This story, originally published on March 11, 2024 at 4:02 p.m., was updated at 5 p.m. to add comments from Montgomery County police spokesperson Shiera Goff.
Two Montgomery County police cruisers collided outside Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville while responding to report of an auto theft on Monday, according to county police spokesperson Shiera Goff.
As of 3:15 p.m. Monday, the 14200 block of Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville is closed due to crash, according to county police. Police advised on X that drivers should expect delays and seek an alternate route.
Around 1:39 p.m., officers found a stolen vehicle in Paint Branch High School’s parking lot and attempted to apprehend the suspects who were trying to flee in a stolen car, according to Goff. The suspects then fled on foot and officers chased after them, eventually arresting the two individuals, Goff said.
The suspects were taken into custody around 2:50 p.m., according to police radio.
During the call, two police cruisers collided with each other in the 14200 block of Columbia Pike, according to Goff.
“I’m afraid the car is going to catch on fire,” one of the officers said over the radio when requesting Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel to the scene.
Both cruisers had to be towed, and airbags deployed in at least one of the cars, according to police radio communications.
The two officers in the cruisers were transported to a nearby hospital for evaulation, Goff said.
According to Goff, the incident did not involve Montgomery County Public Schools, and the high school was not placed on lockdown.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.