Man accused of stealing Maryland state truck, leading police on chase denied bond
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) – The man accused of stealing a Maryland Highway Administration tow truck and leading police on a chase earlier this month was in court Thursday.
27-year-old Flavio Cesar Lanuza was denied bond in a Montgomery County court Thursday afternoon and is now facing several criminal charges.
Lanuza is believed to have hit 13 cars. A civilian and two law enforcement members — a Maryland State Trooper and a Montgomery County police officer — were taken to a hospital for their injuries.
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Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy says he believes that was the “appropriate conclusion” based on what happened on the night of Friday, February 16th.
“The vehicle that he used,” McCarthy said, “which I think has been described as the effectively the size and weight of a tank. As you saw him hit various cars, it was like as if a tank was hitting some of these smaller vehicles.”
Meanwhile, Lanuza’s defense team argues what happened that night was because of his mental health.
“My understanding,” Lanuza’s defense attorney Maria Mena said, “as I’ve stated, he’s from Nicaragua, he’s only been here three years. He works day and night so obviously, he probably never sought out medical treatment and did not realize the gravity of what was going on.”
Lanuza faces charges including vehicle theft and first-degree assault. He is scheduled back in court on Friday, March 22.
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