On April 25, 2017 two Prince George’s County brothers were sentenced for their involvement in stealing a car from Greenbelt, Maryland and driving it to Queen Anne’s County while drunk, then striking a State Highway worker. On February 24, 2017 Antonio Saldana-Lima, of Lanham, Maryland was sentenced to serve four (4) years of incarceration at the Division of Corrections after being convicted of Second Degree Assault and Driving Under the Influence, as a subsequent offender. His brother, Hector Saldana-Lima, also of Lanham, Maryland was sentenced to nine (9) months of incarceration at the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center after being convicted of felony theft between $1,000 to under $10,000. These cases were prosecuted by Deputy State’s Attorney Michael “Mick” Cuches.
On November 15, 2016 around 2:30 a.m. an off-duty Prince George’s County Police Officer was traveling home to the eastern shore from work on eastbound Rt. 50. While in Anne Arundel County in the area of Rowe Boulevard he observed a white Honda Accord 4-door accelerate at a high rate of speed past him. The vehicle was drifting back and forth from lane to lane almost colliding with other vehicles. As the vehicle passed the exit to Bay Dale Drive, AA County, the Honda made an aggressive move towards a Chevrolet Suburban by pulling directly into its path and slamming on the brakes. The Suburban was able to avoid the Honda by swerving out of the way. A passenger in the Honda was then seen throwing an object at the Suburban. The Honda continued thru the toll plaza and onto the Bay Bridge, accelerating to a high rate of speed. Once the vehicle crossed the Bay Bridge it exited onto Rt. 8 heading South. Route 8 was under construction at the time with a repaving operation during the overnight hours. Several workers were on foot in the construction zone area. The off duty officer was in contact with Maryland State Police about the actions he had observed and the vehicle’s current location.
A flag man stopped the south bound traffic in front of the Shore Stop at Kent Manor Drive. The Honda was the first car stopped. When the occupants were advised they needed to remained stopped for a short period of time the Honda suddenly accelerated and attempted to make an abrupt U-turn, striking the flag man in doing so. The vehicle then entered Rt. 50. Maryland State Police Troopers were able to stop the vehicle in the area of South Piney Road. The driver of the vehicle was found to be Antonio Saldana-Lima, the front seat passenger was Hector Saldana-Lima, and another individual was in the rear seating area.
A strong odor of alcoholic beverage could be detected on the driver’s breath. The driver stated he was unaware that he had struck a State Highway worker. The Trooper noticed that the driver’s eyes were glassy and bloodshot as well as having slurred speech. A license check revealed that the driver also had a suspended and revoked license. The Trooper noticed the right front passenger window was shattered and inside the vehicle were numerous beer bottles. The Trooper also observed that the steering column was partially dismantled and there were no keys in the vehicle. Upon questioning, Hector Saldana-Lima admitted that the car was stolen and that the three occupants had been driving around, drinking and having a good time before getting lost.
Antonio Saldana-Lima refused to submit to a chemical breath test.
The registered owner of the vehicle confirmed that she last saw her car in the parking lot of her apartment complex in Greenbelt, Maryland the night prior to the incident. She did not know any of the individuals who stole the car.