Prince George's County Volunteer Fire Chief Arrested After Police Chase

WALDORF, MD — A Prince George's County volunteer fire chief, Matthew Reginald Fowler, was arrested and charged after allegedly threatening to slash his girlfriend's tires and fleeing from police twice while driving one of the fire department vehicles early Tuesday morning.

Officers with the Charles County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the 2500 block of Lisa Dr. in Waldorf at about 4:50 a.m. Tuesday for a report of a man threatening to slash the tires on his girlfriend's car. The suspect was identified as Fowler, 49, of Waldorf, who is the Volunteer Chief of the Silver Hill Fire Department.

Police initiated a traffic stop on Fowler, but he fled in a marked fire department vehicle, police said. Officers pursued Fowler a short distance, but stopped when he entered Prince George's County.

While officers continued to investigate, they received another call at 6:11 a.m. reporting that Fowler returned to Lisa Drive. Officers responded and attempted to stop the suspect, but he fled again, police said. Officers were then able to stop Fowler about a mile away.

Fowler was taken into custody and transported to the Charles County Detention Center. He was charged with 22 traffic violations, including negligent driving and reckless driving, police said. The investigation is ongoing.

Photo: Fowler via Charles County Sheriff's Office