Prince George’s County police on Monday identified the burglary suspects accused of dragging a police officer across a four-lane highway while fleeing the scene.
Authorities said the two Maryland men arrested were Dennis Burkett, 51, of Brandywine, and Robert Burkett Jr., 50, of Temple Hills.
Both suspects are charged with attempted murder, breaking and entering, auto theft and other charges in connection to the incident that occurred Sunday.
Police said officers were patrolling in Clinton at about 1:50 a.m. when they noticed a burgundy van had backed up at the front door of a closed gas station.
Authorities said two suspects darted out of the store moments after the officers turned on their police lights.
One of the officers tried to order Dennis Burkett out of the driver’s seat, police said, but the suspect sped off while the officer was caught in the door frame.
Another officer fired one shot at Dennis Burkett, hitting the driver. Police said the suspect continued to speed off while the first officer remained tangled in the door and was dragged across four lanes of Crain Highway.
The officer managed to become dislodged from the van at an intersection close to the burglary scene.
Authorities said police chased after the accused thieves for more than 30 minutes before the van became disabled near the corner of Branch Avenue and Bonita Street in Temple Hills.
Dennis Burkett was taken to the hospital to be treated for his gunshot wound, police said.
The officer who was dragged was also taken to a hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the suspects left behind a pry bar and other burglary tools inside the gas station. Authorities also said the store’s ATM had been tampered with.
Robert Burkett Jr. admitted his role in the burglary, the attempt to flee from officers and helping steal the van from a church in Clinton late Saturday, according to police.
Detectives said the suspects’ methods are similar to those found in over a dozen burglary cases throughout the county. Investigators are trying to determine if the suspects are connected to those incidents.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.