Flavio Cesar Lanuza, the suspect who stole an MDOTSHA tow truck and led police on a chase through Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, has been sentenced to ten years in prison.
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Sharon Burrell sentenced defendant, Flavio Cesar Lanuza, 27, of Laurel, to ten years in prison. Judge Burrell also sentenced the defendant to an additional three years and 60 days which will run concurrent to the ten years.
Lanuza pleaded guilty on September 12, 2024, to charges of Second-Degree Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Fleeing and Eluding Marked Police Vehicle by Failing to Stop Vehicle Resulting in Bodily Injury, and eleven counts of Failure to Return and Remain at the Scene of an Accident. The charges stem from an incident on February 16, 2024, when Lanuza led police on a chase that lasted more than half an hour. In Montgomery County, he struck two Maryland State Police vehicles, injuring one State Trooper. He also struck eleven civilian vehicles. The chase began in Prince George’s County after Lanuza stole a Maryland State Highway vehicle.
Assistant State’s Attorney Joshua Wesnidge handled prosecution of this matter.”
According to NBC4, a truck driver was responding to a call for assistance in Beltsville, MD when the vehicle was carjacked by Lanuza.