s vehicle and crashed it in Hagerstown on Monday.

On Oct. 14, just before 12:30 p.m., state police responded to a person stealing and trespassing at a department store. There, troopers located the suspect, later identified as William Socks, outside the business.

According to MSP, as troopers were issuing Socks a citation, he ran away and took off in a patrol vehicle, initiating a pursuit.

That’s when Socks drove out of the parking lot and began traveling north on Route 65, MSP said.

As the chase continued, Socks collided with an MSP patrol vehicle and then crashed into a fence at the intersection of Chestnut and First Street, where the car became disabled.

MSP said the chase lasted less than five minutes and Socks was apprehended at the scene.

One MSP trooper was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Socks was charged with first-degree assault, theft and malicious destruction of property. He is being held without bail at the Washington County Detention Center.

The investigation is ongoing.

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