On April 29, Charles County Sheriff’s Det. D. Gross, who was off duty, observed a stolen vehicle traveling west on Route 225 toward Indian Head. He followed the vehicle to Annapolis Woods Road, where he and Cpl. J. Murphy attempted a traffic stop.
The driver failed to stop and fled to the intersection of Durham Church Road and Route 425, where the passenger, Daniel Wayne Hoppe, 29, of no fixed address, exited the vehicle. Hoppe was quickly apprehended by Cpl. Murphy without incident. The driver continued on Route 425 toward Route 6 and was speeding and driving recklessly. He failed to negotiate a right turn and drove straight into a ditch along a woodline.
He was quickly apprehended by Det. Gross and an off-duty Metro Transit Officer who was in the area and stopped to assist. The driver was identified as James John Toth, III, 34, of Waldorf. Toth and Hoppe were searched and found to be in possession of marijuana. Toth was charged with possession of marijuana, resisting arrest, reckless driving, fleeing and eluding and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Hoppe was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
They were being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before a district court commissioner. Toth was treated at Civista Medical Center for minor injuries resulting from the crash.