Authorities were still searching Sunday for one of the two men who slipped out of police custody this weekend.
Frederick County Sheriff?s Deputies continued their search for Daniel James Cadden, 26, of Finksburg, who was arrested at 7 a.m. Friday following a single-vehicle accident in the 12300 block of Harney Road near Emmittsburg in East Frederick County. Cadden is wanted in Carroll County for failing to appear in court.
Handcuffed and in the back seat of a deputy?s patrol car, Cadden climbed into the front seat and drove away, the sheriff?s office said. The car, undamaged and with all weapons accounted for, was found a mile away.
Anyone with information about Cadden is asked to contact the Frederick County Sheriff?s Office.
Meanwhile, Maryland State Police said they arrested Eric L. Berger, 26, with a last known address in New Windsor, on Friday.
Berger allegedly escaped from a trooper?s cruiser Thursday night after being taken into custody for driving under the influence following a wreck on Hoods Mill Road in Sykesville, near the Carroll-Howard County line.
The investigating trooper handcuffed Berger behind his back and placed him in the front seat of the patrol car. The trooper, who was the only officer on the scene, then walked back to the crash to continue his investigation.
A train went by on tracks only a few feet from the road, and when the trooper returned to the car a few moments later, he found the handcuffed Berger had left the vehicle ? shutting the door behind him.
The following afternoon, Berger was found at a friend?s house along Hoods Mill Road. He was charged with second-degree escape, resisting arrest, theft under $500 and driving under the influence. He was transported to Carroll County Central Booking Center for processing and his initial appearance before a court commissioner.
Sgt. Timothy Selby of the state police Westminster barracks said it?s “uncommon” for suspects to flee once they are handcuffed and in patrol vehicles. He also said that placing a suspect in the front seat is just as secure as the back seat, and follows procedure.
