A late-night traffic stop in Southwest Baltimore turned into a short chase on April 13, ending with two arrests after police tracked a stolen vehicle from the air and on the ground, authorities said.
According to Baltimore police, an officer tried to pull over a vehicle around 10:35 p.m. in the 900 block of West Patapsco Avenue. The driver refused to stop and took off. A short time later, officers, working with the city’s aviation unit, found the car in the 800 block of Hammonds Ferry Road. When they closed in, the occupants bailed out and ran into a wooded area, but were taken into custody after a brief search.
How police tracked the car
Police said the patrol officer’s initial traffic stop attempt on West Patapsco Avenue set off the search, which quickly pulled in the aviation unit known as Foxtrot. With officers on the ground and the helicopter overhead, the car was located on Hammonds Ferry Road, where the people inside ditched it and fled on foot. Officers arrested a 21-year-old man who was driving and a 15-year-old boy who had been a passenger. The car had been reported stolen out of another jurisdiction, according to FOX45.
Foxtrot and short chases
The BPD aviation unit Foxtrot is frequently called in when drivers refuse to stop for patrol officers. From the air, crews can track fleeing vehicles and help ground units box in suspects who jump out and run. Earlier this month, the chopper helped police arrest four juveniles after a stolen-vehicle incident. Recent cases like these suggest juveniles now make up a substantial share of auto-theft responses, which complicates both enforcement tactics and prevention efforts.
Juvenile processing and what is next
Baltimore police did not immediately release names or a list of charges, and the investigation remains active, the department said. Because the passenger is 15, the case could involve Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services for decisions on intake or detention, a process that works differently from adult criminal court. More on how Maryland handles youth arrests and detention is available from the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.
Police response and community note
The department also did not release booking details or a timeline for when charges might be filed. Officers credited fast coordination between Foxtrot and ground units with ending the chase without any reported injuries. The arrests highlight ongoing efforts to respond quickly to vehicle thefts in the city. Residents who have information related to the case are encouraged to contact Baltimore police through the department’s standard reporting channels.
