Abingdon man charged with the attempted murder of Harford County deputies

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) reported commencing an investigation after two of their deputies were injured during a routine traffic stop which resulted in a car chase and two deputies being injured.

Around 2:27 p.m. on June 25, HCSO deputies conducted a traffic stop on I-95 near the Rt. 24 underpass. During the traffic stop, the driver, and sole occupant of the vehicle, began to pull away from the deputy who had approached the passenger side of the vehicle, dragging the deputy as the driver fled the scene.  

The deputy that was dragged, DFC Austin Gentry, has been employed by HCSO since 2012.  He suffered minor injuries but was still able to return to his patrol car and pursue the fleeing driver. Gentry was later transported to University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Hospital where he was treated and released with minor injuries.

The suspect continued onto Rt. 152 before turning right onto Old Joppa Road. At this time, additional deputies, with assistance from the Maryland State Police, responded to assist. Tire spike strips were deployed at the intersection of Whitaker Mill Road and Old Joppa Road.

The driver failed to stop at the intersection, striking Sr. Deputy J. Nate Gerres, and other vehicles in the intersection. Sr. Deputy Gerres, is assigned to the Warrant Apprehension Unit and has been a member of the Agency since July 2004. Sr. Deputy Gerres was airlifted to the University of Maryland R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, for non-life threatening injures to his lower leg. No other officers or civilians were injured.

“[Gerres] probably went in the air 15 to 20 feet, thankfully landing in a grassy area,” Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said.  ~ CBS News in Baltimore

The suspect, identified as Jacob Michael Seaman, 33, of Abingdon, Maryland, was arrested following a brief foot pursuit.  CBS News also reported that police recovered a small amount of drugs, less than 10 grams, from Seaman’s vehicle.

Detectives charged Seaman with attempted 1st and 2nd degree murder, 1st and 2nd degree assault, assault on Law Enforcement Officers and reckless endangerment. He was transported to the Harford County Detention Center, where he is currently being held on no bond, after his initial appearance in front of a District Court Commissioner.

(Source and Jacob Michael Seaman Mugshot: HCSO)

~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter