Two people acting suspiciously in a stolen vehicle were arrested on the inner-loop of the Capital Beltway near the Greenbelt Metro Station exit Sept. 7 after they refused to respond to directions to exit.
Shortly before 8 a.m., a State Highway Administration worker stopped to check a tan 2000 Honda Accord that appeared to have run out of fuel. When the two occupants did not respond, the Maryland State Police at the College Park Barrack were contacted. Troopers responding to the scene used the CAPWIN computer systems inside their patrol vehicles to run registration plates, and they determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Bladensburg.
The trooper on the scene observed the two individuals moving around suspiciously inside the car. They continued to crouch down, possibly feigning sleep and refused to exit the stolen vehicle when he ordered them to do so. Troopers, officers from Prince George’s County, Greenbelt City and Morningside Police Departments and two Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers rapidly set up a perimeter in case the two individuals were armed with weapons.
Based on the peculiar actions of the individuals and their refusal to engage in any form of dialogue, troopers could not determine the level of danger they posed to the public. In fear for their safety and the safety of passing motorists, both loops of the Beltway were forced to be closed until the situation could safely be resolved. Police loud speakers were used to broadcast orders to surrender in both English and Spanish, but still the two refused to exit.
At 8:55 a.m., a team employing tactical equipment approached the vehicle and took the two individuals into custody. The two are identified as Donnie Lee Amis, 50, of Washington D.C., and Cassandra Albritton, 44, of Mitchelville.
They were transported to the Maryland State Police Barrack in College Park for processing, where they were charged with auto theft, theft and drug related offenses. The two are currently at the Central Processing Center in Hyattsville awaiting a hearing with the District Court Commissioner.
No weapons were found but small quantities of suspected heroin or cocaine and marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia, were discovered in the vehicle. Investigators have been unable to determine a motive for the actions of the two individuals.