Prince George's County

ATM theft suspects drag Prince George's officer with stolen church van, prompt chase and shooting: police

Police said the suspects may be linked to other burglaries and believe the van was stolen from a nearby church

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A burglary suspect driving a stolen van struck a Prince George’s County police officer and dragged him along a busy highway early Sunday in Clinton, Maryland, authorities say. The driver and a second man led police on a pursuit and prompted a police shooting, police say.

Dennis Burkett, 51, of Brandywine, and Robert Burkett Jr., 50, of Temple Hills, were arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder, assault, and auto theft, among other charges.

It all began when two officers were investigating a possible break-in at Carroll Motor Fuels on Crain Highway, when they saw a van matching the description of a vehicle involved in a burglary at a fast-food restaurant at 1 a.m. in Upper Marlboro, the Prince George’s County police said at a press conference.

According to police, the officers saw the two suspects run out of the gas station and jump into the van. One of the officers tried to stop them by opening the driver’s door and grabbing the driver, police said.

The suspects drove off with the officer halfway in the van, crossing all four lanes of Crain Highway until the officer was thrown from the van. This happened at about 1:50 a.m., police said.

The second officer fired their weapon and chased the suspects for about 15 minutes. The suspects were eventually stopped and taken into custody at Branch Avenue and Old Silver Hill Road.

Dennis Burkett was in the driver’s seat and was shot, police said. He was taken to a hospital and released.

The officer who was dragged received minor injuries and also was treated and released.

The van belonged to Clinton Baptist Church. The senior pastor says the stolen van was brand new and was intended for picking up seniors and members with disabilities. News4's Juliana Valencia reports.
A Prince George’s County Police officer is in the hospital after he was hit by a van and a suspect is injured after an officer-involved shooting and chase in Clinton, Maryland, early Sunday morning, police say.

The officer who was struck was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators found a pry bar and other burglary tools left behind by the suspects at the gas station. The gas station’s ATM had been tampered with and the office was searched through.

Police said the suspects may be linked to other burglaries. They believe the van was stolen from a nearby church earlier in the evening.

"Detectives are looking into whether they are linked to other burglaries at this time. Their methodologies matched more than a dozen burglaries," Prince George's police Chief Malik Aziz said.

The suspects were both held without bond.

The officer who fired his gun was placed on routine leave.

Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police.

This is a developing story. Stay with News4 for more updates.

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