SALISBURY, MARYLAND (10/20/2015) A Delaware man suspected of being involved in the distribution of heroin was arrested after a high-speed chase across the state line, Maryland State Police said today.
Paul D. Jenkins, 35, of Harrington, was arrested Monday after the pursuit that began about 4 p.m. at a shopping center parking lot in the 2700 block of N. Salisbury Blvd. (U.S. 13) when undercover officers in unmarked cars stopped his vehicle and attempted to take him into custody.
“Police officers wearing vests marked ‘police’ approached the suspect on foot, identifying themselves as officers and repeatedly ordering him to show his hands,” Maryland authorities said in a news release.
Jenkins instead backed his Ford Taurus into a police cruiser with a trooper inside, police said, and narrowly missed striking another officer in front of him who jumped out of the way.
Police said Jenkins then drove north on U.S. 13, striking a Ford pickup, making unsafe lane changes, running cars off the road and driving onto the shoulder at speeds over 100 mph.
He crossed into Delaware, where he made a U-turn north of East Snake Road and then was boxed in by numerous police cars, Maryland authorities said.
As they did so, police said, Jenkins tossed a bag out the window which they said was recovered and found to contain 520 bags of heroin packaged for street sale.
Jenkins continued to resist attempts to arrest him, police said, but was taken into custody after a brief struggle.
No injuries were reported, although Jenkins was taken by emergency medical personnel to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, examined and then released to police.
Jenkins was charged with five counts of first-degree assault, five counts of second-degree assault, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession of heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also was charged with 10 traffic offenses, including failing to stop at a property damage accident, failing to stop at a red light, failing to stop at a stop sign, unsafe passing on the shoulder and speeding.
Police involved in the investigation and arrest include the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force, the Salisbury Police Department, Delmar Police, Maryland State Police, including the Salisbury Barrack and the Firearms Unit, and the Delaware State Police. The Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force is comprised of the Maryland State Police, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department, the Salisbury City Police Department, the Fruitland Police Department, and the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office.