Troopers Arrest Laytonsville Man Armed with Gun and Knife

A 46-year-old Laytonsville man was arrested Tuesday in Washington County after he reportedly struck at least two cars on I-270 and I-70 and then confronted troopers while armed with both a gun and a knife, a Maryland State Police statement said.

Ted A. MacDonald is being charged with reckless endangerment, second-degree assault, transporting/carrying a concealed weapon and multiple traffic violations, the statement said. He will be taken for an initial appearance before a court commissioner.

Shortly after 10:30 a.m., state police received numerous calls for a black Ford F-150 pickup that had rammed at least one vehicle on northbound I-270 at the Urbana exit, police said. A lookout was issued for the vehicle and troopers began a search for the truck.

About 10:50 a.m., more calls were received reporting another car was struck by a black F-150 on westbound I-70 near Frederick, police said. The information was relayed to troopers from the Hagerstown Barrack, who spotted the truck on I-70 near U.S. 40.

Troopers followed the truck and tried to stop it before I-81, police said.  The driver, later identified as MacDonald, stopped the truck and got out, but then immediately jumped back into the truck and fled.  Troopers kept the truck in sight as he exited north onto Md. 63, where he drove through several red lights, police said.

MacDonald stopped the truck on Md. 63 and immediately got out carrying a loaded handgun. Troopers ordered him to drop the gun and he threw it into the bed of the truck, police said.

MacDonald then pulled a folding knife out of his pocket and taunted troopers with it, police said. After several more orders to drop the knife, the MacDonald dropped it. At that time, troopers approached and tried to arrest him. MacDonald initially resisted, but was quickly taken into custody.  Troopers recovered a .40-caliber handgun and two fully loaded magazines, police said.

MacDonald refused any medical assistance or transport by ambulance for a checkup.  No troopers were injured.

There were no reports of injuries for the occupants of the vehicles that were struck. At this time, troopers are aware of only two vehicles.

The investigation is continuing.  Additional charges are possible.

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