Video shows Silver Spring chase suspect driving on sidewalk, nearly hitting pedestrians

SILVER SPRING, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - Terrifying video shows a suspect nearly striking multiple pedestrians on a sidewalk in Montgomery County while leading police on a chase in a stolen van, according to officials.

The video, sent to FOX 5 by a viewer, shows a white van driving onto a sidewalk next to a bus stop at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Forest Glen Road in Silver Spring on Friday.

One pedestrian is caught on camera sprinting to get out of the way of the van while it comes very close to multiple people waiting for the bus.

Shortly after the van passes out of the shot, two police officers following the suspect move into the frame and continue the pursuit.

Montgomery County police said they were called to the K-Mart at 14014 Connecticut Ave. for a report of a shoplifter who had fled the scene in a Chevrolet Express van at about 1:30 p.m. The van was reported stolen out of the District, according to officials.

Shortly after the first shoplifting call, authorities were dispatched to another theft report, this time at the CVS located at 12359 Georgia Ave. The suspect and getaway vehicle matched the description in the previous theft, officials said.

An officer spotted the van at about 2 p.m. heading southbound on Georgia Avenue. Officers attempted to apprehend the suspect when he was stopped a traffic light at Georgia Avenue and Forest Glen Road, but the suspect allegedly rammed the two police vehicles.

The stolen van then continued through the intersection and struck a Volkswagen GTI. The driver of the Volkswagen was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The suspect drove onto the I-495 ramp going the wrong direction and then continued on I-495 Eastbound heading toward Prince George's County.

The driver was traveling on the right shoulder of the interstate until he hit a large puddle of standing water, causing the suspect to lose control and swerve into the main lanes of I-495, striking a Tesla X just prior to University Boulevard East.

The suspect was taken into custody by officers as he attempted to flee the stolen van. The driver and passenger of the Tesla X were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect, identified by officials as 48-year-old Alfred Reeves of Oxon Hill, has been charged with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, one count each of motor vehicle theft, larceny and destruction of property, and several traffic violations.