Man Charged for 'Huffing', Starting Police Chase

One man was arrested after he started a police chase through an Ellicott City neighborhood, leading to the damage of a police car. During the incident one officer fired a shot, but did not injure anyone, police said.

Howard County Police are charging Sean Brian Witt, 37, of Duff Court, with attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, DUI, drug charges and several traffic violations, according to a statement released by police spokesperson Sherry Llewellyn. Witt is a resident of the area where the police chase occurred.

According to Police, passers-by spotted a man huffing an inhalent from a can at about 11:25 a.m. inside a Buick Century.

Initial reports were that he was in the parking lot of Normandy Shopping Center, but police learned through the investigation that he was actually stopped in the middle of Normandy Drive at Mt. Etna Circle, according to Llewellyn.  

Callers told police that they approached the car and saw the occupant inhaling something and that he wouldn’t open the car door or move from the middle of the street. 

When an officer arrived and approached Witt, he fled, driving “erratically” through traffic, Lewellyn said. 

According to police, Witt drove on Old Frederick Road to Mt. Hebron Drive then got stuck on Furrow Ave., at a dead end. He then rear-ended a police car and drove at officers, leading one officer to fire a gunshot; Witt was not hit, police said.

Residents on Furrow Ave. described a chaotic scene with multiple police cars chasing after Witt.

Terry Tittsworth said he was sitting outside in his driveway at the cul-de-sac on Furrow Ave. when he heard sirens approaching. The suspect and police cars went around the cul-de-sac, said Tittsworth.

"A police car went between a fire hydrant and a tree in my yard," said Tittsworth. Tracks were still present where the police car slipped through on Tuesday afternoon.

Tittsworth said he later heard what sounded like a gunshot and commotion coming from behind his house a short while later.

Just down the road, George and Sue Kleinedinst saw the chase from their driveway.

George said he saw a vehicle drive over his neighbor's yard at the intersection of Parsley Dr. and Furrow Ave., then continue up the cul-de-sac, followed by police.

Soon after, said George, "Next thing you know, he comes back down. There were five cop cars behind him, I counted them." Sue said the suspect's vehicle was "flying" down Furrow Ave.