by Geoff Fox
A stolen vehicle out of West Virginia was recovered in the Western Maryland Rail Trail parking lot on Thursday night, January 20, leading to a Hancock man being arrested after being combative with police officers.
According to Sgt. Rich Miller of the Hancock Police Department, around 9:15 p.m. Thursday night, officers located the stolen vehicle in the Rail Trail parking lot off Church Street.
Miller said the vehicle was reported stolen out of Berkeley Springs and the West Virginia State Police handled the theft case.
While waiting for the towing service to arrive, the subject returned to the vehicle, telling officers it was his vehicle.
Miller said the subject, later identified as Justin Erick Scott Holland, 32, of Hancock, then became disruptive with officers.
Holland jumped in the vehicle and locked the doors, Miller added. Holland had the keys to the vehicle in his possession.
Police then removed Holland from the vehicle, and after doing so, they placed him in handcuffs. Officers then placed Holland in the back of a Hancock Police vehicle. There, Holland become even more disruptive, Miller said.
While being put in the back of the police vehicle, Holland allegedly spit on the officers and kicked out the window of the patrol vehicle.
Holland was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, second-degree assault of an officer, malicious destruction of property, resisting arrest, and unauthorized removal of a motor vehicle.
Holland was taken to a District Court Commissioner where he was released on a $3,000 unsecured personal bond.
However, Holland is currently being held in Washington County Detention Center on an outstanding warrant from Pennsylvania.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Department assisted Hancock Police.
Miller said no injuries were reported by Hancock Police or to Holland.