PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — A police response to a pre-dawn burglary alarm at a Popeyes restaurant led to a tense parking lot chase and the arrest of an Upper Marlboro man on drug charges. Deputies said the situation was complicated by the fact the suspect was driving a 26-foot Penske box truck with three juveniles also inside the cab.
According to charging documents, the incident began Friday, Aug. 1, at about 4:11 a.m., when a Calvert County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a burglary alarm at the Popeyes on Harrow Lane. As the deputy pulled into the adjoining Fox Run Shopping Center, a large Penske truck allegedly accelerated from the Popeyes at a high rate of speed.
Deputies said the truck swerved erratically through the parking lot before finally stopping. A felony stop was conducted, during which the deputy drew his handgun and ordered the driver out of the vehicle. The driver, identified as Mario Alberto Lopez-Avendano, 36, of Upper Marlboro, was reportedly noncompliant, periodically turning to look at the deputy instead of following commands. Deputies said the deputy then holstered his firearm and drew his Taser to gain compliance.
Lopez-Avendano was detained in handcuffs. Deputies said three juveniles were also found inside the cab of the truck and were later safely released to a family member. While speaking with Lopez-Avendano, deputies said they retrieved his wallet from a book bag inside the truck with his consent. According to charging documents, as a deputy opened the wallet, a small transparent bag containing a white powdery substance, suspected to be cocaine, fell out.
Deputies described Lopez-Avendano as “profusely sweating and very irate.” He was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (not cannabis). That misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Court records show Lopez-Avendano was released on a $1,000 unsecured personal bond later that day. A trial is scheduled for Oct. 22, 2025.
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“Court records show Lopez-Avendano was released on a $1,000 unsecured personal bond later that day. ”
Gotta love the releasing on $no payment$ unsecured bonds.