Flavio Lanuza, 27, of Laurel stole a Maryland State Highway Administration tow truck during a hit-and-run response on I-495 on February 16, 2024 and led police on a 30-minute chase through multiple counties, crashing into at least 15 vehicles including police cruisers before being stopped, according to WJLA. Lanuza was sentenced to 10 years; a civilian and a Montgomery County police officer were hospitalized with minor injuries.
Operator takeaway
A stolen MDSHA tow truck used as a battering ram through 15 vehicles — secure your keys and lock your cab every time you step away from the truck, because a stolen wrecker becomes a weapon.