Capital Crescent Trail Attack Case: Criminal Complaint Filed

ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County prosecutors have filed a criminal information complaint against the bicyclist charged with attacking teenagers on the Capital Crescent Trail in June, WTOP reports.

Filing such a complaint, according to the outlet, usually indicates that both parties are working toward a plea deal.

In June, Anthony Brennan III, 60, of Kensington, was caught on video assaulting three college students who were posting flyers against police brutality along the widely popular bike trail. Brennan could be seen trying to forcibly grab flyers and a roll of tape from a woman before using his bicycle to charge at another victim who was filming.

He turned himself into police and apologized following the incident.

"I am sick with remorse for the pain and fear I caused the victims on the trail, and online," Brennan said. "I am committed to making amends by addressing, through counseling, the underlying issues that led to my abhorrent behavior."

Maryland-National Capital Park Police said they received hundreds of tips that pointed to Brennan as the suspected attacker. When an arrest warrant was served, Brennan turned himself into detectives and was charged with three counts of second-degree assault, court records reveal. Each of them carry up to 10 years in prison.

Brennan's attorneys said he knows his "outrageous behavior ... was unacceptable and wrong," and that the "outrage felt in our community and across our country is completely justified."

Here's what else Patch knows about Brennan:

His neighbors helped catch him

According to a statement of charges obtained by Patch, Park Police received tips from people who said they knew him personally for more than 15 years. Other tipsters included neighbors who knew Brennan to be an avid biker.

He was being watched by Park Police

Around 8:15 a.m. on Friday, an officer posted outside Brennan's Kensington home saw him get into a car with another man, according to charging documents. The officer was instructed to stop, identify, and photograph Brennan if a violation was observed.

The vehicle then ran a stop sign. The officer followed the pair to the Holy Redeemer Church on Connecticut Avenue, where he conducted a traffic stop. According to officials, Brennan agreed to exit the vehicle and get his picture taken by police.

When the officer asked if he knew what this was about, Brennan said no. He then stated he loved the police, but refused to speak about the incident at the Capital Crescent Trail when pressed further.

Brennan and his attorney talked with police later that day and allowed authorities to search his home for evidence.

"Brennan led officers to several items of evidentiary value, to include the bicycle used, sunglasses, bike helmet, cycling shoes, blue bandana, water bottle (and) shorts that were seen on the suspect in the video," charging documents reveal. "Brennan also led officers to a black bookbag in his basement office that contained the fliers and tape that were taken from the victims."

He has been fired from his job

MadeToOrder, a California-based company that specializes in the sales and creative sourcing of branded products, said that Brennan has been fired from his job.