Wanted individual attempts to flee from police, hits police vehicle

OCEAN CITY, Md. – Ocean City Police arrested a wanted individual Tuesday morning after they say he attempted to flee after his vehicle was pulled over.

Just before 9 AM, Ocean City Communications received an alert from a license plate reader on eastbound Route 90 for a vehicle registered to a wanted individual on its way into Ocean City.

Shortly after receiving the alert, Ocean City Police initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle at 94th Street on Coastal Highway. The officer made contact with the driver, 39-year-old Anthony Roper, and was waiting for additional police backup to arrive when Roper fled the stop in his vehicle and headed southbound on Coastal Highway.

The vehicle then turned onto 65th Street, where it collided with a marked OCPD patrol car that was being driven by a Public Safety Aide. The vehicle continued west on 65th Street before eventually stopping in the Ocean City Public Works Complex. Roper allegedly attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly caught by police.

Roper was previously wanted for several drugs and weapons charges from within Wicomico County, Maryland. He was charged with failure to immediately stop at the scene of an accident involving an injury, reckless driving, attempt to elude uniformed police, and multiple other traffic violations in this incident.

He was taken to the Worcester County Jail where he is being held without bond.

The Public Safety Aide suffered a minor neck injury and was taken to Atlantic General Hospital as a precaution.