A 42-year-old Baltimore man wanted on assault and arson charges in Maryland was located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, after police there encountered him while investigating an unrelated incident. Stephen Matthew Harrell now faces a felony charge in Franklin County tied to his fugitive status, while Baltimore County authorities say they intend to bring him back to Maryland.
According to Tri-State Alert, Chambersburg Police encountered Harrell on October 23 while investigating an incident at 399 Beddington Boulevard. During that contact, Harrell reportedly told an officer there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Maryland, prompting further checks into his background.
Warrant Check Confirms Active Extradition Order
A National Crime Information Center check reportedly confirmed an active, full-extradition warrant issued by Baltimore County authorities, connected to the assault and arson charges against Harrell in Maryland. Chambersburg Police then contacted Baltimore County Police, who confirmed the warrant remained active and advised that Maryland authorities intended to extradite Harrell, the outlet's report states.
Based on that confirmation, Chambersburg Police filed a criminal complaint charging Harrell under Pennsylvania Title 42, Section 9134. Per the Pennsylvania General Assembly, that statute requires a judge or issuing authority to issue a warrant when a person in Pennsylvania is charged on the oath of a credible person with committing a crime in another state and is believed to have fled there — the legal mechanism that allows an out-of-state fugitive to be held while formal extradition proceedings move forward.
Felony Charge Is Separate From Maryland Allegations
The Pennsylvania charge against Harrell is classified as a felony, but it is tied specifically to his fugitive status rather than the underlying Maryland case. The report notes that the Franklin County charge of arrest prior to requisition is related to Harrell's status as a wanted fugitive and is separate from the underlying criminal allegations in Baltimore County.
Court documents identify Harrell as a fugitive from Maryland but do not specify when the alleged assault and arson offenses occurred, nor do they detail the circumstances behind those allegations, the same account indicates. It also remains unclear whether Harrell has been formally transferred into Maryland custody, as that detail was not addressed in the available documents.
As with any pending criminal matter, Harrell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
