Baltimore County man leads police on wild car chase with children in car

A Baltimore County man has been arrested following a dangerous car chase that began in Frederick County and ended in Montgomery County on Friday, according to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office (FCSO).

Cory Thomas Burkhardt, 37, of Idylewood, led deputies on a multi-jurisdictional pursuit, endangering countless civilians, including his own children. 

The chase

The incident began at 4:00 p.m. after a Frederick County Sheriff's Office deputy witnessed a car operating recklessly on southbound U.S. Route 15 near Rosemont Avenue.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Burkhardt, crossed the median and entered the opposite side of the highway, immediately endangering travelers going the opposite way on northbound Route 15.

As Burkhardt continued to get away, he tried to hit sheriff's office vehicles and deputies several times.

Spike strips were deployed twice, yet Burkhardt was able to avoid them as he entered southbound I-270 while traveling into oncoming traffic in the northbound lanes.

The pursuit finally ended when an officer near the Clarksburg exit of I-270 forced Burkhardt's vehicle into a guardrail using his car.

Burkhardt refused to exit his vehicle, but deputies were able to apprehend him using non-lethal weapons. 

Struggle continues

Three young children were with the man during the incident.

Two of them, ages 8 and 12, exited the vehicle first. Burkhardt exited the vehicle last, carrying a 2-year-old child and portraying to be armed. 

He tried to flee on foot with the child, but officers were able to catch him using a Taser, safely securing the 2-year-old.

The struggle continued as he attempted to disarm a deputy while being arrested, which prompted additional non-lethal force, police said.

He was then taken into custody and transported to Frederick Health Hospital for an emergency evaluation.

During this transition, Burkhardt forced his way out of the hospital and fled on foot; however, police apprehended him again, delivering him back to the hospital.

The charges

No serious injuries were brought upon any deputies, children, or members of the public, according to police. 

The 37-year-old faces the following charges:

• Two counts of First-Degree Assault
• Four counts of Second-Degree Assault
• Disarming a Law Enforcement Officer
• Attempt by Driver to Elude a Uniformed Police Officer by Failing to Stop
• Attempt by Driver to Elude Police in an Official Police Vehicle by Failing to Stop
• Reckless Driving
• Negligent Driving a Vehicle in a Careless and Imprudent Manner Endangering Property, Life, and Person
• Failure to Drive on the Right-Hand Roadway of a Divided Highway
• Driving on the Median Strip of a Divided Highway

Police did not give a reason as to why Burkhardt led the chase.