HYATTSVILLE, Md. (WMAR) — A handcuffed domestic violence suspect was taken back into custody after fleeing a Prince George's County jail in a stolen police cruiser.
Abdul Hakim, 43, of Greenbelt was arrested Friday morning after allegedly assaulting a woman in the 2300 block of University Boulevard.
Prince George's County Police took him to the Department of Corrections in Hyattsville for processing.
Due to a medical issue with Hakim, police ended up having to take him to another correctional facility in Upper Marlboro.
Before leaving Hyattsville, the officer took Hakim back to the police cruiser which was parked in a sally-port outside the jail. Hakim was handcuffed and placed in the front passenger seat.
Prince George's County Police say the officer started the cruiser so Hakim could keep warm. The officer then reportedly had to go back into the building for a brief time, during which time he asked another officer outside to keep an eye on Hakim.
While the first officer was inside, Hakim was seen by the second officer moving in the front seat. Hakim told that officer the handcuffs were too tight. Moments after the second officer adjusted his handcuffs, Hakim got into the front seat of the police cruiser and put it in gear.
The second officer tried getting into the cruiser to stop Hakim, but the door was locked. Hakim then struck a brick wall in the sally-port and sped away in the cruiser.
Hakim made it to a park near 24th Avenue and Lyndon Street, all while crashing into several cars along the way. He then ran away and was later arrested on 19th Avenue. Police say Hakim still had the handcuffs on but somehow re-positioned his hands and arms to the front of his body.
No one was hurt during the chase.
“I am proud of the lengths to which my officers went to demonstrate their compassion to a sick individual they had arrested for a violent act on a cold day. It is always discouraging when an individual exploits kindness to commit more violence and endanger more people. Due to his actions, my agency is now reviewing the practice of leaving a cruiser running for any reason at all,” said Chief Hank Stawinski.
Aside from the initial domestic assault charge, Hakim now faces additional charges including assault, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle theft, second degree escape and theft as well as traffic offenses.
Online court records show Hakim being committed and due in court on February 20.
