A Virginia man wanted in Maryland on felony charges dragged the state trooper who stopped him down a Somerset County road Thursday afternoon, but was arrested after a short pursuit and standoff.

George M. Taylor, 23, of Horntown, Va., was wanted by police for first- and second-degree assault, use of a handgun in the commission of a felony and reckless endangerment.

Shortly before 12:30 p.m. Thursday, a Maryland State Trooper assigned to the Princess Anne Barracks stopped a Mercury passenger car with Virginia tags for speeding on Rt. 667 north of Charles Barnes Road, just north of Pocomoke City.  The driver, who was the lone occupant, was identified as Taylor.  The trooper ran a wanted check and found that Taylor was wanted in Worcester County.

The preliminary State Police investigation indicates that as the trooper returned to the car and ordered Taylor out at gunpoint, Taylor put the car in drive.  The trooper immediately reached into the car and attempted to put the car back into park.  Taylor refused to submit to the commands of the trooper and drove off, dragging the trooper a short distance alongside the car.

In fear for his life, the trooper fired one shot from his Department-issued .40 caliber pistol at the rear tire of the vehicle.  The round struck the tire and deflated it.  The trooper was able to disengage himself from the moving vehicle.

The trooper returned to his marked patrol car and pursued the suspect, who drove from Rt. 667 onto Overholt Road.  About two miles from the original stop, Taylor drove his car behind a residence and shed in the 3200-block of Overholt Road.  He briefly ran towards the shed before running into the house.

Troopers surrounded the house and ordered Taylor to come out.  About 15 minutes later, Taylor came out and surrendered without further incident. Neither Taylor nor the trooper who made the traffic stop was injured in the incident.

Troopers found a handgun near the shed where Taylor had first run.  Troopers have verified the gun belongs to Taylor, as does a small quantity of suspected marijuana found in the house.  Taylor is believed to know the people who lived in the residence.  The car he was driving apparently belongs to his father and was not reported stolen.

Taylor was transported to the Princess Anne Barracks for processing.  He will be charged by troopers at the Princess Anne Barracks and taken before a District Court commissioner for a bond hearing.

The incident is being investigated by investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and the Internal Affairs Unit due to the trooper’s use of his sidearm, as is procedure.  The trooper will be placed on routine administrative leave which is also procedure.