Prince George’s County police are crediting an off-duty officer and his wife for their help in halting a violent crime spree.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — Police have charged a Glen Burnie man with 66 offenses in connection with a Friday shooting spree that terrorized residents across Prince George’s County and injured two.
They say additional charges against 68-year-old Larry James Simpson may be pending.
Two people were injured during the flurry of incidents, that included multiple shootings and carjackings.
On Saturday, police provided a narrative of the day’s events as they unfolded.
They credited the actions of an off-duty Prince George’s County police officer, who saw one of the carjackings and tailed Simpson. The officer also reportedly called his wife, who is a Prince George’s County police officer.
They say the teamwork enabled law enforcement to track Simpson in real time, which ultimately led to his arrest.
Police were initially alerted around 2:30 p.m. when a caller reported seeing a man pointing what police described as a “long gun” out of a car window on Pierce Avenue in College Park.
Witnesses alleged that he also fired several shots.
They say Simpson later shot at a car with a 64-year-old man in it on Riverdale road and BW Parkway in Riverdale. The man was injured when a bullet struck a car window, showering glass on him. The man was taken to a local hospital, but police do not believe his injuries are life threatening.
Shortly afterward, Simpson crashed into a vehicle at 67th Avenue and Patterson Street in Riverdale.
After Simpson’s car flipped during the crash, he got out and carjacked another vehicle. During that carjacking, Simpson reportedly fired his gun at four people, striking one. That victim – who police only described as a man — was critically injured. On Saturday, police said he is expected to survive.
Afterward, Simpson allegedly shot at a woman on Kenilworth Avenue and Good Luck Road in Riverdale, and seized her car. That woman was not injured.
The string of violent incidents ended when Simpson tried to carjack a vehicle in the 9000 block of Edmonston Road in Greenbelt. There, Simpson reportedly fired his gun at the off-duty officer trailing him.
With the help of Park Police, Prince George’s County officers took Simpson into custody.
Police also recovered what they described as an AR-15 style rifle.
Simpson was transported to the hospital with injuries that police believe were inflicted during a car crash.
After being released, Simpson was jailed on charges including 16 counts of attempted first degree murder and 16 counts of attempted second degree murder.
Police say they’re still gathering information.
If you have information and would like to speak to a Gun Crimes Unit detective, call (301) 772-8960.
Anyone with information may also contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device), or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous. Please refer to case number 26-0025767.